workers compensation
June 13, 2024
U.S. Job Growth Expected to Spike Workers’ Comp Claims
Employers will likely face an increase in workers’ compensation claims in light of the U.S. Labor Department’s May 2024 report indicating the country added 272,000 new jobs. “New employees not only equal more workers’ comp premiums, they are significantly more likely to incur a claim,” Joe Paduda, owner of Health Strategy Associates, said in an interview with PropertyCasualty360.com. “Jobs in health care and...
May 17, 2024
Is Your Pool Ready for a Workers’ Compensation Catastrophe?
Catastrophic work injuries occur every day to many employers of all sizes and occupations. Regardless of the size or type of membership served, every pool faces this exposure. These life-changing claims are complex, individualistic, and require much higher standards of coordination and communication. Not having a plan in place to respond to a catastrophic injury...
May 9, 2024
Behavioral Health Issues Add Costs and Delay Injured Worker Recovery
Injured workers with identified behavioral health conditions experienced markedly longer return-to-work timelines and slower claims resolution compared to the average lost-time claim, according to an analysis by Sentry Insurance. Sentry analyzed over 45,000 workers’ compensation claims from 2012-2019, focusing on key health conditions, including chronic pain, chronic pain with medication, and psychosocial factors. Based on...
April 1, 2024
Most Common Questions of Workers’ Comp Claimants Show Where Change Is Needed
The most frequently asked questions in workers’ compensation claims reveal opportunities for improved communication and efficiency in the claims process, according to an analysis by Hi Marley, a communication platform for insurers. Using the findings can help insurance carriers and employers to streamline operations, support faster recovery for injured workers, manage expectations and provide peace of mind, Hi Marley stated. The study categorized inbound questions from workers’ compensation claimants within the Hi Marley platform. The most common inquiries related to payment status and amount (26%), contact with the adjuster (24%), and provider scheduling and approval activities (22%). Other inquiries from claimants focused on process explanation (14%), benefits (9%), and documentation (5%). These findings suggest that many of the most common questions could be addressed through proactive outreach, automation, and standardization of communications. For instance, carriers can use predefined message templates for scheduling reminders, which can support faster recovery and reduce claim cycle time and costs. Automated updates on the claim process and payment status can help manage expectations and provide peace of mind for injured workers. “With most people dealing with an accident on the job, it’s their first...
February 12, 2024
Types of Transitional Duties in Return-to-Work Programs
When an employee experiences an occupational illness or injury, their eventual return to the workplace can create considerable challenges, putting significant stress on both the individual and their employer. Nevertheless, return-to-work (RTW) programs can help alleviate these concerns by supporting staff as they reintegrate into the workforce. These programs may entail having an injured employee...
January 23, 2024
Best Practices for Return-to-Work Programs
One of the biggest components of workers’ compensation is an effective return-to-work (RTW) program. Eliminating injuries and illnesses is paramount for reducing workers’ compensation costs, but after an incident, an RTW program can significantly reduce workers’ compensation costs for employers and improve the lives of employees by getting them back to work when there is...
December 7, 2023
OSHA Form 300A Posting Requirements Begin Feb. 1
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers subject to its recordkeeping requirements to post copies of their OSHA Form 300A between Feb. 1 and April 30 of each year. The OSHA Form 300A, also known as the “Summary of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses,” must be completed by Feb. 1 using data from the...
June 5, 2020
Benefits of Workers’ Compensation Insurance
BENEFITS OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE As an employer, it’s your responsibility to keep employees healthy and safe on the job. But even with adequate controls in place, accidents can still happen – resulting in costly workplace injuries and illnesses. That’s why it’s crucial for your organization to have workers’ compensation insurance. This form of coverage...
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