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April 2012:
| Claim Handling: Workers Compensation Best Practices by WCK Staff“Best practices” are often referenced in the handling of workers compensation claims without an explanation as to what they are or what the insurance industry standards are for handling workers compensation claims. While “best practices” vary slightly from insurance company to insurance company, here is a synopsis of the basic standards of how the insurance adjuster handles workers compensation claims.Read complete article. |
March 2012:
| Management Roles and Responsibilities In A Workers Compensation Program by WCK StaffEmployers who take control and direct the management of their workers compensation injury claims are most likely to see the best results in cost savings.Read complete article. |
December 2011:
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The Wellness Program: Proven Methods to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Claims The majority of the quarter-million dollar and half-million dollar workers compensation claims have a secondary medical issue that complicates recovery and extends the length of time the employee is disabled. |
August 2011:
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Three Ways to Cut Workers Comp Costs by Rebecca Shafer Limiting workers compensation claims costs requires finding and filling gaps within the process. To do so, you must work closely with your claims administrator. Here are three ways to cut costs. |
August 2011:
| Interstate Workers Compensation Insurance: Operating in Multiple States by WCK StaffMany employers – especially contractors, truckers, and sales companies – often have their headquarters (a/k/a the domiciled state) where the company was originally started, but perform most of their work in one or more other states. This can have an impact on what states you buy workers compensation insurance for and the cost of coverage. There are several questions you must ask in order to properly insure your multi-state company. Read complete article. |
May 2011:
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Managing the Medical Foods Dilemma A Progressive Medical Services Study Medical foods are increasingly being dispensed to treat cases of chronic disorders and pain associated with on-the-job injuries. Limited clinical evidence of their effectiveness, how they are regulated and ineffective measures to control dispensing, make managing medical foods challenging for workers compensation payors. Read complete article. (PDF opens in new window) |
May 2011:
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Reducing Narcotics Abuse in Workers Compensation On-the-job injuries often involve chronic pain and long-term liability for workers compensation payors. Many times, pain from a chronic injury is treated with narcotics. According to the 2010 Progressive Medical Drug Spend Analysis, narcotic spending accounts for 34 percent of workers compensation medication expenses. Read complete article. |
October 2010:
| “Pay As You Go” Workers’ Compensation Programs by WCK StaffOften, many small businesses don’t know what their payroll will be over the next 12 months. This problem has led several workers’ compensation insurance companies to create “Pay As You Go” programs for the companies they insure. Read complete article. |
September 2010:
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“Sooner Rather Than Later: In the Year 2020 Claim Control Will Begin Earlier in the Process“ by Rebecca Shafer, J.D.As more companies take on more risk through higher risk retentions (higher deductibles and self-insurance) they will likely become more interested in controlling their costs. The best way to do that is to TAKE CHARGE of events EARLY in the life of a claim.. Read complete article. |
June 2010:
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“Small Businesses and Workers’ Compensation: Help Your Customers Reduce Their WC Costs“ by Rebecca Shafer, J.D.Information to help agents learn how to help “small business” clients, who can least afford financial errors, reduce Workers’ Compensation costs by focusing on two key areas: safety and post-injury response. Read complete article. |
May 2010:
| “What Happens After You Buy Workers’ Comp Insurance?“ by WCK StaffAfter your workers’ compensation policy is purchased you can rest assured that your financial obligations for a work-related injury claim will be met and associated expenses paid, however, there’s still work to be done.Read complete article. |
April 2010:
| “Must an Employer Maintain a Safe Workplace?“ by WCK StaffWhether or not you purchase workers’ comp insurance, it will be your responsibility to have a safe workplace, so you should also have an injury response plan in place. Safe workplaces reduce the cost of your insurance premiums because there will be fewer injuries in your workplace.Read complete article. |
March 2010:
| “Who is Covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance“ by WCK StaffFiguring out who is considered a covered employee for purposes of workers compensation can often be a tricky matter and sometimes even a source of litigation when the subject of a claim.Read complete article. |
February 2010:
| “The Cost of Workers’ Compensation Insurance“ by WCK StaffWhile the cost of workers’ compensation insurance varies from state to state, the process to calculate the cost is about the same for all states. Learn about the key factors in the cost of work comp insurance.Read complete article. |
January 2010:
| “Buying Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage“ by WCK StaffSeven questions to help determine if your company needs to buy workers’ compensation insurance coverage. (It probably does!)Read complete article. |
November 2009:
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“On Foreign Ground: Insuring and Protecting Your Employees Abroad” by Rebecca A. Shafer, Esq.What to know if you are sending your employees to other countries on both short- and long-term assignments. |
October 2009:
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“5 Steps for Risk Managers to Contain & Control Costs“ by WCK StaffHow to explain the financial impact of Workers’ Compensation Insurance to upper management. |
July 2009:
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“Local Rx: Developing Return-to-Work Programs in Unionized Companies“ by Rebecca A. Shafer, Esq.In today’s competitive business environment, employers must be creative and determined in order to find a way around union restrictions. |
February 2009:
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“7 Ways to Make Medical Visits for WC Claims More Productive“ by WCK StaffSome thoughts from the MD’s perspective on how to make your employees’ visits with an occupational physician more productive. |
February 2009:
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“Workers’ Comp Success Depends on Quality Analysis“ by Rebecca Shafer, Esq.“Managers and executives often misidentify the cause of their organization’s excessive comp costs. Without a systematic assessment of your program, you may end up trying to implement solutions that are as misguided as looking for a nickel where you didn’t drop it.” |
November 2008:
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“Siete Razones Mayores Por La Que Costos de Compensación Laboral Son Tan Altos“ (Seven Reasons Workers Comp Costs are High) by Robert Elliott“El proceso de control para la reducción de costos para la compensación laboral, es muy comprensiva y utiliza todas las “herramientas” que vuestra compañía ofrezca. Es importante el saber el POR QUE los costos son tan altos, para que podáis crear un programa donde podáis tener control de ellos.” |
June 2008:
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“Step-by-Step Solutions to Standardization & Control with Powerful Online Workers’ Comp Tools“ by Rebecca Shafer, Esq“Controlling workers’ compensation costs starts with a thorough assessment, which is the most important part of the process. If you don’t understand what is driving the costs, you won’t be able to design an effective program to reduce those costs. “ |
May 2007 – National Underwriter:
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“WC Programs Need Tune Up” by Rebecca Shafer, Esq“Controlling workers’ compensation costs starts with a thorough assessment, which is the most important part of the process. If you don’t understand what is driving the costs, you won’t be able to design an effective program to reduce those costs. “ |
April 2007 – Risk & Insurance:
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“Grabbing Control of Workers’ Compensation and Litigation” by Rebecca Shafer, Esq“Rising workers’ comp costs are not a fact of life or a cost of doing business. There ARE many steps you can take to reduce your workers’ comp costs once you know your WC Target Score which is a numerical score much like your credit score. Step back and assess the problem before determining the appropriate solution.” |
January 2007 – Insurance Journal:
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“Proactive Agents Can Help Contractors and Subcontractors Reduce Workers’ Comp Costs” by Rebecca Shafer, Esq“Helping contractors and subcontractors reduce their workers’ comp costs focus on four key elements: accurately determine your WC weaknesses (get your WC Score), bring employees back to work as soon as they are medically able, stop fraud and abuse, and improve communications.” |
November 2006 – Risk Management Magazine:
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“Myths & Realities of Workers Compensation Cost Containment” by Rebecca Shafer, Esq“Management has heard for decades that there is nothing they can do to control workers compensation costs, but that’s a myth. The reality is companies can ‘take control’ of workers compensation just as easily as they take charge of other aspects of their company, by implementing tight procedures in their workplace when an injury occurs…” |
Spring 2006-Journal of Workers’ Compensation:
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“Beyond Occupational Medicine: Using a Medical Advisor to Bring Down Claims Costs” by Rebecca Shafer, Esq and David Dubin, MD
“A physician can be one of the most effective tools available. Not in the role you may think of as an occupational physician or treating doctor but as a company medical director or medical advisor who reviews workers’ compensation claim files …” |
Risk Management Magazine:
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“Claims and Litigation Management“ by Rebecca Shafer, Esq
“Managing claims and litigation is practically impossible without thorough account handling instructions…these represent the understanding between the insured and the adjusters…” |
February 2006 – Risk & Insurance Magazine:
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“Facing an Internal Affair” by Rebecca Shafer, Esq
“Proper sleuthing can dig up a wealth of inefficiencies in a workers’ compensation program. Here is a guide for what to look for…” |
November 2005 – Risk Management Magazine:
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“Treating the Whole Elephant” by Rebecca Shafer, Esq
“To succeed in workers compensation cost reduction you need to see the whole “elephant.” A well designed program can cut your workers compensation costs by 20% to 60%…” |
December 2005 – Best Review Magazine:
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“Before and After” by Rebecca Shafer, Esq
“Employers get saddled with high workers’ compensation costs when they have too many injuries that last too long. A program that can slash costs up to 50% or more…” |
Risk & Insurance Magazine:
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“Simplifying the Return-to-Work Maze” by Rebecca Shafer, Esq and Elizabeth Graham
“Keeping an employee at work, the company can realize significant cost reductions in workers’ compensation and long- and short-term disability…” |
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