Effective, Affordable Workers’ Compensation Claims Management

Posted by Paradigm on May 30, 2012 under Workers’ Compensation News | Be the First to Comment

Don’t leave the management of workers’ compensation claims to chance, or to whichever employee is available to handle the paperwork at the time. Create and implement an organized system for handling workers’ compensation claims, so employees know their role.

The duties of each individual involved in the claim should be defined and provided in writing, so they know exactly what to do when a claim is activated. Assigning roles and responsibilities helps to position your business well for managing workers’ compensation claims costs.

Management Roles and Responsibilities

Consider the following roles and responsibilities when preparing to address workers’ compensation claims:

• Claims coordinator responsibilities: A claims coordinator should establish a transitional duty program so that when an injury occurs, impact on productivity is minimized. He or she should be responsible for notifying all employees of accident-related procedures and arranging medical care in case of an accident. Afterward, they should act as a liaison with medical providers, interview an injured employee to understand how the injury occurred, compile all paperwork, maintain contact with the injured worker during his or her time off, arrange for possible changes in duty upon return to work, and even send get-well cards. In other words, the claims coordinator follows each claim from beginning to end.
• Post-accident responsibilities of the supervisor: Field supervisors should be charged with training each employee on what to do in case of an emergency. An injured employee’s direct supervisor should accompany the injured employee to the appropriate medical provider, offer that provider a work ability form, and obtain the completed document from the medical provider’s office.  After the acute phase of care, a supervisor should monitor an employee’s return to work status and ensure that modified duty or transitional duty is undertaken in accordance with any limitation ordered by the medical provider.
• Management roles and responsibilities: Every level of management should be involved in organizing and implementing an annual safety program, as well as implementing risk management practices on a daily basis. Management teams should meet on a bi-annual or annual basis to assess the current plan, examine the insurance carrier, determine what medical providers should be used, and track and report lost work days. These meetings can help prepare a company for future accidents and keep costs in check.

Company-Wide Accountability Lowers Workers’ Compensation Claims

Remember, every supervisor should be responsible for ensuring that employees are involved in a culture of safety and comply with all safety regulations. Each employee has the responsibility to work safely, be involved in their own workers’ compensation claim, and comply with doctors’ orders upon return to work.

It may even benefit managers to review the actual monthly and ongoing costs of workers’ compensation, so they understand exactly what is at stake for the company. This information should be communicated to employees in terms of what additional sales or additional production is necessary to cover the costs of workers compensation’ claims. Such concrete information can help encourage a culture of safety and minimize injuries.

Paradigm is always ready to assist with your complex medical needs. For more information on our full service offerings, contact us via our website or call 888-621-6602. We also invite you to join our social communities on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.