TIP OF THE WEEK
August 27, 2010
Did you know...?
Top 5 Solutions to Decrease Workers Compensation Costs
There are many ways an employer can decrease the cost of workers compensation. Here are the top five suggested ways to reduce cost:
#1: A Safety Program
The safety program reduces both the expense for workers compensation insurance and the hidden costs associated with workers comp (which are significantly higher than the workers comp premiums). A well managed safety program incorporating safety training, job hazard analysis, work-site evaluations/inspections and a safety specialist/safety committee will eliminate most workers comp claims by removing the causes or sources of injury. The accidents prevented by a strong safety program have much bigger impact on the financial profitability of your business by eliminating the hidden cost of workers compensation.
#2: Early Intervention
While most workers compensation claims will be eliminated through a strong safety program, when an injury does occur, early intervention by both the employer and the insurer can have a strong positive impact. Nurse Triage is an excellent way to get things off on the right foot. The triage nurse can make sure the employee gets the right level of care.
#3: Preferred Provider Network
The medical providers approved by the employer for emergency medical care should be posted throughout the work site. In the states permitting the employer to select the medical provider, treatment by a medical provider in the preferred provider network should be mandatory. In the states where the employee can select their own medical provider, a list of suggested medical providers should be posted. By directing the employee to a doctor in the preferred provider network, you are insuring the employee obtains medical care by a medical professional experienced in the treatment of work-related injuries. Doctors in a preferred provider network understand the importance of getting the employee back to work as soon as they are medically able to do so.
#4: Return to Work
A return to work policy starts before the accident happens. The employer should have a modified duty or light duty program established with varying job placement options available. When the injury occurs, the employer should be on the phone with the emergency medical provider advising the employee is on the way to the medical facility for treatment and to advise of the employer's desire to accommodate the employee's return to work with modified duty, if needed. If the employee is not released to return to work following the first medical treatment, the employer (or nurse case manager) should furnish the medical provider with a detailed job description. The employer and the adjuster (or nurse case manager) should plan the employee's return to work by modifying the job requirements to meet the employee's needs. Numerous studies show the sooner the employee is allowed to return to work, the lower the overall cost of the workers comp claim. A modified duty program allows the employee to remain active, expediting the recovery process. It also allows the employee to be productive, eliminating many of the hidden costs associated with workers comp noted above.
#5: Medical Case Management
The primary focus of medical case management is the coordinating and planning of the medical care to expedite the return of the employee to work or to reach the employee's maximum medical improvement. This is accomplished by assigning a nurse case manager to the claim to oversee the medical treatment provided to the employee. The nurse case manager's role in the workers compensation claim will often include: Facilitating the medical rehabilitation of the injured employee; In consultation with the treating physician, evaluate the options for the best treatment plan for the injured employee; Coordinating the medical care to achieve the best possible medical results in a cost-effective manner; Insuring the proper utilization of medical treatment; Providing guidance to the adjuster about the medical care needed; Monitoring the employee's medical progress; Acting as a liaison between the physicians, the employee and the insurer; Facilitating the communications between the employee, employer and physicians; Keeping the adjuster informed of the employee's medical status and progress; Meeting with the employee and the employer to complete a detailed job evaluation; Assisting the employer in identifying the return to work options. Coordinating the employee's return to work (either modified duty or full duty) with the employer, employee and physician.
These are just some of the suggestions
available to help reduce your employers work comp costs.
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FLU SHOTS – We are already receiving inquiries about flu shots for this fall. OHS-COMPCARE will offer seasonal flu shots to clients again in 2010. To be put on the list to be scheduled for an on-site or to learn more please contact client services at 816-561-2105 (option 1) or by email at customerservice@ohscompcare.com.
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***We are now open Saturdays at our Independence location from 9am – 1pm to serve your occupational medicine and urgent care needs. Our Independence location is open 5pm – 9pm Monday – Friday to serve your after hour needs as well***
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
To view the Tip of the Week in Spanish please visit our Tip of the Week library at http://www.ohscompcare.com/totw/.
To learn more about services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services
Team at (816) 561-2105 option 1 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com.
You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
Why choose us? Because OHS-COMPCARE has a physician on call 24/7/365 days a year to respond to our client's needs.
Adult Quick Care
is now on Facebook!
OHS-COMPCARE now featuring Adult Quick Care (Urgent Care Services) has seven (7) area clinical facilities:
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Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
816-761-4664 |
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After Hours Available *Now open Saturday 9am – 1pm |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
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Adult Quick Care provides Urgent Care to Adults and Adolescents Age 14 and Older.
No appointment is necessary at Adult Quick Care.
When you are sick or have a new injury, Adult Quick Care is your affordable, time saving choice for quality care.
To learn more about Adult Quick Care please call 816-559-6320 or visit www.adultquickcare.com.