How you can help injured employees return to work
Sometimes commercial insureds don’t give workers’ compensation too much thought – that is, until they’ve encountered a few claims and begin to see the impact on their business. At GC we take a more proactive approach and encourage our clients to do the same.
"With escalating medical inflation, growing litigation costs and a challenging work comp market, reducing these types of claims should be a priority for insurance professionals and policyholders alike," says Don Suominen, senior vice president of claims. "Unfortunately, some companies learn the hard way that these claims can impact their premiums and make them less ‘insurable’ in the future."
Among our medium and larger commercial accounts, we’re aggressively promoting transitional return-to-work (TRTW) programs. These programs aim to return employees to work in a safe and timely manner after an injury or illness by providing temporary, modified jobs that take into account their physical limitations. TRTWs have many benefits:
- Injured employees feel better about themselves and heal more quickly.
- Businesses improve productivity and employee morale and reduce the potential for litigation.
- Your agency provides its customers with a valuable service and protects your loss ratio.
- GC sees a reduction in claim costs.
One agency’s success
HNI Risk Services in New Berlin, Wis., is one of many agencies that has seen how beneficial TRTW programs can be for their insureds.
"We have several customers who recently implemented return-to-work programs and have already seen their claims frequency and claims severity reduced significantly," says Carrie Wergin, HNI corporate vice president. "Plus, employees have seen an overall change in company culture."
Carrie says that a large part of implementing TRTW programs is educating and communicating with the insured’s management and employees. She’s worked closely with Sandy Herrick, GC commercial lines account services representative, who lends program expertise and resources. GC can provide a PowerPoint presentation for company management, a model TRTW program that insureds can customize for their business, a return-to-work timeline and a list of what to do after a worker is injured.
"Our staff has helped implement hundreds of TRTW programs. We’re well equipped to develop a new program or update an existing plan for your customers," says Rich Kalina, vice president of commercial lines. "We encourage you to contact us with any commercial insured who has expressed interest in such a program."
Elements of a successful plan
A successful plan tracks injured workers’ progress, says Sheila McGraw, GC claim corporate manager. Once they are cleared by a doctor to perform modified, light duties, they return to work (sometimes part-time). Modified duties must include meaningful responsibilities, like answering customer calls or taking inventory. If companies don’t have suitable transitional duties, some have TRTW employees perform light-duty volunteer work at non-profit organizations.
Early intervention improvements
Internally we’ve started an early intervention process with nurses assisting on work comp claims. This allows for immediate channeling of injured workers to the appropriate medical providers skilled to handle their injuries and assist with transitional job duties. According to Sheila, this helps avoid situations where injured employees don’t seek the ideal treatment, such as treatment from an orthopedic specialist versus a chiropractor.
We have also enlisted the help of physician advisors to evaluate issues that might prolong the injured worker’s ability to return to work, so long-term plans can be established. Since the early intervention process began, we’ve already seen employees returning to work faster because they were able to get timely, appropriate care.
"Ultimately it comes down to education," Sheila says. "Once employers know how they can help get workers back on their feet, they’re usually willing to take that extra step. And we’re here to assist them throughout the process."
The numbers talk
The longer it takes to submit a first report of injury, the higher the odds of litigation.
– Risk and Insurance
Organizations can expect to save $3-10 for every dollar invested in return-to-work strategy.
– Washington Business Group on Health
There’s a direct correlation of TRTW program usage with a reduction in lost workdays.
– Upjohn Institute study
Employees who are away from work more than 12 weeks are 50 percent more likely not to ever return.
– National Underwriter
For more information please contact Anne M. Smith.