Georgia Workers Comp Carrier Declared Insolvent

Georgia Workers Compensation insurance carrier, Southeastern US Insurance Company, has been declared insolvent. According to recent news out of Georgia, John Oxendine, the Georgia Insurance Commissioner, will act as the liquidator. This action has been approved by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas Campbell.

It's estimated approximately 3,000 Georgia employers will be impacted by this action. Southeastern US Insurance Company specialized in providing workers compensation coverage to organizations like hospitals, associations, public entities and private companies alike and it was reported they were the eighth largest workers comp provider in the state of Georgia.

So as of October 27, 2009, the date Judge Campbell approved the liquidation, all business with Southeastern US Insurance Company was required to cease. For further information about this liquidation contact the Georgia Insurance Commissioners office. Also here is a link with information about this liquidation.

North Carolina Workers Comp Rate Reduction

North Carolina Workers Compensation rates are going down! The North Carolina Rate Bureau sought and secured a workers comp rate reduction amounting to an average 10% reduction in workers comp rates for North Carolina employers. To take effect in April, this reduction will save employers an estimated $120 million and applies to employers who purchase their insurance coverage on the open market.

This news follows last years reduction which amounted to an approximately 4% savings for North Carolina employers.

Certainly a good trend in the cost of North Carolina workers comp insurance.

Tennessee Workers Comp - New Law for Contractors

Watch out when the government gets excited and tries to fix a problem! That's what's going on in the Tennessee Workers Compensation arena with a new law that was designed to level out the contractor playing field. This new law...to go into effect December 31, 2009, requires a sole proprietor to carry workers comp insurance. This law was originally intended to address the problem of workers comp stacking, where an employer would declare that their staff was in fact individual sole proprietors and fell outside the law requiring workers comp coverage be provided for all employees. In fact a poor attempt practiced by some contractors and used to skirt around the workers comp requirements that an employer provide coverage for their employees.

It's estimated that in this case the new law would force around 10,000 contractors to purchase workers compensation insurance! Wow! This couldn't have come at a worst time! Many of the small single owner operator contractors would be forced to purchase a policy potentially costing thousands of dollars!

So the good news....Tennessee State Lawmakers are reviewing the law trying to find a way to reduce the negative effect. However, this may take some time to work its way out and in the mean time December 31, 2009 is ticking closer and closer!

So if you are a contractor in the State of Tennessee, make sure you are compliant with the new state workers comp law!

Florida Work Comp Rates Down 6.8%

Good news for Florida Workers Compensation?? We'll have to wait and see!!

Recently the Florida Insurance Commissioner, Kevin McCarty, gave final approval to NCCI's amended workers comp rate filing. New Florida workers comp rates will be effective January 1, 2010 with an overall 6.8% decrease.

So here's the real news...with this rate decrease, Florida has experienced an overall decrease in rates totaling more than 63% since 2003! Isn't that a good thing for employers?

Along with this news of course come comments from those who think this action will lead to the ruination of Florida workers comp system. Some are saying these rate decreases are artificial, just a function of government with decisions made without regard of increased loss ratios and costs and decreasing income and profits for the insurance companies. That many of the Florida workers comp carriers are in a pickle and that a big shake out is just a short walk down the road. We'll just have to wait this out and see!

Employers Direct Insurance Company Leaving California

Holy Cow! What happens to Employers Direct Insurance Company policyholders who bought workers comp insurance from this company now that they've decided to stop writing workers comp in California? Check here for answers to your workers compensation questions.

Employers Direct Insurance Company is a workers comp insurance carrier who does business in California, Illinois, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Utah. They are famous for writing workers compensation insurance directly to employers without going through a broker. Usually companies like this sell workers comp at rock bottom prices relying on the lowest price as the attraction for employers to do business with them. Employers Direct has decided to leave the California workers compensation market by not writing any new business in the state. This after they announced earlier a request to California for about a 39% rate increase. Company officials have indicated that they will continue to service existing customers.

Unfortunately you can expect to see more companies following their example, given the poor workers compensation environment in California.

Establish Work Comp Code Procedures For Your Business

Learn how to prepare for a work comp audit. Proper preparation to an upcoming audit may just ward off a ton of bad stuff later.

It's not hard to find an insurance professional, fluent in the language of workers compensation, that can help you prepare for a workers comp audit. When an employer goes through the audit process unprepared, they are asking for nothing but trouble. Turn to the Internet for help! Just Google "workers compensation consultant" and you'll find quite a few folks out there who all have good opinions on the best way to prepare for an audit. You'll find most of the suggestions are very common sense. Things like having your payroll records handy for the auditor. But there are several other items you should be aware.

One of the most important things you can do for your business is to establish a workers comp code procedure. A workers comp code procedure, once properly established, will help your company prepare ahead for dealing with workers comp premium issues. You may need help doing this especially if your business operates in more than one state and involves non-NCCI advisory authorities.

For help with these workers compensation issues contact Workers Compensation Consultants!

Workers Compensation Premium Review

Do you need a workers comp premium review? YES!!!

If you are an employer, in any state, and have a workers compensation insurance policy then YOU NEED A WORKERS COMP PREMIUM REVIEW!! You might just be wondering why?

Simple, insurance companies make premium mistakes on workers comp policies EVERY DAY! (kinda sounds like I'm worked up..) It's just amazing the amount of overcharged premium dollars that employers pay and pay and pay and don't bother to speak the simple word why, why, why do I seem to be paying so much more for workers comp than my friend in the same business down the street? Why do my workers comp premiums just keep going up? Why do I get hit with large audits each and every year?

Here's what I'm told: "But I thought my agent was taking care of me!"

I usually hear that after a workers comp premium review has discovered mistakes and identified overcharges the client has been paying to the insurance company for years!

So, learn this, mistakes are made every day, don't be a victim and pay more for workers compensation insurance than you need. Have a workers comp premium review completed today! Reviews shouldn't cost you a penny unless the work comp consulting company can get your money back. Then you share with them. It's like a windfall for the employer. The employer gets money back they didn't even know was out there!! Check with Workers Compensation Consultants, they can help.

Premium Recovery

What is Premium Recovery? Premium Recovery is when you have unknowingly overpaid insurance premiums and have an independent firm work on your behalf to get that overpaid premium back in your pocket! Check with Workers Compensation Consultants, a professional workers compensation consulting firm who specializes in premium recovery. You'll find there are many companies who work in the field of premium recovery. All you have to do is check out the web and you'll understand. When looking for someone to help with this problem it's best to seek out those who have insurance experience. While many firms are rooted in accounting, you'll find those with the insurance knowledge and experience are the ones who can help you the most.

So if you think you need help recovering overpaid premiums on your workers compensation policies or other insurance policies be sure to contact Workers Compensation Consultants. They can do the job for you!

Workers Compensation Policy and Code Review!

How many times do I have to remind you to have your workers compensation policy reviewed! A work comp policy review should include; a review of your workers compensation codes, a review of all premium calculations on your policy, a review of your audits, a review of your experience modification and other premium factors, a review of all credits applied to your policy and a review of proper application of payroll limitations.

I've recently been asked by several new clients to review their policies and have found errors in each. Errors that have cost these employers several thousands of dollars! We've been successful in recovering most of the overpaid premium however this all could have been avoided if these clients had called earlier and allowed us to set up an annual review of their policies. So, don't forget, be PROACTIVE! Have your workers compensation policies reviewed!

Vermont Workers Compensation Rates

Great news for Vermont employers! Vermont Workers Compensation rates are heading down! Recent news indicates NCCI, the National Council on Compensation Insurance an advisory organization, has recommended a 13% roll back in rates for Vermont employers. When asked why the improvement, reduced claims are cited as the reason. There you go. Less claims dollars paid usually equates to lower rates. Of course the suggestion by NCCI to roll back rates 13% must be approved by Vermont authorities before put into action. Oh yea, that 13% roll back is also the suggested average rate roll back. In truth not all class codes will experience a reduction, some classes may see increases while others may see reductions...keep in mind this will be an average reduction.

Way to go Vermont employers! Doing everything you can to keep workers compensation costs in check!

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West Virginia Workers Compensation Options Now Available

About a year after West Virginia Workers Compensation moved from being one of the few remaining monopolistic states to an open market it is being reported that out of the 198 insurance companies that filed to do business in the state somewhere around 150 now have active policies. Seems like a good sign for the future success of the West Virginia workers comp market. Evidently these companies have decided that the workers comp environment is one in which they can make money. I say good for West Virginia! Open competition for a product like workers comp is the only way to go! It is a new day for the employers in this state who now have options when it comes to securing workers compensation insurance coverage.

If you need help with workers compensation problems in West Virginia be sure to check with Workers Compensation Consultants, a professional workers comp consulting firm.

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Preparing for a Workers Compensation Audit

What a scary thought, an auditor visiting your office! Don't be afraid, be prepared! Check out How To Prepare For A Workers Comp Audit for FREE detailed information on how to prepare for a workers comp audit!

Getting ready for the work comp auditor can be stressful. But it's a process of necessity. The audit process is the time when all workers compensation accounts are brought to balance. You see, when you buy a workers comp insurance policy, the premium you pay is really just a deposit premium, based on the projected payroll of your business for the next 12 months. Then at the end of the policy period, 12 months, the insurance company will perform an audit on your books to determine just what your actual payroll was then recalculate your premium and adjust out if they owe you money back or bill you if you owe them more money. Simple!

Well it's really quite complicated. So be sure to check out the web page "How to Prepare for an Audit" that's shown above. You'll find some good tips in there that will help make your visit with the auditor a more pleasant experience!

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Workers Compensation Premiums Going Up

Workers compensation premiums are going up! You can learn more about workers compensation insurance issues at Workers Compensation Consultants, a professional work comp consulting firm providing a ton of free, useful information on the web.

Workers compensation insurance is sometimes a strange product. Just when I think I know most things there are to know about workers comp I'm presented with something new! So try this on for size...In general workers compensation claims have been trending down over the past years. This improvement is due to a combination of many things including a toughing of state regulations that have had a positive impact on workers comp and to an overall improvement of safety in the workplace.

So with the number of claims trending lower why are we seeing increases in rates and a general increase in the cost of workers comp? Well there are two basic items that drive the cost of workers compensation claims, medical and indemnity. Indemnity refers to the replacement of lost wages when an injured worker is off from work. Logically with fewer claims the indemnity cost would also be lower. So that leaves the medical. Medical is just what you think it is, the cost to pay medical providers for their services. Unfortunately the trend is that medical costs are going up! You know, it's the same story effecting health insurance in this country. Better improved medical services, additional costs. Oh, yea, don't forget when a medical provider has fewer cases to work on and they still need to have a certain flow of revenue to keep their doors open. They wouldn't charge more for their services would they? Less number of people to work on equates to charging more for those folks who need work performed!

Well, there you have it, the number of workers compensation claims are improving. Employers are doing what they have been asked by implementing safety programs, return to work programs, and providing much safer work environments, reducing the number of workers compensation claims. And the payoff...higher workers compensation premiums!

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Insurance Certificate Problems and Information

Check out the new information about insurance certificates at Workers Compensation Consultants website for a lot of free helpful information on this topic.

When is the last time someone asked your business for a certificate of insurance or an insurance certificate? Well if you're in some type of contracting business I'll bet it was just a matter of minutes ago! Yep, insurance certificates seem to make the world of contracting go round!

A few things about certificates:

1. They are basically worthless pieces of paper, have you ever been charged for a certificate? So they are really worth what you pay;
2. They are for informational purposes only;
3. They are the most confusing piece of paper in the insurance world;
4. Most people asking for them don't know why they are asking;
5. Most people giving them out don't know why they are giving them;
6. Everybody thinks they provide some type of coverage or at least assurance, in fact they don't;

So, if some other business asks you about certificates of insurance or needs proof of workers compensation insurance or needs an insurance certificate showing you carry workers comp, read up on what it's all about at Workers Compensation Consultants before you're so fast to send one out!

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Assessments On Minnesota Workers Comp Policies

Due to the down turn in investment income the Minnesota Workers Compensation Reinsurance Corporation will assess its member companies and policyholders a reported $268 million over the next five years! That's a pretty big hit. To learn about Minnesota workers compensation rules contact Workers Compensation Consultants.

It was just announced that the Minnesota State sponsored workers comp organization lost about 25% of their investments during this economic slow down creating a deficit of somewhere around $420 million that just has to be made up. The current plan would make collection of the assessments spread out over the next five years.

The assessment to members and policyholders will still have to go through the approval process with the Minnesota Commissioner of Labor and Industry along with approval from the Minnesota Commerce Commissioner. Hearings will start soon.

Contractors, Certificates of Insurance and Workers Compensation

Wow! What a combination, contractors, certificates of insurance and workers compensation! Check out Workers Compensation Consultants site for detailed information about workers compensation certificates of insurance. Read on for my opinion...

A Certificate of Insurance is merely a piece of almost worthless paper that for some reason seems to make the world of contracting go round. A certificate or "cert" as it's known in the insurance world, is a snapshot in time, a notice to the certificate holder that insurance coverage is in place as shown on the document at that moment in time. It provides information as to who the named insured is, the policy dates, the policy coverage and limits. That's about all it was designed to do.

But wait! There's more! Over the last several years the use of certificates of insurance has changed. Large construction firms, general contractors and project owners who employ or contract "risk management professionals" or a team of attorneys have decided to change this informational piece of paper into a contract. More and more companies are being requested to show on their certificates "special wording" and other items that stretch the limits of the certificate. Most of the time a small contractor is asked to provide almost unattainable wording and conditions on their certificate in order to just do the job.

I've recently reviewed, for a sub-contractor, a certificate request by a large mid-west construction firm who is the general on a federal project. The first thing that happened is the small sub contractor was provided with a "sample certificate" and asked to have their insurance agent provide a certificate exactly as shown. Well here's the problem...certificates of insurance are a standardized COPYRIGHTED form developed and provided for use by an organization called ACORD. Nothing burns me quicker than someone asking someone else to violate federal copyright laws by marking out or changing a copyrighted document. And I'm here to tell you that when an insurance agent, in the guise of trying to help his client meet the onerous requirements set out by the project owner or general contractor, makes ANY changes to that copyrighted document, it IS a copyright violation. That's breaking the law! Shame on you folks who make these requests. The only folks who can make changes to that document are the ones who hold the copyright, ACORD.

Most of the time the biggest change they request is that of modifying the "cancellation notification clause" as shown on the document. And the rub is that the general or project owner wants to make the insurance company responsible for notifying them when the subs policy cancels.

So how about this mister general and mister project owner...don't be such a ______! If you feel you need special wording, make it very clear as to what you need, then ask for an endorsement to the subs policy. Don't try to make a certificate into a contract. Because frankly those agents and subs out there providing modified certificates probably don't really know what they are doing. If you need a policy modification, like a cancellation clause change, ask for a policy endorsement. Oh yea, don't be surprised if the insurance companies thumb their noses at you! Some of the requests I've seen are ridiculous to the point I'd like to see YOU mister general or owner take on the kind of responsibility that you're asking the insurance company to do!

Sorry about the ranting...but this is a topic that many unsuspecting subs and their insurance agents are dealing with on a daily basis.

Thanks!

North Carolina Workers Compensation Limits Benefits

North Carolina workers compensation benefits are under the gun by state legislators. State law makers are trying to put a cap on workers compensation payments made to injured workers after they reach 65 and are eligible for social security retirement benefits.

House Bill 1022 would cap injured North Carolina workers benefits to 300 weeks after a worker turns 65 or becomes eligible for social security benefits.

Sound familiar? You bet. In a recent blog I talked about the Utah Supreme Court shooting down a similar law that had passed in Utah.

Supporters of the North Carolina bill believe this would help cut workers compensation costs in the state. Seems more like the state is trying to pull back from its commitment to protect its workers. I'm sure there's more to come on this subject.

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Workers Compensation Fraud - California Father and Daughter Charged

California workers compensation laws are there for a reason! I'm starting to sound like a broken record but it seems fraud in the workers compensation system is on the loose!

Here's another short story of fraud recently addressed in the California workers compensation system.

It seems a father and daughter operating a business located in California were recently arrested for workers compensation premium fraud. Charged with a total of 11 felony counts these folks are accused of under reporting their workers comp payroll in an effort to minimize their workers compensation premiums to the tune of over $1,000,000. Wow! This activity occurred between 2003 and 2008, over a five year period. They are accused of misrepresenting the activities and even the existence of staff, superintendents, job foremen, subcontractors and others and failure to report accurate employee payroll information. They evidently were tripped up when various insurance carriers were presented with a total of 4 injured worker claims over the five year period of time while all along the father and daughter team denied they even had employees.

Think about it. That's a MILLION DOLLARS taken out of the workers compensation system. Money that would have gone to statistically help support other employers in the state. When this type of activity occurs it really does effect all others who step up to the plate and shoulder the responsibility of providing workers compensation coverage for their employees.

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Workers Compensation Rules

Workers Compensation Rules and Laws are different for each state. We've talked about this situation many times in this blog. And when it comes to determining if and when a business may need to carry workers comp insurance it can become confusing.

Here's a couple of questions for business owners;
1. Do you know if you have to provide workers compensation coverage for your employees?
2. As a business owner do you have to be included in the workers comp coverage for your business?
3. How does your state treat sole proprietors, individuals, partners, LLC members and corporate officers in regards workers compensation coverage?
4. Do you have to provide workers compensation coverage for independent subcontractors in your state?
5. Who controls the workers compensation mechanism for the state in which you conduct business and how can you contact them?

If you need help with the answer for any of these questions then you need to visit Workers Compensation Consultants website. They provide a great, free resource for all business owners with questions just like these!

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Nebraska Workers Compensation Benefits - A Fight For Increased Living Costs

Nebraska workers compensation benefits, like most states, provides compensation for off work injured Nebraska workers. In Nebraska the maximum level of compensation is dictated in the Nebraska Workers Compensation Law. For most states, as with Nebraska, the maximum level is a percentage of the states statistical average weekly wage as computed and published each year by the state government. Just so happens that the current maximum payable to a Nebraska injured worker is $671 per week.

Well there is a fight brewing in the Nebraska State Legislature. Just look for Legislative Bill 630. One faction wants to add a cost of living adjustment onto the amount an injured worker would receive. The other group feels this would just increase the cost for workers compensation insurance for private and public enterprise. Seems to me, considering the poor economy we are now in, any increase in cost levied on a business would be difficult.

We'll have to keep our eye on this and see what happens!

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Utah Workers Compensation Benefit Ruling

The Utah workers compensation practice of offsetting workers comp benefits to an injured worker eligible for social security retirement has been struck down by the Utah Supreme Court as unconstitutional. This off-set, as directed under Utah workers compensation law, reduced the amount of compensation an injured worker would receive by 50% after the injured worker had been on workers compensation for six years. This rule had, several years ago, come before the Utah Labor Commission who had refused to consider the constitutionality of the rule.

Now since the Supreme Court ruling, those injured workers may receive their full Utah workers comp benefits along with full social security retirement benefits when they qualify.

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Louisiana Workers Compensation Rates Continue To Fall

In recent Louisiana workers compensation news the Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance has announced the approval of a NCCI recommended reduction of 17.4% reduction in loss cost filings. This news comes on top of a reduction of 8.6% in 2008 and a reduction of 15.8% in 2007. Great news for Louisiana employers!

The Insurance Commissioner attributes these significant reductions in rates to the much improved work safety environment now found in Louisiana. So here's congratulations to Louisiana. Oh yea, that 17.4% reduction was the largest approved by any of 35 states reviewed by NCCI.

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Kentucky Workers Compensation Benefits

A new page put up by Workers Compensation Consultants outlines the Kentucky workers compensation injured worker benefits.

We know how difficult it may be trying to find specific work comp benefit information for employees in Kentucky. You can always go directly to the State for information but we've found so many folks out there would prefer to search the web for this type of information. Workers Compensation Consultants has set up a separate page for each state providing you with the basic information about injured worker benefits. While not all inclusive, it does provide a basic frame work for locating information about Kentucky workers compensation benefits.

So, if you are a injured worker or employer looking for work comp benefit information in the State of Kentucky, check out the link above. If you need benefit information for any other state go to this directory:

Workers Comp Benefits Directory

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California Workers Compensation Fraud - Janitorial Service

Wow! Workers Comp fraud must be the hot thing in the news this week! Check out this page for California Workers Compensation Rules and Laws.

So here's another story about fraud in the workers compensation system. This time it happens to be based in California.

Two executives with a California janitorial service were arrested and charged with fraudulent misrepresentation in reporting the number of employees working in their business. They showed only a husband and wife with no employees. A state investigation found they actually had hundreds of janitors employed. The state indicates this company did not pay $4.4 million in workers compensation premium and another $1.9 million in unemployment and state disability taxes.

So, here's a question....did the owners of this company really think all those performing work for them were independent subcontractors? Is this a mistake they made or was it organized fraud? Well the jury is still out on this one. We'll just have to keep watching and see how this turns out.

A Washington Contractor and Workers Comp Fraud

Who says the State of Washington Workers Compensation Laws don't have teeth? Washington is a monopolistic state and manages a state fund which provides the only workers comp insurance for employers in the state. Click here to find out more about the Washington Monopolistic State Fund.

Recent news coming out of Spokane Washington tells us the story of a local painting contractor who paid his workers in cash, worked his way through work comp claim situations, operated as many as 10 work crews at a time while all along denying he had any employees. It appears this contractor had a track record of thumbing his nose at the Washington Department of Labor and Industry over several years. Well, a few years ago he was charged with 6 felony counts of intentional false reporting and in today's news we find where the judge in this case has accepted a negotiated plea where he would repay $212,000 in back premiums and penalties and be on probation which includes 30 days of electronic home monitoring.

Ever since workers compensation laws were established there has been and will continue to be employers who don't want to step up to the plate and shoulder their responsibility to their workers by providing proper workers compensation insurance coverage all in the guise of saving a buck. Sure, workers comp rules and laws can be complicated and confusing and mistakes are made. There are plenty of professional folks out there who can help an employer do the right thing and if you're an employer and need help with workers compensation, just search the web for "workers compensation consultant" you sure to find a good firm who can help you with your problem. But when that line is crossed and an employer fraudulently places his workers in harm by not providing the coverage dictated by law, at least in most states, the resulting consequences are hard and deserved.

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AIG Workers Compensation Problem

Within the last week I've received requests from two different business owners to review and help correct workers comp problems. But the interesting thing is that AIG is the workers comp insurance company involved with both.

What's up with AIG? Oh yea, they've got a few issues going on right now! So how's their management problem effecting the workers comp insurance side? Read on.

Since we take great measures to protect out clients confidentiality no names will be mentioned here, just some facts.

1. Both clients are insured for workers compensation insurance with AIG;
2. Both clients are having premium problems;
3. Both sums in question are relatively small, a couple thousand of dollars;
4. Both clients did their best in trying to correct the problems AIG created;
3. Now for the best, even though the problems appear to be the mistake of AIG, both clients are being threatened by AIG who is going forward with civil action if they don't pay up.

Considering the size of AIG and the many thousands of policies they have in force, maybe this isn't really the beginning of a trend. Or maybe it is. Think about this.
In the past this type of premium problem from AIG's perspective would have drawn very little attention, you know, not much money involved. Could this be a new practice at AIG? One to aggressively pursue all collection issues, right or wrong? Maybe, but we'll have to wait a while to see about that.

So what can a client do when faced with such aggressive behavior from an insurance company? Simply seek professional workers compensation consulting help at the beginning of a problem. Don't wait til the insurance company is taking you to court. Get a work comp consultant involved as soon as possible. Search the web for "workers comp consultant" and find a firm to work with. The chance of a good outcome for you will be much higher!

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North Carolina Workers Compensation Premium Dispute With AIG

In recent news I've read that a local North Carolina pizza parlor owner was disputing a workers compensation audit and felt they were due a refund from their insurance company, AIG. This article went on to mention that the North Carolina Insurance Commissioner was waiting for the pizza parlor owners to file an official complaint so they could get involved. Evidently the refund amount is $2,261, an amount I'm sure the pizza parlor could use. But is this really an audit dispute?

Could the insurance company be right, what's their reason? Could the pizza parlor owners be right? Who knows! Or is this just something to catch the eye of the news? You know...AIG, workers comp, insurance commissioner...haven't we been here before?

When dealing with money matters and workers compensation insurance there are so many individual issues that could play into the problem. This is where details really do make a difference! Here's a few things to think about:

1. This "refund" could be due to an overpayment and just the normal return premium due after the audit was complete...
2. What if the insured cancelled his policy and just thinks this amount was overpaid...
3. What if the company really does owe the insured this amount back from a audit but is holding it because the insured did not make a final payment, or something like that...

See what I mean. In matters like this you really have to know the details before jumping to conclusions! And if you find you need help with a workers compensation premium problem, always seek help from a professional workers compensation consulting firm!

For North Carolina workers compensation rules and laws go to: North Carolina Workers Compensation

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Ohio Workers Compensation News -

Hot off the press, the much awaited for year long study of the Ohio Workers Compensation System has been completed.

The BWC, Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, commissioned this comprehensive study be performed by Deloitte Consulting LLP. Next, look for the analysis phase of the information gathered and an implementation schedule to follow. The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation requested this study from top to bottom with emphasis on improving the accountability and operation function of the organization.

What's this mean to the 270,000 businesses insured with the BWC? Well, some recommendations have already been implemented. Those include an adjustment to lower the base rates, the addition of group retrospective rating and the availability of a deductible program, just to mention a few.

The jury's still out, but we hope the recommendations will improve the overall operational strength of the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation.

Injured Virginia Worker Unconscious - Claim Denied?

Just hitting the news, a Virginia based employee, while working as a satellite dish installer, fell from the roof of a customers home, suffering severe injuries. It's reported the home owner discovered the injured worker and called 911. The injured employee then spent the next 6 days in the hospital unconscious. Thankfully after awakening he recognized his family and it is now reported he is undergoing recovery therapy. This was all recently reported by Karen McNew, the WSLS 10 Anchor in Roanoke, VA.

You'd think this would be a easy claim for the Virginia workers compensation benefit system, right?

WRONG! Evidently Virginia employs what is know as the "death presumption" concept. Basically unwitnessed work related accidents allow the insurance company to deny workers comp benefits with the exception of death. So, if this injured Virginia worker had died from his injuries, the workers compensation insurance company would have paid off like a slot machine. Unfortunately for this worker, he survived and is now going through rehab for injuries to his brain, shoulder and hip without benefits from the workers comp insurance company. Well, that's what was reported.

You know, it still amazes me that after all these years, after all the corrections state regulators have made, the workers comp system, when needed, can still let us down. Well, it's all in the law! Hopefully after review and armed with all the facts of this accident, the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission will arrive at the right decision for this worker!

How To Get A Workers Compensation Refund

Have you ever received a workers comp refund? You know it's not really a refund. You can never really receive a refund from your workers compensation policy because these policies are set up to be based upon the actual payroll exposure your business incurs over the policy period as adjusted at the end of the policy by the dreaded workers compensation audit!

Here's some tips on what you need to do to make sure you're paying the proper premium for your workers compensation policy:

1. Make sure you understand the premium calculation process. If you don't, then ask someone who does!

2. Be sure to provide your insurance agent with the most accurate projection of payroll you can for your policy period.

3. Make sure you review the issued workers compensation policy you receive from your insurance company for accuracy.

4. Once your workers comp policy has expired the insurance company will conduct an audit. Be sure to check out How to Prepare for a Workers Comp Audit.

5. Have your audit reviewed for accuracy by an independent professional workers compensation consultant. They work for you. Not the insurance company.

Hope these few pointers help you out.

Thanks!

Colorado Robbing Pinnacol Assurance to Bail Out Budgeting Problems

Well there you have it! Pinnacol Assurance, a successful Colorado workers compensation state fund, is being used to help bail out State of Colorado budgeting problems! Check out Colorado Workers Compensation Rules and Benefits here.

Pinnacol Assurance, a division of the State of Colorado, has achieved a reported reserve of $700 million. According to some, way more than it needs to assure injured Colorado workers get future claims paid. On one hand, good news in that this government established insurer has operated successfully as evidenced by achieving financial security for the State of Colorado employers and employees. On the other hand, bad news in that it's success has put a big bulls eye on its front door for Colorado legislators.

A quick lesson in simple terms; Insurance company reserves or surplus, are comprised of the money left over after premiums are paid by employers, claim and claim expenses are paid and operating expenses are paid. Simply, it's the money held back for the future.

So just who's money is it anyway? According the the State of Colorado, it's theirs, and I'm sure if you look closely you'll find they're right. Well, let's think about that; Who paid the premiums that generated the $700 million excess? Was it the State of Colorado? I bet not. Sure they certainly had a hand in establishing Pinnacol Assurance, but it was established to provide a solution and it did. Let's see, how about those Colorado employers? Yep. Those are the folks who bought the insurance, paid the rates and helped reduce claims leading to the excess.

If Pinnacol Assurance has such an excess surplus, wouldn't it be right to return part of that money to the employers who created it in the first place? So if I was a Colorado employer, I'd be a little upset that the state decided to take part of this reserve and use it to cover it's poor budgeting practices.

What's this mean for the future of other workers comp state funds? Could your state fund do this? More about that in future blogs!

Nevada and Arizona Workers Compensation Benefits - For injured employees

Are you a Nevada or Arizona worker who was injured on the job? Do you have questions about the type of workers comp benefits you should be receiving? If so the visit these pages;

For Nevada workers compensation: Nevada Workers Comp Benefits
For Arizona workers compensation: Arizona Workers Comp Benefits
For All States: Workers Compensation Benefits Directory


The national workers comp consulting firm, Workers Compensation Consultants, has put up a new section on their web site designed just for workers and employees who are injured on the job and seeking information about benefits they may receive. This site provides this information to users free of charge, no kidding! The information has been compiled from the Industrial Commission of Arizona and from the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, the workers compensation governing authorities for each of these states. You'll find the information compiled here is in an easy to read easy to follow format geared in a factual presentation. On each of the state benefit pages you will also find direct links to that individual states web site for those who may need help with more detailed information.

So if you need any information on workers comp benefits for Nevada or Arizona or any other state, visit the pages above. And don't forget to check out the "what's new" section at workcompconsultant.com!

Thanks!

Common Industries Where A Workers Compensation Review Will Help -

Over the years I've been involved in a lot of workers compensation policy reviews. I've been asked to describe those industries that I've seen benefit from having a workers comp policy audit review completed. If you're interested in what a professional workers comp audit consulting firm has to say about this then go here: Who Benefits Most From A Workers Comp Policy Audit Review, otherwise keep reading!

Here's a short list;

Car Dealerships

Wholesalers

Tool and Machine Shops

Millwrights/Foundries

Printing Companies

Manufacturers

Auto Repair Shops

All Construction Contractors

Masonry Contractors

Plumbing Contractors

Electrical Contractors

Drywall Installation

Concrete Construction

Steel Construction

Paving Contractors

Ready Mix Operations

Carpenters

Lawn and Landscape Maintenance

Churches

Machine Shops - Tool and Die

Warehouses

Sheet Metal Shops

Churches

Hospitals

Home Health Care

Physicians

Restaurants

Colleges and Universities

Building Maintenance

Condo Associations

Public Entities

All Types of Non-Profit Organizations

If you own or operate a business that falls into one of these categories, then you should seek out professional audit consulting help and have your workers comp policy and audits reviewed. You may be surprised at the errors they find that could put money back in your pocket!

Should I File An Audit Dispute On My Workers Comp?

We are asked this question quite often by business owners and clients alike. Here's my take on filing a formal audit dispute.

Let's begin by stating when you should not file a dispute;

1. If you think you pay too much for your workers comp....not a good enough reason to file a dispute. You must have details and be able to show why the audit is factually incorrect. You cannot just rely on the idea you pay too much in premium!

2. When you don't have enough money to pay the audit and just need a little time....bad idea to file a dispute. Payment issues should remain just that, payment issues. An audit dispute should never be used as a delay technique. Even if you do file an audit dispute, you still have to pay that portion of the audit premium not in dispute, and you must provide details!

So when is it a good idea to file a workers comp audit dispute?

1. When there is a clearly definable mistake found on the audit.

2. Payroll numbers used by the auditor do not match those provided.

3. A misclassification or change in work comp codes was applied to your workers.

Check out more details on when to file a workers compensation audit dispute at this page: How and When to File a Workers Comp Audit Dispute

So if you don't file a dispute then what can you do if you think there is a problem with your audit but you're not really sure where to start.

1. To begin with you should always be able to talk with the auditor, even after the audit is complete. If you have any question about how or why they arrived at what they did, contact the auditor and ask them!

2. Ask your agent for help. After all, your agent is the one who is most times responsible for establishing the work comp codes used and classifying the payrolls into the proper codes for the policy.

3. When in doubt always seek professional workers compensation consultants help. Most of the folks out there who provide this assistance have many years of experience and will be able to help you with most any workers comp audit problems. I've had success in working with Workers Compensation Consultants who can be found at http://workcompconsultant.com.

Hope this blog has been of some help to you. Thanks!

New Workers Compensation Benefits Web Pages

Workers Compensation Consultants has just put up three new web pages with valuable, free updated information about injured employees and workers rights and benefits for Alabama, Tennessee and Florida. These pages contain detailed information about medical payments due a worker because of an on the job injury, tips on how employee lost wages are calculated and provided, Temporary Total Disability (TTD), Permanent Total Disability (PTD) and Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) limitations, death benefits and limitations on attorney fees along with other valuable contact information.

Here's the pages:

Alabama Workers Compensation Benefits
Tennessee Workers Compensation Benefits
Florida Workers Compensation Benefits

So if you are looking for workers compensation benefit information for any of these states just click on the above link.

Thanks!

The Workers Compensation Classification Code System

The workers compensation classification code system was developed with the idea of grouping similar types of businesses into a single identifying class with an individual assigned code number. This grouping of businesses requires that each business operation contain similar work processes. In other words the type of work being performed would appear similar in the manner completed, the potential risk exposure for injury to those workers performing the work task and the overall process used to complete the task.

Here's how this system fits into the overall pricing mechanism for workers compensation insurance; Once a business has been classified and assigned the proper workers compensation code, the insurance company then gathers the payroll or remuneration for that class code assigned. The payroll or remuneration then becomes the exposure base on which the workers comp insurance premium is calculated. Here's an important part, each workers comp code has its own associated rate.

So each work process is identified and placed into the proper code, right? Well not so fast!

Now we have to talk about the concept of the governing classification.
The governing class code is that individual code which best describes the total business operation and where most of the payroll for the operation is generated. For example, under the roof of a metal goods manufacturing plant you may find different, but similar individual work processes. You may find lathing operations, welding, planing, boring and other metal working or finishing processes. You may also find in the shipping department those workers who package, wrap and ship the finished goods. The governing class code for this type of operation would be that of a metal goods manufacturing plant. So rather than many individual work comp class codes, as you might expect, you would only find the single code of metal goods manufacturing. Confusing, you bet!

The workers comp code for a metal goods manufacturing business would perhaps carry a a $9 rate per 100 of payroll depending on the individual state involved. The code for a retail drug store would carry a rate per 100 of say $2, much lower than the manufacturing operation. It's pretty obvious in this example, the higher the risk, the higher the rate.

This is just a small example of how the workers compensation classification code system works and how it impacts the cost of a workers comp policy. So armed with this information it's easy to see how important a role proper classification plays.

In future blogs I'll go deeper into the code relationship with the cost of a workers comp policy. I hope this information has been helpful.

Learn more about the workers compensation classification system at Workers Compensation Consultants.


Thanks!

Misclassification Of A Workers Compensation Code

I have performed many hundreds of workers compensation audit and code reviews over the years and will offer up for your reading pleasure several of these real life examples in this blog and blogs to come.

We were recently asked to review the workers compensation insurance program for a large manufacturing operation. The plant manager of this operation had a feeling that the current insurance carrier was using the incorrect workers comp codes for the type of work performed at the plant. The operation at this particular plant involved assembly of hydraulic hoses with an end use in the heavy equipment industry.

Sometimes workers comp codes and classification of a risk are easy....sometimes they are not! In this case the current insurance carrier had been classifying this plant as metal goods manufacturing. The metal goods manufacturing code includes such individual operations as stamping, planing, grinding, boring and other metal working procedures. In fact this plant in the past had been set up and performed pressing and metal working operations, where the metal goods manufacturing code would be appropriate. The review of this operation generated what we call a classic change of operation without notification. The owners changed the plant operation from one of manufacturing to one of performing assembly operations of previously manufactured items, without informing their workers comp carrier.

As with the example mentioned in a previous blog we were able to reclassify this operation to one of plumbing supplies assembly, a code which addressed the business operation more accurately. This reclassification resulted in a premium savings to this business of over 30%!

While not all business owners may enjoy the same type of outcome from a workers compensation code review as this operation it is certainly worth your time and effort to have your codes checked. Remember, no insurance company will question your desire to have these codes reviewed and when an error is found they will make the corrections needed to your policy. After all, the insurance company also wants the information to be correct!

For more information on misclassification of workers comp codes go to: Workers Compensation Code Reviews

Thanks for your time and I hope this blog has been helpful!

Free Workers Compensation Benefit and Rule Information - A National Workers Compensation Website

Workers Compensation issues are confusing especially when you try to find or need helpful information about workers benefits, on the job injuries and disabilities or if you need facts about workers compensation rules, statutes and laws for any individual state. If you search the web for this information you will certainly find hundreds of sites hawking their information about workers comp. Here's a site that's a little different!

Workers Compensation Consultants is a professional workers comp consulting firm. In addition to providing workers comp consulting services on a wide range of topics they also operate a national website that contains a ton of free information for employers, insurance companies, adjusters, employees, injured workers and medical providers. This site is laid out in an easy to find, factual, common sense manner that allows anyone with an interest in workers compensation or with a workers comp problem to find information on injured worker benefits, state by state rules and laws, how to prepare for an insurance audit, how to file a proper dispute, how to verify workers compensation codes and many many other topics of interest about workers comp.

So be sure to check out Workers Compensation Consultants, you'll not be disappointed by the information found on their site!

Thanks!

Help with Workers Compensation Codes

Workers compensation codes, right or wrong, are one of the primary driving factors in the cost or workers compensation insurance.

When a workers comp policy is first set up, an agent or broker asks a series of questions to try and determine the correct workers comp code to use on the policy. This code is a description of the type of operations being performed at any given business. There are somewhere around 700 workers comp class codes available for use depending on the state in which your business is located.

The application of these codes can be very confusing not only to employers but also to insurance professionals. With so many to choose from you'd think it would be easy to make a proper classification. Well, code application can be deceiving. Here's some information on a recent case I worked;

• A large company recently acquired a manufacturing plant in which they produce hoses and fittings for the automotive industry. The workers compensation insurer was left in place after the acquisition. I was contacted by the new plant manager who asked me to review their workers compensation codes. The existing insurer had this risk classed as "machine shop." After a close review it was determined the proper code for this risk would be "plumbing supplies manufacturing." Correcting the workers comp code for this risk resulted in a 10% savings in workers comp cost on a payroll of over $900,000.
  

Workers comp codes do make a big difference! So make sure your business is properly classified! It's the first step in saving money on your workers compensation cost.

Here's a link to a page all about workers comp codes: Workers Compensation Codes

Thanks!

Be Prepared For An Insurance Audit

On this page we give you helpful tips and suggestions on how to get ready for an insurance company audit. Those who are best prepared have an easier time in getting their audit completed and have a better outcome once the audit is finished.

On this page you will learn:

• How to prepare your records for an insurance audit;
  
• How to deal with an insurance company auditor;
  
• What records you will need to have at hand in order to complete the audit;
  
• How important Certificates of Insurance; are and what role they play in the audit process and cost of your workers compensation insurance;
  
• How to simplify the insurance company auditors job;
  
• About the types of insurance audits performed and how they effect the accuracy of your audit;
  
• About the audit statement; how to read it and what to look for in regards to errors.

This page will teach you the inside tips on how to get an audit completed without the normal hassle associated with this process.

Here's a link to the page:

Workcompconsultant.com: Tips About Insurance Audits

Thanks!

How To Review Your Own Workers Comp Audit - Checklist for Accuracy

When it comes to workers compensation, one of the thorns in every business owners side is completing the workers comp audit. A necessary step in arriving at a final cost for your workers compensation insurance. But you have to remember, the auditor is not on your side. They work for the insurance company, not you, and their job is to make sure all premium producing charges are accounted for on your policy. So what can an owner do to make sure they're not being overcharged for their workers comp premium? A simple review of your workers compensation audit is the answer.

Do you have to hire someone to review your audit? No. Common sense will take you a long way in verifying the accuracy of your audit. Are there times when you will need help? Yes. Sometimes audits are very complicated and the proof is in the details!

How can you know if there is a problem with your workers comp audit? To me it usually starts with a business owner who has a bad feeling or a gut feeling that their audit is wrong. I've found that most business owners have a good handle on the expenses driving their business and they know when something just doesn't feel right. Sure there are those deep hidden mistakes that go on for years undiscovered, but the recovery audits I've been most successful seem to come from a business owner who questions the accuracy of the audit performed.

Here's a quick check list you can use that may indicate you have a problem:

_______ You received an audit billing much higher than you expected;
_______ You did not receive completed audit worksheets from the auditor;
_______ You were charged for work done by a subcontractor;
_______ Payroll used for your audit was different than supplied;
_______ Credits were removed from your policy at audit.

These are just a few indicators you should use. For a more complete list go to this page: Problem Audit Indicators

I'll have more on how you can check your own audit in future blogs! Thanks!

Workers Compensation Payroll - When payroll means more than you think!

What constitutes workers compensation payroll? Well it certainly includes more than you think!

In the strange world of workers compensation the term "payroll" means a lot more than the normal person would think. In fact the word "payroll" is not really used by workers comp professionals, rather, the term "remuneration" is the more accurate word used.

Remuneration means to give, pay for service, to make up for or to compensate. This leaves the door open for interruption of the meaning and when it comes to the world of workers compensation, interpretation is never a good thing. So the work comp governing authorities have defined just what constitutes remuneration and there are a lot of "non-money" items included.

Would you believe:

payments or compensation to workers for use of their own tools is payroll?

that commissions, profit sharing plans and holiday pay would be included?

the rental value of housing provided for use by workers is included as payroll?

and the list goes on....

Did you know:

that uniform allowances are not considered payroll?

that certain employer supplied perks like use of company vehicles and incentive travel are not included?

like wise the list of excluded items goes on and on....

So, what's this all mean to an employer? Well, it means the workers comp pitfalls continue to exist around every corner. If as an employer, you thought your workers compensation payroll was just that, money you paid your workers, you may just be very surprised when the insurance company auditor reviews your books and adjusts your workers compensation premium.

For more information on workers comp payroll and remuneration be sure to visit this page provided free for your use by Workers Compensation Consultants.

Here's the link: Workers Compensation Payroll and Remuneration

A Guide To Workers Compensation Benefits - Help for Injured Workers

Injured on the job? Do I have workers workers compensation benefits? Will my medical bills be paid? What about my lost income because I can't work due to my injury on the job? How much will I get paid? Will my job still be there for me? Can I be fired because of my injury?

If you're injured on the job you'll find that these are just a few of the questions that may go through your head. Workers compensation benefits can be confusing for everyone involved, even the professionals and finding a good source for answers is important.

Work comp benefits that apply in one state may not apply in another or if they do may be drastically different. For example medical payments may be limited in one state and unlimited in another; Temporary Total Disability (TTD) payments for lost wages may be set at 66 2/3% in one state with no caps and in another state 75% of a workers average weekly wage but capped at a certain maximum level; Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) and Permanent Total Disability (PTD) may be treated completely different in different states. So when looking for information and answers about workers compensation benefits, you have to be specific; workers comp benefits are state specific and finding a good single source for answers to workers compensation benefit questions is not easy.

Here's a link to a good, easy to navigate directory of workers compensation benefits for all fifty (50) states:

Workers Compensation State Benefits Directory

You'll find answers to your questions about workers comp benefits for any state at this site.

Thanks!

Workers Compensation Benefits for Injured Workers - A Summary of All State Benefits

Workers compensation benefits for injured workers are different for each state and while there are some similarities the differences can be quite drastic. Finding workers comp benefit information can be frustrating for injured workers.

If you're an injured worker and looking for answers to questions you may have about workers comp benefits, you should check out the very popular, new Injured Worker Benefits Directory provided free for your use by Workers Compensation Consultants.

This guide of workers compensation benefits is broken down by each state and provides easy access to any specific states workers compensation benefits summary. You'll also find on the individual state pages a great link that takes you directly to that state's workers comp governing authority's website for more detailed information and contact information for help for the injured worker.

So if you need a quick summary and fast answers to your questions about workers compensation benefits make sure you visit this page:

Injured Worker Benefits Directory

Hope this information is helpful. Thanks!

How to Control Workers Comp Costs In These Tough Economic Times

Workers compensation insurance is a real burden for many employers, especially during these tough economic times. I'm going to take a couple of minutes here and talk about a few workers comp topics all business owners should look at right now, items that will really help control their workers comp costs.

• Review Your Workers Compensation Policy:
  
  You must be diligent. Insurance companies really do make mistakes. When you get your workers comp policy in the mail from the insurance company don't just throw it in the pile behind your desk! Take a few minutes and compare the issued policy with the quote your agent gave you or with your policy from last year.
  
  
  
• Look At Your Payroll:
  
  If the payroll on your policy doesn't seem to make sense to you, contact your agent and ask them why it shows the way it does. There could be a mistake in the way the insurance company put your payroll on the policy.
  
  
  
• Look At The Class Codes:
  
  Class codes are the descriptions of your business listed out on your policy. It's very important these codes accurately describe your business operations. If you have any questions about why certain codes are shown on your policy you have to ask your agent to explain the reasons. There could be real reasons or there could be mistakes.
  
  
  
• Check Your Rates:
  
  Each class code has it's own rate per 100 of payroll. If your rate seems to be wrong or much different than last year, especially if it is higher, contact your agent and ask them to explain why. Workers compensation rates in general are depressed. But you must keep in mind workers comp rates are different for each state. If you have any questions, ask the question!
  
  
  
• Check Your Emod (experience mod):
  
  If your business qualifies for experience rating you will have an experience mod that is applied to your premium. Look on your policy for this term and you will find it on your declarations page. If you have a mod that is higher than 1.0 you must ask your agent for an explanation. Keep in mind this mod factor is assigned to your business and is partially based on the claims experience your business has had. Know what your factor is and why!
  
  
  
• Check For Schedule Credits:
  
  Schedule credits are applied by the insurance company if your company has been good! Really they are a modification factor that is supposed to be earned for things like good management. In fact so many companies now use schedule credits only as a pricing adjustment tool. Ask your agent if you have scheduled credits applied to your workers comp policy. If not ask why!
  
  
  
• Always Have Your Workers Compensation Audit Reviewed:
  
  While you certainly can help yourself and review your own audit Workers Compensation Consultants, a professional workers comp consulting firm, can work with you to fix errors that are found. Don't be afraid to ask for professional help. Keep in mind the goal is to review all premium producing areas of your workers compensation policy and who better to do that than a firm that specializes in helping employers recover premium from insurance companies who have made errors.
  
  
  

Hope this has been helpful for you. This information is brought to you by Workers Compensation Consultants. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

Check Your Workers Compensation Audit - and learn how to reduce your workers comp costs!

Many employers unknowingly throw thousands of dollars away simply by taking their insurance company's word and paying their workers comp audit without having it reviewed!

Go to this web page for free information on how to check your workers compensation audit:

How to check your workers compensation audit.

Many employers think checking their workers compensation audit is hard to do when in fact a quick simple check may just catch a problem and put money back into their pockets. On this page you'll find a series of questions designed to help you determine if your workers comp audit has a problem. It will also guide you to professional help with your audit if you feel you need additional help getting a problem corrected.

So if you are a small or large business with a workers comp policy and think you have found a problem with your workers compensation audit be sure to check with Workers Compensation Consultants. They will review your audit, confirm your suspecions and work to get your audit adjusted!

This information is provided to you free by Workers Compensation Consultants, a professional workers comp audit and code review company.

Workers Compensation Laws - Find State Workers Comp Laws, Rules and Regulations Here!

If you are searching for information on any specific State's Workers Compensation Laws then go to this page. Here you will find a great workers compensation state law reference that provides information on each state's workers comp rules and regulations:

Workers Compensation State Laws, Rules and Regulations Reference

If you need to know:

who's required to carry workers comp;

workers comp rules for sole proprietors, corporate officers, LLC members or partnerships;

if workers compensation waivers are allowed;

the workers compensation numerical exceptions for your state;

how your state treats workers compensation for contractors;

how to contact your state's workers compensation authority;
then this is where you need to begin your search.

Just check out the list of all 50 states on the right side of the page, select your state and you'll be taken that individual state's re-cap of the work comp laws.

This information is brought to you free by Workers Compensation Consultants!

Thanks!

Benefits of a Workers Comp Audit and Code Review -

Here's a page on who can benefit from an independent workers comp audit and code review:

Industries and Employers Who Benefit from a Workers Comp Audit and Code Review

It's estimated that somewhere between 25% and 50% of all businesses overpay for their workers compensation insurance. So it's pretty easy to figure out just who benefits from having a workers comp audit and code review performed! Every Business!

This page, by Workers Compensation Consultants, will give you a better idea of just what type of industries have more success in discovering errors and having them corrected during a review.

All Contractors, all types, all sizes

Manufacturers

Wholesalers

Distributors

Transportation

Medical, Hospital and other health care

Large Retailers

Machine Shops

Associations

Processing and Assembly

Not for Profits

So if you are engaged in any of the types of industries listed above you need to contact Workers Compensation Consultants
to arrange a workers compensation audit and code review for your business today!

Thanks!

Pay As You Go Workers Comp - The Real Problem

Here's the problem with Pay As You Go Workers Comp, it's sold all over the place online as the hot new trend in workers compensation insurance when in fact it's just a new way to pay premium.

On this web page by Workers Compensation Consultants, you'll find the real problems with pay as you go workers comp;

emphasis only on how to pay;

restricted work comp codes;

still require down payments,deposits;

loss of budgeting;

loss of control;

limited choice of insurance carrier;

still have work comp audits;

still have certificates to deal with.

This web page will delve into the real nuts and bolts about pay as you go workers compensation insurance! Here's the link:

The Problem With Pay As You Go Workers Comp

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Top Five Tips About Workers Compensation - For new & experienced employers!

You'll find the top five tips every employer should know about workers compensation insurance on this web page: five things every employer should know about workers comp insurance.

This page is full of great information every employer should know. You'll learn:

about the workers compensation basics;

how to develop good job descriptions;

how job descriptions are used to determine workers compensation codes;

how to classify your payroll by work comp codes;

how to watch for misclassification of workers comp codes;

to always have your workers compensation policies and audits reviewed by: Workers Compensation Consultants.

We know this page will help you keep your work comp premiums as low as possible during these difficult economic times!

Thanks!

Reduced Annual Workers Compensation Premium By $15,000 - Want to know how?

In this tight economy, how would you like to cut your workers compensation premium by $15,000? How about $111,500? Don't think it can be done?

Then you need to visit $111,500 reasons why you should use our service!

The above link takes you to a page found on Workers Compensation Consultants web site where you'll find a description of an actual case in which one single error cost a business owner an estimated $111,500.

This was not a complicated workers comp error, but one that insurance agents and auditors seemed to overlook for several years. A simple error that had a significant impact on the bottom line of this business.

Workers Compensation Consultants discover and help correct workers comp errors just like this one.

So, if you wonder why you should use a professional workers compensation consultant to review your audits, workers compensation codes, experience mod factors and premium calculations, think about the $111,500 reasons, and contact Workers Compensation Consultants!

Thanks!

What is workers compensation payroll?

When it comes to workers compensation rules and regulations payroll may just mean more than what YOU think it means!

Workers compensation insurance policy premiums are based primarily on two items, remuneration or payroll and rates per class code. So in order to fully understand how a workers comp policy is priced you have to know what constitutes payroll under the rules and regulations of workers compensation.

This new web page will help you understand just what payroll is and just how it effects the work comp premium you pay!

Here's the link:
Workers Compensation Payroll and Remuneration

Thanks!

Lookup Your State Workers Compensation Laws and Rules.

This site provides a list of all 50 states where you simply pick a state, go to that states page and find out the workers compensation rules and regulations. You'll also find links to each of the 50 states governing authority for workers compensation.

Here's the link:
Find Workers Compensation Rules, Laws and Regulations For All Fifty States

This is where you can find out;

if an employer is required to carry workers compensation;

if sole proprietors, partners, LLC members and corporate officers are included in workers compensation;

who the rating bureau is;

if the state allows waivers;

if there are special rules;

how contractors and subcontractors are treated in regards workers comp coverage;

who the regulatory authority is and how to contact them;

if workers compensation is compulsory or not.

So if you are looking for any information about workers compensation rules, regulations, statutes or laws be sure to visit this page brought to you by Workers Compensation Consultants.

Thanks!

Dispute A Workers Compensation Audit - Learn When, How and Why.

There are right ways to do things and wrong ways to do things and when it comes to filing a proper dispute on a workers compensation audit there's only ONE way to do it right!

Workers Compensation Consultants has provided this FREE information page to give you advice on how to properly file your complaint.

Here's the link to this page:
How to File a Workers Compensation Audit Dispute

Go here and you'll learn;

when to know if you should file a dispute;

how to properly file your complaint;

and why you should dispute your workers comp audit.

We hope this page will help and remember if you need professional help just contact Workers Compensation Consultants!

Thanks!

Monopolistic States Workers Compensation

Not all states are equal when it comes to workers compensation! And the Monopolistic States are in a class of their own!

There's a new page on the web that helps answers these questions about the Monopolistic States;

What is a Monopolistic States?

Which States are Monopolistic?

What makes each of these states different?

What problems do employers face within these States?

What does the future hold for Monopolistic States workers compensation?

Here's the link:

Monopolistic States Workers Compensation - The History - The Problems - The Future

Hope this helps you out! Thanks!

Workers Comp Audit Errors - A Top Ten List

Ever wonder what the most common mistakes found on a workers compensation audit might be?

Then take a look at this page: Audit Errors and Mistakes - A Top Ten List. It's provided by Workers Compensation Consultants. You'll find out ten of the most common mistakes that literally costs employers tens of thousands of dollars each and every year in overpaid workers compensation premium.

If you are an employer and are required to provide workers compensation coverage for your workforce, then this page is a must read! Best thing, IT'S FREE INFORMATION! So check this page and find out if YOU are OVERPAYING for YOUR workers compensation!


Remember, if you need help with a workers compensation premium audit problem contact Workers Compensation Consultants, a professional work comp consulting firm, who works for you!

Help For A Workers Compensation Problem!

Workers Compensation Consultants is a professional workers comp insurance consulting firm. If you find you need help with a work comp problem you should always check with them to see if they have a quick answer for your specific situation.

You'll find that Workers Compensation Consultants specializes in solving premium problems for their clients. They maintain a great web page that's chocked full of free, valuable information about workers compensation insurance. And don't forget to check out the specific workers compensation information for your state which can be found on their site. Just click the link on their home page for any state for more information.

So don't forget to check with WCC for help with answers to your questions about workers compensation.

You can find them at:

Workers Compensation Consultants

A glossary of workers compensation terms for your use!

Confused about workers compensation terms? Employer, injured worker or insurance professionals all need help when it comes to understanding the somewhat confused language of workers comp!

Don't let the work comp claims adjuster, work comp auditor or insurance agent talk circles around you. Arm yourself with this FREE workers compensation glossary provided for your use by Workers Compensation Consultants.


We know you will find usable definitions of workers compensation terms on this page. Just visit:

Workers Compensation Glossary of Terms

Have a great day!

Bad Workers Compensation Audit? - Learn how to file a proper dispute.

It happens all the time. An employer gets his workers compensation audit in the mail from his insurance company and is surprised the insurance company wants more money!

Workers Compensation Consultants has put up a new page on their website designed to help employers know how and when to dispute a workers comp audit. Yes, there is a proper way to do this and if it's not followed, an employer could land in more trouble than they bargained for! Don't believe the short cuts, just get the facts. Answer the questions on this page and find out if you really need to file a dispute.

So take a look at this page:

Know when and how to file a workers comp audit dispute

You'll find some great free information about this topic and if you need some help, just call Workers Compensation Consultants!

Workers Compensation Codes - Uncover the Mystery!

To explain the workers compensation codes and classification system can be a challenge, a challenge to individual employers and insurance professionals alike. But a good understanding of the work comp codes and classifications can be a very useful tool for any employer. With a better understanding, an employer will be able to unlock some of the secrets to the workers compensation pricing mechanism. You'll find this page by Workers Compensation Consultants a great resource of free information on this topic.

Topics included on this page are:

A general overview of work comp codes and classification

A classification code and rate example

Specific state classification problems

How to determine a proper workers compensation code

Standard exception classes

Find out who's responsible for assigning work comp class codes.

And more...

Here's the link to this page:

Workers Compensation Codes and Classes Explained

Hope this information helps you out. Don't forget to contact Workers Compensation Consultants for independent help with workers comp codes and classifications.

Thanks!

Need help preparing for a workers compensation audit? Read on!

If you dread the workers compensation auditors visit to your business then go to this new Workers Compensation Consultants web page on how to prepare for an audit. You will learn what TO do and what NOT to do when presenting your payroll information to the insurance company auditor.

Learn about how to prepare your payroll records for presentation to the auditor. Learn what a workers compensation auditor is really looking for when they conduct your audit. Learn about those things to avoid when facing an insurance company auditor.

So if you have a work comp audit scheduled or coming up in the future just go to the below web page. You will find it helpful!

Help preparing you for a workers compensation audit

While you're there don't forget to look around! You'll find a ton of helpful,useful information about workers compensation.

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Pay As You Go Workers Compensation Insurance - Just What Is It?

There's a hot new trend in the world of workers compensation insurance. It's called "pay as you go workers compensation."

How's this really different from traditional workers compensastion insurance? What makes this new way of paying for workers compensation attractive? What's the REAL facts about this new trend?

If you're looking for REAL answers about "pay as you go workers compensation," don't go to those web sites that are selling or hawking this product, go to Workers Compensation Consultant for an in depth discussion about the pros and cons with this product.

Below is a direct link to the Workers Compensation Consultants page concerning this topic:

Helpful information about "Pay As You Go Workers Compensation" with a discussion about the pro's and con's.

Hope this helps you out! Thanks!

What's This Blog All About.....

It's really simple. This blog is all about bringing new and updated information to the web about workers compensation. More importantly it's a place where we will provide you with updated site information and let you know about new content about workers compensation placed on these sites as it comes available. Hope this blog will be of some assistance to you. Thanks!