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Out of the Work Comp Loop
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Out of the Work Comp Loop
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I deal with a number of different work comp insurance carriers for several companies. I have noticed lately that they all seem to be keeping us, the insured employer, out of the communication loop on
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Out of the Work Comp Loop
posted at 9/1/2009 7:03 AM EDT
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Posts: 62
First: 9/13/2005 Last: 11/19/2010 |
I deal with a number of different work comp insurance carriers for several companies. I have noticed lately that they all seem to be keeping us, the insured employer, out of the communication loop on the handling of claims and treatment. The claims adjusters are dealing with the employees directly regarding treatment issues, and I feel like I am constantly hounding the claims adjusters to let me know what is happening. In one particular case where the employee is no longer working for the company and we have changed work comp carriers, I am getting no information whatsoever about what is happening with the claim. In another case, a claim was settled by the work comp carrier without my knowledge. I hear about employers managing work comp claims and costs, but how is that possible when the carrier makes all the decisions and doesn't communicate with the employer? Is this a trend that others are seeing? |
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Out of the Work Comp Loop
posted at 9/1/2009 8:37 AM EDT
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Posts: 2146
First: 2/15/2006 Last: 9/14/2011 |
It seems to depend a lot on the carrier themselves and possibly what state you are in.
Texas has an "in network/HMO" option that gives the employer more control. Under that I have seen much better claims control and involvement of and communication to the employer. I am not sure what other states offer this option. We get a pretty good discount off our rates for choosing "In Network", but it is only as good as the actual network. One of our companies has no near doctors or hospitals, so for that one we chose the traditional WC insurance. I will say I have seen many instances where employers are kept out of the loop...and unfortunately it can greatly affect the experience rating and subsequent WC rates for years. We finally had a claim drop off the history this year and our rates dropped 33% on one company. {It happened before I was hired and was ongoing when I was hired and it got so high because I knew nothing about it, we thought it had closed and the insurance company didn't communicate with us -- and their contact was the receptionist because we had outsourced our HR to PEO, but this was one of the companies that wasn't covered under them. I switched carriers as soon as I could because they did nothing to communicate/protect us.} Personally I am of the opinion that the claims need to be ACTIVELY managed from the employers' side and have found carrier(s) that manage them that way -- my favorite seems to be Hartford. But they wouldn't touch the company above...so we cover them under another carrier who is good, but not as good as Hartford. |
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Out of the Work Comp Loop
posted at 9/1/2009 9:11 AM EDT
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Posts: 62
First: 9/13/2005 Last: 11/19/2010 |
Thanks so much for your insight! We went with the cheapest carriers, and perhaps we are seeing the impact of that choice now with non-existent communication and poor claims handling by the carrier resulting in bloated, high-dollar claims. |
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Out of the Work Comp Loop
posted at 9/3/2009 11:55 AM EDT
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Posts: 21
First: 6/17/2009 Last: 6/21/2010 |
I think you should insist that the carrier keeps you in the loop. Mine started to get out of the habit and I had to call weekly to get them back on track. The claims adjusters are very busy and do not manage your claims like you would. Also, it sends a different message to the employee when you are communicating with them on a regular basis about their condition.
Good luck! |
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