With regard to Handicap Reimbursements, CareWorks Comp guarantees our customers that we will review all lost time claims that are eligible for the BWC’s Handicap Reimbursement Program. Each claim in which an eligible handicap condition is identified will be filed within the BWC’s prescribed filing time limitations. There are 26 conditions that the BWC recognizes–from diabetes to epilepsy to, even, arthritis. If we are able to show the BWC that one of these allowable conditions slowed the injured worker’s recovery from the claim and had nothing to do with the injury, we will petition the BWC to remove a portion of the claim’s cost out of your experience.
With regard to Lump Sum Settlements, we will only make settlement recommendations that produce a favorable outcome for the employer. When reviewing a claim for settlement potential, we will:
Review current claims costs as the starting point for all settlement negotiations.
Estimate and utilize future medical and compensation in the settlement proposal.
Consider your program enrollment and the impact that a settlement will have on your participation (e.g. Group Retro refund impact.)
Include the injured worker’s current employment status as part of the settlement discussion.
Settlement can bring closure to a frustrating and difficult claim that is a drain on your company’s resources and time. Even if a claim is no longer in your experience and impacting your current premiums, settlement can still provide a benefit to you by eliminating the nuisance of ongoing claim activity. The good news is that you have an equal voice when it comes to the terms of the settlement and no settlement can be processed without your consent. Remember, settling a claim closes the claim and removes the reserve. The claim is still used 4 times to calculate our EMR (Experience Modification Rate.)
Our dedicated Cost Containment Team is here to assist you at every step of the cost savings process! We are available to discuss your account and offer specialized recommendations based on your organization’s individual needs.