AmeriSys News

National Preparedness Month: Make future emergency plans [Infographic]

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:04:21 GMT

September is National Preparedness Month. Sponsored by CDC, EPA, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and other federal agencies, the purpose of National Preparedness Month is to encourage us to create emergency plans for the future and take preparation steps, ahead of time, within our homes, businesses, schools, and communities.

What are your risks?

First, know what disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. Make sure your family has a plan and practices it often. FEMA's website has a variety of preparedness tips for such hazards as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, landslides, tornadoes and more, along with pandemics and active shooter incidents. View each event and their list of protective actions.

Also be sure to download the FEMA App to get preparedness strategies, real-time weather and emergency alerts.

Create an emergency kit

If you were stranded in an emergency, do you and your family have everything you need at hand for at least three days? You may want to assemble your kit now in easy-to-carry bags or bins; consider keeping a second kit in the trunk of your car. Include medications, pet supplies, diapers, etc. Bring bottled water and non-perishable food items. A radio with extra batteries and important papers including your tribal ID, should be included.

Related: Your business disaster recovery plan: A back-up plan to keep you humming

Have alternate plans

Have an emergency plan to shelter in place, and one to evacuate. If hunkering down, do you have everything you need? If evacuating, what routes will you take? Have at least two different routes in mind. Also, decide on meeting places now, should the family be separated during the day by school and work locations. If you have pets, children, seniors or disabled persons in your household, you'll need a more detailed plan to keep them safe. Click on each of the four to see tactics to consider.

Related: Do you have a business continuity plan?

Plan ahead for your business

This infographic, provided by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety along with the Insurance Information Institute, outlines safety steps for small businesses to take before, during and after a disaster.

How to prevent workplace slips, trips and falls

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:51:46 GMT

Minimize workplace slips, trips and falls with these tips

Despite being one of the most easily preventable hazards, slips, trips and falls (STFs) continue to be a leading cause of workplace accidents, hospital visits and insurance claims. The conditions that lead to these types of incidents are often very minor – a small liquid spill, a slight deviation in the height of a sidewalk, and so on – but in some cases injuries can be severe or even life-threatening. Read through the following tips to help your commercial clients prevent workplace slips, trips, and falls.

Risks and Hazards

STF incidents can occur due to environmental hazards, human error or a combination of the two. Properly managing environmental factors can drastically reduce the likelihood of STFs due to human error. A dual strategy of implementing procedures to prevent environmental hazards and educating staff to raise awareness are crucial elements in preventing workplace slips, trips and falls.

Commonly found environmental hazards include:

Walkway height variation of a quarter inch or more
Basic wear and tear of walkways (cracks in floors or sidewalks, potholes in parking lots, crumbling curb edges, buckling due to roots and landscaping, erosion, etc.)
Conditions that create slippery surfaces on walkways, such as mud, water, ice, dead leaves and so on
Improper housekeeping practices such as:
- Storing objects or material in walkways
- Improper care and maintenance of walkways
- Tardy response to spills and other messes
Lack of adequate procedures to properly address seasonal hazards, such as snow, ice, rain or slush
Lack of appropriate mats and floor coverings, or those that are improperly maintained

Regarding human error, here are some common reasons for STF incidents:

Distracted walking due to:
- Preoccupation or frustration
- Talking to others or looking away from intended trajectory
- Being lost in thought
- Using electronics, such as cell phones, while walking
Walking faster than normal, or being in a rush
Wearing improper footwear for conditions, work or floor type
Not expecting a sudden change in walking conditions due to distraction or poorly marked hazards

Related: Five pillars of a successful return-to-work program

Preventing workplace slips, trips and falls

The good news is that slips, trips and falls are 100 percent preventable through systematic and consistent mitigation that addresses controllable elements. Review the following tips for ways to get started or refine your current approach:

Determine your liability. Check local ordinances and laws to determine your responsibilities regarding your facility walkways and outdoor or shared access walkways, such as sidewalks or parking lots.
Create a maintenance and inspection program to ensure all walkways are in good repair and free of defects. Regular inspections should be conducted regardless of who is responsible for maintenance. Damages can be reported to the responsible party in a timely manner and repairs can be affected promptly. Examples of walkways that require maintenance and inspection include:
- Stairs
- Ramps
- Hallways
- Sidewalks
- Curbs
- Paths
- Parking lots
Implement hazard response procedures that are appropriate for your facility. Some samples include:
- Flag any defects or hazards with highly visible paint, cones, barricades, signs or warning tape; effect repairs within a 30-60 day timeframe.
- Ensure any abrupt changes in elevation such as curbs, stair edges and ramps are marked with highly visible paint.
- Conduct regular housekeeping to ensure any hazardous conditions are addressed promptly (applying mats, deicer, traction, etc.)

A good way to test your current practices and procedures is to look at them from the perspective of a liability test. Keep the following questions in mind both when conducting inspections and reviewing your procedures:

Duty of ordinary care: Has the responsible party taken the care (or actions) that a reasonable person would take to ensure that the premises are safe?
Breach of duty: Has the responsible party done something they should not have, or not done something they should have to make the premises reasonably safe?
Damages or injuries: Did the responsible party’s failure to exercise reasonable care in keeping the premises safe cause damages or injuries?
Proximate cause: Has an individual suffered damages or injuries while using or accessing the responsible party’s property?

Safe walkways are the foundation of a safe environment. Make sure your commercial employees are equipped with the tools they need to prevent workplace slips, trips and falls.

This article originally appeared on Arrowhead’s Tribal blog. It is used with permission, and has been updated and modified to better fit the needs of AmeriSys' workers' compensation claim clients.

Steps to reduce on-the-job injuries

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 12:28:38 GMT

How to minimize or prevent lifting injuries

Every year, more than a million employees in the U.S. suffer back injuries due to improper lifting. In fact, back-related injuries account for at least 20 percent of injuries in the workplace, and 25 percent of all workers’ compensation claims involve back injuries. What steps could you take to reduce on-the-job injuries from improper lifting?

John has worked for your company for 11 years, and never injured himself. However, last month, after moving boxes, he experienced substantial pain. He insisted that he used the same lifting motion he’s always used, but this time he experienced an injury severe enough to miss three weeks of work.

Sandra’s office job doesn’t typically involve physical exertion. Last week she received a shipment of notebook covers. While trying to move the box back to the storeroom, she injured her back.

You hired Keith for his enthusiasm. He’s eager to tackle any task. This morning, his third day on the job, you observed him unloading boxes, not using proper lifting methods.

Typically, employers use three methods to reduce on-the-job injuries from improper lifting:

Educating and training on workplace safety, including safe lifting
Careful selection, orientation and placement of workers
Designing the job to help reduce the risks

In this article, we’re going to focus on the third option, because it takes a holistic view of the job, including proper movement techniques and the equipment needed to perform the tasks safely. As you begin to review the various jobs at your company, focus on those that generate the highest number of employee complaints or claims.

How you can reduce or eliminate lifting exposures for your workforce

Step one: Evaluate tasks to reduce on-the-job injuries

An analysis of the various tasks involved in the job is the starting point and needs to be completed by an in-person observation of your workers performing their daily tasks. You’ll need to bring along a small tape measure to help you measure distances. The information you collect can then be compared with the NIOSH Lifting Equation, a tool used by occupational health and safety professionals to assess the manual material handling risks associated with lifting and lowering tasks in the workplace. This equation considers job task variables to determine safe lifting practices and guidelines.

In evaluating the tasks, you’ll need a clear picture of each of the movements involved and how often the task is repeated.

You’re going to be logging:

A description of the task, such as “lifting boxes from a handcart to the floor”
Load – both an average and a maximum weight
Location of the hands at the beginning of the movement, both in relation to the floor and to the spine
Travel distance – the vertical distance the hands move throughout the move
Asymmetric angle – the degree to which the body must twist or turn during the lifting task
Coupling – an estimate of how secure the individual’s contact is with the object while it is being handled
Frequency – how often the task is repeated within a 15-minute period
Duration – the time spent on this task during the eight-hour shift

Step two: How do we compare?

Use your data that you’ve recorded and enter it into the NIOSH worksheet to see how well or how poorly the task is being completed.

Step three: What do we need to change?

Now that you’ve performed the calculations on the form, you can create a plan for improvement. Based primarily on the lifting index and recommended weight limit (but including other factors on the worksheet), you can determine which are high risk indicators.

What’s “high risk”? LI (Lifting Index) shows you how far away from the RWL (Recommended Weight Limit) the actual weight is. An LI of more than 1.0 introduces risk; the higher the LI, the fewer people will be able to perform this task without injury. Therefore you may want to consider task modifications of LIs above 1.0, particularly if they involve any significant amount of bending, twisting or reaching. Learn more at ErgonomicsPlus.

Step four: Develop a plan

The most effective controls are those that modify the job to fit the worker better, to reduce on-the-job injuries.

Administrative controls. You may need to introduce new procedures or training to maintain these physical changes, such as

Safety rules
Assignment of responsibility
Self-inspections
Personal involvement by top management
Safety training of employees, supervisors or managers

Man vs. machine. Whenever possible, first let a machine do the work. Ensure that workers using the machines or equipment are adequately trained; develop best practices to control any added exposures such as machine guarding, struck by objects, trips and falls. Your machines should be on regular inspection and preventative maintenance programs.

Overhead cranes and hoists
Fork trucks
Genie lifts
Two wheelers
Pallet jacks
Lift tables

Manual handling. Introduce better options for procedures that will continue to include manual lifting, such as

Eliminate the need to lift or lower:
- Change the height of the worker
- Change the height of the work area
Reduce the weight to an acceptable Lifting Index by reducing the:
- Size
- Container weight or capacity
- Number of objects handled simultaneously
Reduce body motions during the task
- Bending: keep materials at work level; lower the worker; raise the work level
- Twisting: keep materials in front of worker; provide swivel seats; use mechanical devices to change material flow direction; allow enough space in work area to turn and step
- Reaching: reduce the size of the object; place materials/tools/controls as close to the worker as possible; allow enough space to walk around or get closer to objects

Chances are your business includes a multitude of job descriptions, so focus your efforts to control risks on those that have the most frequent incidents of injury. By improving those, you can begin to reduce on-the-job injuries - particularly lifting injuries - within your workforce.

This article originally appeared on Arrowhead's Tribal blog. It is used with permission and has been updated and modified to better fit the needs of AmeriSys' clients.

Workplace violence: How to create a safer environment

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 11:30:10 GMT

Two co-workers continually ridicule a third co-worker, unbeknownst to management. Fed up, she slashes tires on their cars in the employee parking lot and is caught on surveillance tapes. A belligerent customer showed up today, yelling and pushing over chairs. The ex-spouse of an employee has shown up for the past three days, trying to embarrass your employee and make trouble for her.

Workplace violence is “violence or the threat of violence against workers,” whether while at work or away from work, says OSHA’s fact sheet on workplace violence. A growing concern for employers, it can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide.

Two million American workers are victims of workplace violence annually, says OSHA. It can strike in a global corporation and a mom-and-pop shop; no workplace is immune. However, several studies have identified these factors as increasing an employee’s risk for workplace violence:

Contact with the public
Exchange of money
Delivery of passengers, goods, or services
Having a mobile workplace such as a taxicab or police cruiser
Working with unstable or volatile persons in health care, social services, or criminal justice settings
Working in isolation
Working late at night or during early morning hours
Working in high-crime areas
Guarding valuable property or possessions
Working in community-based settings

How managers can better secure their workplaces

There are two primary ways managers can protect their employees: First, establish a zero tolerance policy towards workplace violence against or by your employees. Examples include verbal abuse of coworkers, excessive outbursts or displays of temper, harassing phone calls or emails.

Second, establish a workplace violence prevention program. Be sure to incorporate the information into an existing accident prevention program, employee handbook, or manual of standard operating procedures. Ensure that all employees know the policy and understand that all claims of workplace violence will be investigated and remedied promptly.

Related: Top 7 workers’ compensation claim mistakes and how to avoid them

Third, screen potential employees, conducting background checks. Adopt a “drug-free” workplace and initiate a drug testing program.

In addition, employers can offer additional protections such as the following:

Provide safety education so employees know what conduct is not acceptable and what to do if they witness or are subjected to workplace violence, and how to protect themselves.
Secure the workplace. Where appropriate to the business, install video surveillance, extra lighting and alarm systems. Minimize access by outsiders through identification badges, electronic keys, and guards.
Provide drop safes to limit the amount of cash on hand. Keep a minimal amount of cash in registers during evenings and late night hours.
Equip field staff with cell phones and hand-held alarms or noise devices, and require them to prepare a daily work plan and keep a contact person informed of their location throughout the day. Keep employer-provided vehicles properly maintained.
Instruct employees not to enter any location where they feel unsafe. Introduce a “buddy system” or provide an escort service or police assistance in potentially dangerous situations or at night.

Related: Workplace Personal Protective Equipment

How managers can train employees to protect themselves

While it’s impossible to thwart or prevent every act of workplace violence, these steps can help reduce the odds:

Take all threats seriously
Mentally prepare for “what if” situations
Learn how to recognize, avoid, or diffuse potentially violent situations by attending personal safety training programs.
Alert supervisors to any concerns about safety or security and report all incidents immediately in writing.
Avoid traveling alone into unfamiliar locations or situations whenever possible.
Carry only minimal money and required identification into community settings.

Warning signs of employee violence

Learning to recognize the warning signs is a critical step for both managers and their employees, to ensure their own safety. Here are the red flags to watch for:

Stage 1

Unusual behavior changes
Uncooperative with direct supervisor on a regular basis
Profuse cursing
Argues with coworkers constantly
Spreads gossip and rumors deliberately to harm others
Unwanted sexual remarks
Hostile toward customers or coworkers
Irritability and anxiety escalates
Sleep disturbances are mentioned on the job

Stage 2

Plays the role of a victim
Writes violent or sexual notes to other employees or management
Verbalizes desires to harm coworkers or employer
Sabotages equipment or steals property
Disregards company policies and procedures
Levels of arguments or altercations increase with all personnel
Accidents increase; either physical or traffic-related
Noted decrease in interest and confidence in work

Stage 3
Intense anger is the frequent emotion displayed, resulting in:

Depression or withdrawal
Property destruction
Physical fighting
Suicidal threats
Use of weapons to harm others

Steps to take after an incident

Whether the incident was caused by a customer or an employee, these steps are crucial to minimize dangers and damage, both now and in the future:

Remind employees to report and log all incidents and threats of workplace violence.
Provide prompt medical evaluation and treatment after the incident.
Report violent incidents to police promptly.
Inform victims of their legal right to prosecute perpetrators.
Offer stress debriefing sessions and posttraumatic counseling services to help workers recover from a violent incident.
Investigate all violent incidents and threats, monitor trends in violent incidents by type or circumstance, and institute corrective actions.
Discuss the circumstances of the incident with staff members. Encourage employees to share information about ways to avoid similar situations in the future.
Discuss changes in the program during regular employee meetings.

Additional resources:
https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-workplace-violence.pdf
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/

This article was originally published on Arrowhead Tribal blog. It is used with permission and has been updated and modified to better fit the needs of USIS' claims clients.

Best practices for managing a remote workforce

Tue, 16 May 2023 14:38:33 GMT

Working together while working apart: Managing a remote workforce

Many business enterprises are evaluating approaches for return-to-work efforts and their related safety considerations. As many of these approaches utilize a gradual, phased approach, returning the entire team to “business as usual” probably won’t be an option for awhile. Remote work will continue to be the new reality for your employees who make up the final “wave” of those returning to work.

For many, shifting to a remote workforce was a crucial part of maintaining operations in the midst of the pandemic. Despite the challenges this transition posed, now that your remote workforce is up and running, what’s next? Is your remote workforce indefinitely sustainable, or just treading water? Since there’s no telling how long telework may be necessary, read on for tips in managing a remote workforce.

Related: ‎Cyber protection for your entity

Tips for Managing a Remote Workforce

An effective team is an empowered team. Remote work is no exception. Make all reasonable accommodations for remote workers by providing them with tools that will facilitate effective workflows and communications. Whether it’s virtual platforms such as time and task management software, or physical attributes such as office chairs, monitors or telephones, ensure your team is equipped to deal with remote work challenges.

Technology

Make sure every employee has a phone number where they can be easily reached for work. If employees use personal cell phones or other personal devices for work, have clear policies for appropriate use, security and reimbursement, if applicable.

Workspace

Check in with employees to ensure they have a suitable home office setup. Address any needs they might have or equipment they are lacking. If finding a place to work undisturbed in the home is difficult, brainstorm creative solutions to ensure they have an effective workspace.

Ergonomics

It’s no good to have employees working from home if they sustain injuries as a result of using poor equipment, from unsuitable office chairs to poor lighting. Consider allowing employees to take certain items from the office home. Provide check-out procedures to ensure these items are properly documented, tracked, disinfected and returned when remote work is no longer necessary.

Communication

A great deal of human communication is comprised of nonverbal cues, so in-person, face-to-face communication is arguably the method that results in the fewest miscommunications. With remote employees relying heavily on channels such as email, text, chat, or phone calls, many nuances in communication can be lost. Encourage your remote team to use video conferencing technology whenever possible. Remind staff to be conscious of their tone when writing and to not assume negative intent in written messages from others.

Social Interaction

Whether introverts or extroverts, humans are deeply social creatures. An unexpected and prolonged loss of normal social outlets can affect work performance and productivity. Try managing your remote workforce by encouraging social interaction whenever possible to help lessen these effects:

Make time for small talk. Small talk is an important aspect of office culture, and is even more important in a remote reality. Make efforts to help your employees connect on a personal level. This builds rapport and interpersonal bonds that can be critical during stressful projects and times of uncertainty.
Make time for one-on-one communication. Encourage your leaders to make extra efforts to connect one-on-one to their employees on a regular basis. This will ensure that employee needs are being met and allow them to air concerns, questions and other crucial information freely.
Show appreciation. Taking the time to thank and show appreciation to employees can go a long way to reduce some of the negative effects of isolation. These messages should be sincere and well-worded, especially if they are written.

Related: Five pillars of a successful return-to-work program

Breaks

As boundaries between workplace and home begin to blur, encouraging firm delineations between home and work life helps prevent burnout. Remind employees to take regular, structured breaks as they would if they were in the office. This means time away from the desk. Eating an energy bar while answering emails does not count as a lunch break.

Responsiveness

While teleworking employees should be responsive, don’t expect them to be immediately available 100 percent of the time, even during regular working hours. Set clear and reasonable expectations about responsiveness and productivity while working remotely.

Mental Health

Encourage employees to take care of their mental health. Ideas could include taking walks or spending breaks outside to promote daily exercise and mood boost.

Social Time

Create opportunities for employee social time over communications platforms, such as virtual “coffee” breaks, birthday celebrations or other festive occasions. This creates opportunities for employees to relax and enjoy each other’s company outside the context of work assignments.

Until society returns to “business as usual”, remote work will be an important aspect of operations for enterprises. In fact, it’s likely that remote work will continue to be a primary method of engagement, at least for some. As a result, knowing how to effectively manage a remote workforce is a crucial skill for employers.

Inspiration for this article was taken from the following sources. Read on for further tips and insight for how to manage a team remotely:

10 Tips to Manage your Remote Team
Long Distance Leadership
Managing Remote Employees
Self-Care Tips for Remote Workers

This article originally appeared on Arrowhead Tribal blog. It is used with permission and has been modified and updated to better fit the needs of AmeriSys' claims clients.

Your business disaster recovery plan: A back-up plan to keep you humming

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 11:30:33 GMT

No matter where your insurance client (or your entity, if you're self-insured) is located, there’s always the risk of a natural or man-made disaster. Of course you’re aware of this – that’s why you have property insurance. Whether it’s tornadoes in the Midwest, floods in Texas or fires in New Mexico, Arizona and California, disasters seem to occur on a regular basis. Does your enterprise have a business disaster recovery plan to keep you humming, no matter what?

A recent national survey of 300 senior business professionals revealed that less than a quarter of businesses felt they were “very well prepared” to address challenges related to extreme weather or a natural disaster. Moreover, one third of respondents admitted they didn’t have a formal disaster recovery plan in place.

Both the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the U.S. Small Business Administration have created easy-to-follow checklists and kits to help you as a business owner prepare for any kind of business interruption, so that you can quickly reopen and resume business following a disaster. We recommend you download them (they’re free) and put them to good use.

Here’s a brief overview of what you’ll find inside both kits: step-by-step instructions followed by downloadable forms you can use in your preparedness planning.

What are your primary risks to cover in your business disaster recovery plan?

First up is identifying your business risks, and then ranking them by severity and probability. These threats can range from earthquake or flood, to power outages, workplace violence and more. Your county may be able to provide a local hazards vulnerability analysis that will give you insight as to potential natural and manmade hazards for your area. Those that you rank the highest should be your first risks for which to nail down a plan.

Next, consider the impact of these threats on your enterprise:

How will they impact your ability to do business?
If one should occur, who would you need to contact?
Which of your business functions could be handled remotely, by employees at home?
Which of those functions have legal, contractual or regulatory aspects that you must continue to fulfill while your business is impaired?
What work-arounds can you deploy for each of those functions, to keep your business humming?
How will you protect your computer systems and data? Data storage firms offer offsite backups of computer data that can be updated regularly via the internet.
Will you need a back-up location to operate out of, until your main building is repaired? If you cannot afford to shut down your operations, even temporarily, determine what you require to run the business at another location.

Related: Do you have a business continuity plan?

Third, should the disaster occur during work hours,

Have you created an evacuation plan with pre-arranged meeting spots, and does everyone know your plan? View the “What to take when you evacuate” checklist created by Agility Recovery.
Have you developed a shelter-in-place plan for such emergencies as a tornado or flood? Again, do all employees know where those safe places are?

Include a communications sequence in your business disaster recovery plan

Fourth, think about how you will communicate with employees, customers, vendors and other contacts:

Do you have all employees’ emergency contacts?
Do you have a list of employee home and mobile phones and personal email addresses – and is a copy stored offsite?
Do they know how to contact you to find out if your business is open or how long it will be closed?
Can you access a customer list offsite, should you need to email them about the situation? How will you handle communications to ensure you don’t lose any customers?
Can you also access a list of vendors and business partners from offsite, including, for instance, your insurance agent, your bank, payroll service, internet service provider and more?
View Agility Recovery's Crisis Communications checklist for communicating with each group

Other risks and issues to consider

Speaking of the internet, you’ll want to ensure you have access to all passwords and logins offsite. What data is crucial to keeping your business going? Create backups on more than one medium, such as thumb drive and Cloud. Back up computer files, specifically accounting, payroll, tax and other pertinent records. It’s also a good idea to keep a backup copy of each computer’s operating system, boot files and critical software. Finally, you’ll want to keep a current inventory of all computers, printers and other digital equipment, including serial numbers.

Related: 4 Pandemic Employment and Tech Trends Challenge Insurers

Also think about how you will bankroll your business during this time. Consider an emergency cash reserve fund and have a line of credit or a business credit card available. Create a payroll continuity plan so that employees know what to expect. Talk with suppliers, utilities, your landlord, etc. and work out an interim payment plan if necessary. And of course, report your losses asap so that your claims adjuster can get your case moving quickly.

Both kits from the SBA and IBHS not only provide forms to help with planning, they also provide a scenario to help you hone and test your preparedness plan. Additionally, the SBA kit provides specific checklists for various disasters, from hurricanes to winter weather, to wildfire or earthquake and more.

Resources:
Developing a Small Business Disaster Recovery Plan
How to create a disaster recovery plan for your business

This article originally appeared on the blog of our sister company, American Claims Management. It has been modified and updated to better fit the needs of AmeriSys' clients.

How to protect yourself against mobile ransomware

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 11:30:00 GMT

What you need to know about mobile ransomware

If you've been following the news lately, you know the dangers of ransomware on business computers. There's an emerging threat as well: mobile ransomware. Here's how it works:

Your mobile phone screen freezes, then goes black. Up pops a message saying "Your phone is locked. We have downloaded all your data. We will begin to sell your personal information on the black market every 30 minutes until you pay $100 to unlock it."

From the cyberhacker's mind, that's the beauty of mobile ransomware. You're willing to pay - it's just $100 - and you can't live without your phone. Nor do you want your personal data to be compromised any further. (And who's to say they won't sell it anyway, even if you pay?) So cyber criminals reap the benefits that quickly add up, as they hack more and more mobile devices. By the way - it's not just smart phones that are targeted: it's also tablets, smart TVs and potentially any other device with Internet connections. That's why we're providing these tips on mobile ransomware prevention.

Related: Cyber protection for your entity

A type of computer malware, ransomware restricts access to files on an infected device or network. Once a user inadvertently downloads a Trojan virus disguised as a legitimate app or file, or clicks on a bogus ad that redirects them to a rogue website, the device is completely vulnerable. The rogue website then exploits unsecure browser plugins to download the ransomware. When activated, the ransomware encrypts files on the system´s hard drive - locking them from the owner.

You - the owner - must then pay a ransom in order to decrypt the files. Once payment is received (it may be payment via bitcoin, an iTunes gift card, or other gift card you must purchase), the hacker releases the encryption key. This allows you to recover access to the files on the infected device or network. Because the ransom demands are for relatively small amounts in relation to the cost of replacing the inaccessible data, most victims pay up and do not report the crime. Consequently, it's not known how many people and organizations have been victims of mobile ransomware attacks.

Mobile malware threats are growing

A few years ago, Consumer Reports relayed the news of a bogus app downloaded from Google Play (Google's app store for Android phones). The article interviewed Daniel Padon of Check Point, a California cybersecurity company, who said, "The main issue here is the fact that such a severe threat managed to penetrate Google security and enter Google Play." He said this malware was especially sophisticated, using a number of innovative evasion tactics to avoid detection. Some of the malware is uploaded to victims' Google accounts, so even when they tried protecting themselves by restoring the phone to its factory settings, whenever they accessed any files they had previously stored in the cloud - the phone was re-infected.

Related: Are you vulnerable to a data breach?

Mobile ransomware prevention: How can you protect yourself?

Mobile ransomware prevention uses the same tactics you already use to protect your computers: The FBI recommends enabling pop-up blockers, using antivirus and firewall software from reputable companies and always backing up data. Remind employees includes never to click on links in any texts or emails, or download attachments they do not recognize and to avoid suspicious websites altogether.

Cybersecurity experts add these tips:

Keep your device updated with both the latest operating system and the newest versions of mobile apps, in which known vulnerabilities have been fixed.
If you're an Android user, only download apps from Google Play. Yes, this one malware slipped through their defenses, but the app store remains much more trustworthy than other third-party sites.
Install a security program that scans app purchases before downloading, to check for suspicious activity.
Regular back-up is crucial. "If you ever thought that one day you finally would download and install that strange boring back-up software, today is the day," said a Kaspersky official in an Insurance Thought Leadership article. "The sooner back-up becomes yet another rule in your day-to-day PC activity, the sooner you will become invulnerable to any kind of ransomware."
Before you download a file from the Internet, notice its extension (.mov, .pdf, .gif, etc.). If it's supposed to be a PowerPoint file, but has an .exe extension rather than .ppt, it's definitely malware.
Update your software as soon as you're notified. On your PC, most widely used programs (Flash, Java, Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Windows and Office) have an automatic update feature. Keep it turned on, and don’t ignore requests from these applications for the installation of updates.
If you're really concerned about vulnerability, it's best to use an iPhone. Apple can quickly push security updates to all cell phones, but Google doesn't have that control over Androids, rendering them more susceptible to attack (the exception is Google's own Nexus and Pixel phones).

More protection tips

Some experts say mobile ransomware isn’t yet as dangerous as the desktop version; it's more likely to lock your screen than encrypt your files. "Simply resetting your device could set you free. If your files are encrypted, and if you regularly back up your device to the cloud or a separate device, you can most likely just wipe your entire device (thus removing the ransomware) and simply re-upload all of your apps and storage from the backup," explained Kevin Haley of Symantec in a blogpost on SHI.com, adding that regular backups of your phone and other mobile devices should be part of a consistent mobile ransomware prevention routine.

"Just as with desktop ransomware, don’t pay the ransom on mobile ransomware," he added." It won’t necessarily make the ransomware go away, and it only incentivizes hackers to infect you again – if you paid once, you’re likely to pay again."

This article originally appeared on Arrowhead's corporate blogpost. It is used with permission and has been updated and modified to better fit the needs of AmeriSys' clients.

Should you have an employee mobile phone policy?

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 15:55:00 GMT

Texting and driving: When you're at risk, along with your employees

Do you need an employee mobile phone policy? The answer is yes, if driving is part of any employee’s job. Because most of us have a symbiotic relationship with our cell phones, they’re never more than arm’s length away – even while we’re driving. So the temptation to check that incoming message, whether text or email, is just too great, as is the urge to make a quick phone call. And therein lies the problem.

Consider these statistics from Distraction.gov and DistractedDriverAccidents.com:

Of the 2.5 million people involved in road accidents annually, more than half (1.6 million) involve cell phones.
25 percent of crashes are caused by texting and driving; this includes voice-to-text messages
More than 330,000 accidents caused by texting while driving lead to severe injuries.
Some 78 percent of severe injury accidents involving distracted drivers are due to texting.
Texting and driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than drunk driving. Read this again. It means that it’s actually statistically safer to drive while drunk than to drive and text. (We strongly discourage both!)
Accidents occur when a driver’s attention is taken off their driving for an average of three seconds. However, it takes a driver typically a minimum of five seconds to read a text.
In those five seconds to read a text, the average driver has traveled a distance longer than a football field. Multiply that distance by four if they’re texting back a message.
The chances of a crash because of any reason is increased by 23 times when you are texting. Even if the crash is another driver’s fault, you will probably have been able to avoid it if you had been looking at the road instead of the phone.
Even taking a call is dangerous: 21 percent of road accidents involved talking on the phone, whether hands-free or hand-held. Studies show that it’s the distraction of the conversation itself, not the act of holding the phone, that contributes to accidents, says the National Safety Council.

“There’s been a spike in severity and frequency over the last couple of years of commercial auto claims, and it doesn’t seem to be declining,” said Dhara Patel, president of American Claims Management, a sister company to AmeriSys, in an interview with Insurance Journal TV. “The number of drivers who actually admit they were texting or talking on their cell phone when the accident occurred is incredibly high; I’d hate to see what the real numbers are, including those who wouldn’t admit to it.”

Related: Top 7 workers’ compensation claim mistakes and how to avoid them

Even if your client’s employee is driving his or her own car while on company business, they may be held legally accountable for their worker’s negligent act of texting and driving. They may also be held accountable for NOT having a safe use cell phone policy in place. Those are just a few reasons why an employee mobile phone policy is crucial to a company’s viability.

What should an employee mobile phone policy include?

The policy should include any employee who drives, whether their own vehicle or a company vehicle – during the course of their job. Each employee should read and sign the written document. Include the following:

Cell phones cannot be used while operating a vehicle. No exceptions.
Create a voicemail message saying you are not available or driving and will return calls when safe.
Allow voicemail to handle your calls.
Pull off the road to park in a legal and safe location if you need to use or adjust your phone’s GPS maps and navigation, place a call or send a text.
Ask a passenger to make or take the call or text for you.
Explain to regular callers such as family and friends your driving schedule, including when you will be available to talk.
Keep hands on the wheel and eyes and mind on the road.

Related: Why it pays to report work comp claims promptly

How else can we reduce distracted driving?

Consider these options to help your client monitor and encourage distraction-free driving:

Be aware of state laws in each state where employees drive, as laws vary state-to-state, and incorporate those laws into their written policies.
Use mobile phone-blocking technology for cell phones in company-owned vehicles.
Use in-cab cameras to monitor distance drivers.
Implement a discipline program for violating policies.

What other resources are available?

The National Safety Council’s Distracted Driving website offers a variety of materials including posters, tip sheets, infographics and training webinars. They also offer a Safe Driving Kit for employers and a distracted driving online course.

While there’s no surefire way to completely safeguard your client’s potential liability, incorporating these guidelines into their employee mobile phone policy can help reduce the risk of a claim.

Note: This post originally appeared on Arrowhead’s Tribal blog. It is used with permission, updated and modified to incorporate information for all commercial business owners and managers as clients of AmeriSys, to help them guard against additional workers' comp claims.

Cyber protection for your entity

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 15:03:00 GMT

Because practically everyone in this country carries some form of insurance, it just makes sense that our industry is a major target for cyber threats and that all of us need to enhance our cyber protection. The information required by insurance, both personally identifiable information and protected health information, present a goldmine to cyber criminals and can be highly damaging should we be compromised. What’s more, online digital storage has greatly increased vulnerability to cyber attacks.

What can you do about it? While this post is not intended to provide an in-depth, soup-to-nuts discussion, here are the top seven steps you should take to protect your data and your clients.

1. Perform a security audit

Determine what data needs extra protection, such as clients’ personal information, your financial records and your employee records. Note where this information is collected, housed and where/how it moves: from your servers, to various types of cloud storage via third-party vendors, and on mobile devices and email.

Related: Are you vulnerable to an insurance data breach?

2. Cyber protection for your data and files

This is the crucial second step, which includes back-ups, network security, passwords and encryption.

Network security. First, ensure that anti-virus software, intrusion detection and firewalls not only keep malware and hackers at bay, but also let you know when they’ve been penetrated. That means have robust anti-virus and anti-malware software and install all updates – immediately and on all devices. Never skip this step.

Back up. Make sure your files are backed up regularly – and test the backup to see that the data is indeed fully recoverable. Do this and you’ll never worry about paying for ransomware on your system.

Passwords. You know the drill; now do it. Never continue using the password provided by the vendor. Never use “Password123”. Make your password strong and not easy to guess – it should not be an actual word, but a combination of letters, symbols and numbers. Hackers have an automated tool that combines dictionary words and numbers in what’s called a “dictionary attack” to be able to quickly hack easier passwords.

Encryption is quite effective as a security measure, particularly when data is in transit, such as on a laptop or thumb drive. If stolen, thieves won’t be able to use the data. Encryption software is readily available and shouldn’t cost you an arm or a leg.

Related: Do you have a business continuity plan?

3. Train your staff

Because the majority of the time it’s human error that causes a data breach, whether through lost equipment, use of an unsecured WiFi or unknowingly downloading malware from an email or website, your staff needs to be super-vigilant with your cyber protection. Train them on what a phishing email looks like. Ensure they use secure passwords and won’t provide secure information over the phone. Training also puts them on notice that you are watching their activity.

Consider limiting access to data you need to secure. The fewer the employees with access, the more secure the data. For those who need temporary access, provide a temporary login and then terminate that login afterwards.

4. Create security policies – and enforce them

Your staff needs to understand clearly written security policies and consequences when they’re not followed. For instance, no personal devices can access secure data via an open WiFi. Any mobile devices that do access that data should have up-to-date security software. All potential employees should be thoroughly vetted to screen out potential inside hack jobs as much as possible.

5. Control vendor access

Carefully choose vendors who store your data on the cloud, ensuring they have the right protections and security measures in place. Jon Neiditz provided this checklist in his blogpost on Big Data Tech Law:

What does the vendor offer in third-party audits and certifications?
What else can the vendor promise about their safeguards?
Will the vendor know if there is unauthorized access to your important data, and will they tell you at the first signs of such access?
What rights, if any, will you give the vendor in your data, or to any data derived or created from your data?
How, if at all, can the vendor share your data with any other entities, and other what conditions?
How will you get your data back at the end of the contract, or how will the vendor protect what it keeps?
If the vendor has access to your systems, how have you limited that access to what the vendor needs to do its work for you?

6. Consider cyber liability coverage

Many carriers will require this. Enough said.

7. Plan for a data breach, in spite of your cyber protection

Assume that someday, it’s going to happen. What are your next steps? How will you contain the breach? What data security experts will you call in? How will you inform your clients, employees, carriers, vendors and others? Where will you direct consumers (clients and employees) to report any suspected loss? What are your legal obligations? Take the time to think it through, then write down your plan, including all contact information, in one file. Encrypt and save on a thumb drive, then store in a safe place.

“If you respond right, an incident that could really hurt your business can actually build trust,” said Neiditz.

Related: 4 Pandemic Employment and Tech Trends Challenge

Securing your business’s data is a multi-step process that takes time and expertise. Implementing these practical solutions makes it tougher for hackers to slip in; hopefully they’ll move on to easier pickings because your infrastructure is not worth the trouble of hacking into it.

Sources:

Keep employee data safe
7 ways ransomware could invade your company
What are the leading causes of data security breaches?

This article was originally published on Arrowhead's corporate blog. It is used with permission and has been modified and updated to better fit the needs of AmeriSys' clients.

Are you vulnerable to an insurance data breach?

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 12:44:00 GMT

How to guard against an insurance data breach and keep your cyberspace secure

Regardless of the size of your company, you run the risk of a cyber attack, which grows with the number of employees you have, particularly now since some employees are still working from home. In an Oct. 2022 Renolon article, it’s reported that on average, 47.63 percent of small businesses are hit by cyber attacks. Granted, an insurance data breach in a smaller firm happens less frequently than those against major companies or insurers – but those hackers will try to use you to move higher up the food chain, into still larger companies or carriers.

Hackers know that few small businesses put a huge priority on processes to prevent and manage cyber attacks. Verizon's 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report states the number of small businesses that have experienced a cyber attack has increased steadily over the last few years. Some reasons contributing to the rise compared to larger companies are smaller businesses often have fewer security defenses in place and hackers find easier access to data.

Insurers and their clients store more consumer data than ever, making them an attractive target for insurance data breaches. As hackers become more sophisticated and insiders become bolder, they need to safeguard data that belongs to them and their clients.

The C-suite can close their eyes to the problem, hoping to fly under cyber thieves’ radars because they’re so small; many companies will be successful – for a while. Plus, smaller companies just don’t have the IT budget for robust cyber security. However, “When it comes to security breaches, there are two kinds of companies: those that know they’ve been hacked and those that haven’t yet discovered they’ve been hacked,” said one security expert.

Not only can they wreak havoc inside your company’s systems and with your client data, but what if you become the door to a larger breach? Try explaining that to the head of IT Security when they find out you, unknowingly, passed along malware causing their data breach, due to your lack of in-house security.

Security analyses also show that once you’ve been the target of an insurance data breach, you have an even greater likelihood of a breach occurring again and again, barring any robust protection you engage.

According to a QuickBooks commissioned survey, “More than one in five small businesses (23 percent) describe cybersecurity as one of the biggest threats they currently face.” The survey reflects the following list of small business exposure to cybersecurity breaches:

Malware 18%
Phishing 17%
Data breach 16%
Website hack 15%
Denial of service 12%
Ransomware 10%

In this post we’ll focus on phishing and ransomware.

Related: 4 Pandemic Employment and Tech Trends Challenge Insurers

Posted: No phishing, spear-phishing or whaling

Certain types of attacks–social engineering attacks, like phishing, for example–are much more commonly aimed at small businesses, according to this article in StrongDM.

First, a few definitions. You know what phishing is: tricking unknowing victims into providing usernames, passwords, credit card details, etc. by sending an email with a link to a phony website that looks like the real thing – but isn’t. It’s like fishing with a net: no one in particular is targeted, but the scammer figures he’ll catch one or two. Spear phishing is a little more sophisticated in that the scammer knows a little more about you, and the email looks quite a bit more authentic. These emails can target all your employees, for instance. Then there’s going after the big fish: whaling, which targets executives, using their name, email address, phone number and company name, luring them to a phony website to gain backdoor entry into their systems. When headlines focus on Russia, China and North Korea vying for major company secrets, and the tens of millions of credit card details and other personal data exposed in breaches, it’s easy to believe that a targeted attack only happens to the big guys. However, no business is too small or too obscure to become a target, and it’s tough to know when cyber attackers have your organization in their sights. Insurance agencies store more consumer data than ever, making them an attractive target for cyber attacks.

Social engineering mimics you

Another phishing scheme used by hackers is social engineering. Think of it as a con game: The con man studies his victim, getting to know her, and then persuades her to do something that she wouldn’t otherwise do, because the victim thinks she’s protecting herself.

It could be anything from being tricked into thinking your computer has been infected with malware (a computer virus) or you’ve accidentally downloaded illegal content – then the con man offers you a solution to instantly fix the bogus problem. But the “fix” actually downloads the malware so hackers can gain access. The three phishing schemes above fall under this loose category, as does something as simple as the hacker in the form of a potential client leaving a USB thumb drive where you’re sure to find it. You load it onto your computer so that you can figure out who it belongs to, and voila! You’ve installed malware.

Ransomware holds your agency hostage in an insurance data breach

Ransomware is malware that prevents users from accessing files and data on their computer and threatens permanent encryption or deletion of that data if a specified ransom amount isn’t paid, and according to a ransomware report by Coveware, 82 percent of ransomware attacks target small businesses.

Hackers don’t particularly want to destroy or permanently encrypt the data – they just want quick cash. Historically, the ransom demand has been a relatively small amount, to make payment the easier choice: just pay the nuisance sum and get data access restored quickly. When one of your employees unknowingly clicks on a file or attachment that contains a ransomware virus, it will enter your system and hold it hostage.

Ways to minimize or eliminate your ransomware risk are with solid and efficient backup procedures and data restoration plans. With a robust backup system in place, even if your company’s data is encrypted by hackers, that same data is recoverable from your own backup systems.

The recent BakerHostetler Data Security Incident Report states, “Ransomware remained the most prevalent and impactful type of data security incident. Investments in security enhancements and business continuity practices are making companies more resilient and less likely to choose to pay, driving down the average ransom payment amount.”

In our next post we’ll talk more about how you can beef up security and train employees to spot these schemes before they infect your system, to protect your company from an insurance data breach.

Resources:
What Percentage of Small Businesses are Hit By All Cyber Attacks [2022 Update] (renolon.com)
2021 SMB Data Breach Statistics | Verizon
Small Business Insights: Inflation now the No.1 concern for small businesses - QuickBooks (intuit.com)
35 Alarming Small Business Cybersecurity Statistics for 2023 | StrongDM
Ransomware Quarterly Reports (coveware.com)
BakerHostetler Launches 2022 Data Security Incident Response Report - Resilience and Perseverance | BakerHostetler (bakerlaw.com)

Five pillars of a successful return-to-work program

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 12:40:00 GMT

How to evaluate and improve a return-to-work program

Workers’ compensation insurance and claims experts agree: return-to-work (RTW) programs that help employees get back on the job after an occupational injury or illness are a cost-saving and effective workforce management strategy. The key is creating and managing a truly effective return-to-work program.

“An employer must go beyond just creating a company-wide policy or an occasional offer for temporary duty,” explained Cheryl Gulasa, Amerisys vice president. “A successful return-to-work plan should be integral to a company’s safety plan. This helps reduce the longevity of an injury, helping the employee get back to work more quickly, in a role that he or she can handle without difficulty, until they’re fully recovered.”

However, as one IRMI commentary explained, risk managers must understand that not every temporary alternate work offer will save the employer money. A worker may reject her employer’s offer upon her doctor’s advice. Or a returning employee on light duty may be reinjured, resulting in his filing a second claim that could be even more expensive.

It’s important that your clients or you (in the case of our self-insured clients) evaluate their return-to-work program on a cost-analysis basis, comparing year-over-year results of total claims, average claim duration, average claim cost and more, to see how results are trending.

But many workers’ compensation advisors believe there are other metrics to consider as well. Before we dive into those benchmarks, we’re first going to lay the groundwork of best practices for a return-to-work program.

How critical is a return-to-work program?

Well-documented in their ability to reduce both the costs and the duration of workers’ compensation claims, RTW programs minimize the economic and human impact of disability. According to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board, an effective RTW program can save a company 35 percent in medical costs and 30 percent in lost time days.

Any delay is costly in the workers’ compensation system: The experience modification factor calculation is weighted so that the first $5,000 of every case counts the most. Any bottleneck can lead to a lost time claim which will exceed this $5,000 value. If you or your clients can operate a return-to-work program at a level where lost time claims are routinely avoided by providing modified work, they’ll see reduced workers’ compensation costs.

Consider the alternative of no RTW program: An injured worker on medical leave is receiving close to their full salary with workers’ compensation benefits yet contributing nothing to the company’s bottom line. The employer, on the other hand, will need to pay a replacement employee to do their job while they’re off duty. Essentially, they’re paying twice the salary for the one job. This likely will also result in increased premiums in the future, continuing for the three years of the experience period.

As a cost-saving measure, an RTW program can help reduce claim reserves – the amount of dollars set aside for future claims. Second, it can improve experience modification ratings, which impacts not only rates but possibly your or your client’s ability to win a bid for a future contract or business based on their in-depth RFP.

A successful RTW program works hand-in-hand with a safety management system. Once an injury occurs, their RTW is the next best way to reduce the human and financial impact of injury. It also assists in reducing the potential for secondary conditions – both physical and psychological – from developing, ranging from depression, anxiety, loss of motivation or confidence to substance abuse, weight gain and loss of muscle tone.

In a nutshell, a well-oiled RTW machine works to ensure employees recover faster both physically and psychologically and return to their full-duty jobs sooner, leading to improved morale, better performance and lower premiums for employers.

Five factors of a return-to-work program that contribute to its success

1. An RTW program is part of a larger loss management program, not a free-standing plan. It’s step three in the process, after 1) accident reporting/ investigation and 2) medical treatment.

“The medical providers your company chooses must understand your business and then work with you to determine the optimum temporary alternative work for the recovering employee,” Gulasa explained.

Your company should have on file written job descriptions that detail physical requirements to provide the doctor, to help in the assessment. Otherwise, doctors are on such tight schedules that, without knowing the physical requirements of both the injured worker’s permanent job and temporary role, the doctor may simply take the safe route of vetoing work of any kind.

2. Active communication with the doctor is crucial. Receiving up-to-date medical reports can help place the injured employee more quickly into a temporary role. It’s best to have the employee either drop off the report personally after their visit or ask the doctor to provide you with updated reports. This allows the employer to make the offer of alternative work more quickly, in time to prevent a medical-only claim from becoming a lost-time claim. When alternative work is necessary, assigning a return-to-work case manager is an effective way to bridge the gap between the employer and the physician. This ensures all information is exchanged quickly, and the employee is able to undertake their alternative work assignment without any delay.

3. Review of the modified work role should be ongoing. Ideally, the temporary job should last 30-90 days. The plan should include a weekly review of the injured employee’s performance in their alternative role. That way, if the worker is struggling physically in the easier role, or has a bad attitude, adversely affecting those around him, you can catch it early and consider withdrawing the offer. You can help them make the call as to whether it’s more costly to keep the employee in the modified role or to place him back on benefits.

4. Supervisor buy-in greases the wheels to recovery. Playing a key part in the success of your program, supervisors can help not only establish job descriptions but also modified duty assignments. They monitor the employee’s healing progress and performance in the modified role. They also ensure that the injured worker doesn’t exceed work restrictions, possibly aggravating the injury.

5. Careful documentation of their RTW program will help in future litigation. First, you are minimizing the risk of litigation from the present claim, because you can show the employee refused a reasonable offer to return to work – therefore he or she should not receive continuing benefits. “Without a job offer, the odds of having a judge remove an employee from workers’ compensation benefits are close to nil,” said the previously mentioned IRMI article. Additionally, when litigation does occur at some point, you have a track record to show their ongoing procedure of making good faith job offers, thereby greatly strengthening your case.

“Occasionally your workers’ compensation clients will experience situations where a job offer won’t result in net savings to the employer,” Gulasa added, “however, that doesn’t mean your return-to-work program is not beneficial in general.”

RTW strategies have proven to save employers money and help them maintain a stable workforce. The long-term alternative? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after six months, there’s only a 50 percent chance that an injured employee will return to work. After one year, the chances of a successful return to work drop to 25 percent.

This blogpost was originally published as a blogpost of American Claims Management, our sister company. It has been updated and modified to better fit the needs of our clients.

Why it pays to report work comp claims promptly

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 12:27:00 GMT

How faster workers’ compensation claim reporting can reduce costs

It pays to report work comp claims promptly. Conversely, the longer your insurance client waits to report a work injury, the more expensive that injury is likely to be. Our sister company American Claims Management found that when a workers’ compensation claim was reported more than 10 days after the event, costs rose by 60 percent on indemnity claims and 64 percent on medical claims.

A 2015 study by National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc. (NCCI), as reported in Business Insurance, confirmed our findings: delayed injury reporting, it said, can increase comp claims up to 51 percent. The spike in costs for claims reported later may be caused by injured workers seeking attorney assistance with their claim, the report said. Attorneys were involved in nearly 13 percent of claims made the same day as the accident, versus nearly 32 percent when claims were made four or more weeks later.

Related: Top 7 workers’ compensation claim mistakes and how to avoid them

How fast filing of a work comp claim helps your client

1. Get the evidence. The sooner the incident is reported, the faster you (and your claims investigator) can interview witnesses and collect evidence, and the more accurate your investigation will be. A couple of weeks after the incident, witnesses forget what they saw and the chain of events.

Making it your goal to always report work comp claims promptly is key not only in your claim resolution but also in your risk management, to help you assess the situation and determine what additional safeguards need to be enacted. Additionally, if there’s anything about the claim that you choose to dispute, you’ll be glad to have this early evidence.

2. Ease employee concerns and reduce potential for litigation. Reporting the injury as soon as possible also works to ease the injured employee’s concerns, as your client is immediately providing medical care at their expense, along with explaining how the injured person will receive additional care and wage replacement payments if need be – fears that could otherwise lead them to seek attorney representation. Immediate medical care could also result in less costly physical therapy versus surgery, should the injury continue unchecked for a matter of days or weeks.

3. Safeguard employee morale. If employees know your client isn’t reporting the claim or making proper moves to protect the injured worker and guard against any future repeat of the incident, they’ll have disgruntled employees on their hands. That problem will only escalate. Making it clear that the injured worker is receiving the medical care they need often results in his or her being willing to return to work more quickly, even in a light duty role.

Related: AmeriSys announces workers’ compensation care upgrades

How to reduce lag time and report work comp claims promptly

Few employers have trouble reporting a more serious work comp claim, because the injured worker obviously needs immediate care, and it’s clear when and where the injury occurred. It’s those smaller claims that typically go unreported at first, where the employee seems to be fine and can initially shake off the incident. Here are a few tips to consider:

Discuss and encourage early reporting with your clients.
Ensure their supervisors and employees understand how to report an injury and who their point of contact is (along with a back-up person). At the same time, assure employees that your goal in the event of an injury is to help them return to work as quickly as they’re able, showing your long-term commitment to them.
Make certain that supervisors know how to use their incident report. Encourage your work comp clients to conduct brief five-minute trainings during staff meetings to walk through the report, explaining what information is needed and the importance of being detailed.
Remind clients that if they enact strict workers’ compensation claim reporting deadlines, they shouldn’t punish employees for reporting “late” if they genuinely may have thought the injury would heal itself. This may push the employee towards hiring an attorney; instead, review these on a case-by-case basis.
For a minor incident that doesn’t look like it will become a full-blown claim, it’s still best to report it in “report-only” mode, which alerts us to the accident without turning it into a formal claim. This actually protects you if and when it does become a more serious claim.

Reporting an injury within 24-48 hours is optimum, experts agree. Our collective goal – your carrier’s, AmeriSys' and your own – is a speedy recovery for an injured worker, and prompt reporting gets us all on that road to recovery much faster.

This blogpost appeared earlier on ACM's blog and is reposted here with permission.

Top 7 workers’ compensation claim mistakes and how to avoid them

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:34:00 GMT

Workers’ compensation claims are potentially part of every business, whether your client (or yourself as a self-insured company) only employs workers sitting all day at desks, construction workers, medical staff, agricultural workers, a fleet of drivers or more. Wherever there are people working, there’s the potential for a work injury - and a risk of accidentally creating one or more workers' compensation claim mistakes. That’s why your clients need you not only to insure them, but to provide best practices.

Regardless of your client’s particular risk for work injuries, it pays to know what the top risks are, and how they can avoid them. Forewarned is forearmed, they say, so share these top mistakes (and how to avoid them) with your insureds.

They already know to ensure they’re hiring employees properly qualified for the job. They’re training new hires how to safely perform job duties. And they’re continuing regular (and documented) safety training for all employees, focusing on proper use of equipment and how to identify and handle potential hazards.

However, in spite of their best efforts, an employee has been injured and they’re faced with a claim. Here are the top seven workers’ compensation claim mistakes seen most frequently, along with how they can avoid them:

1. Waiting to report the workers' compensation claim

Not reporting a claim right away is a bad idea that will cost money in the long run. Our studies show that when a worker’s compensation claim was reported more than 10 days after the event, costs rose by 60 percent on indemnity claims, and by 64 percent on medical claims. Even if the incident appears to be minor, it’s still best to report it in “report-only” mode, which alerts us to the accident without turning it into a formal claim. This actually protects your client if and when it does become a more serious claim.

Related: AmeriSys announces workers’ compensation care upgrades

Filing right away does two things: it allows the investigation to begin immediately, while details are still fresh in everyone’s minds, and it also assures the injured worker receives the proper care and attention so that they can recover more quickly – again, saving your client money.

2. Failing to investigate immediately

“The best investigator on a workers’ compensation claim is the injured worker’s immediate supervisor,” said James Ryan, senior vice president of field claims at SRS. Why? Because the supervisor understands the job role and duties and has valuable insight into where the injury occurred, and if there were any extracurricular activities that might impact the claim. The supervisor also knows the claimant and coworkers, and can quickly gather eyewitness reports. These details are crucial to the adjuster who will be investigating the claim, and will help to minimize any workers’ benefits claim mistakes.

3. Not sufficiently documenting the accident details

Asking all the right questions – the who, what, when, where, how, why, how much and what else – must be quickly followed by filling out the accident report. Secure the scene and preserve any evidence. Take photos of the scene. Diagram how it happened. Record eyewitness testimony and have them sign their statement. Keep detailed notes of everything you see and what’s said. If possible, obtain an urgent care or emergency room report.

4. Not obtaining a medical release

A million things are happening at the time of the injury, and no doubt their supervisor is ruffled. Our claims adjuster will most likely have the injured employee sign a medical release right away that spells out what should be released, and for what time period. That way, the adjuster has immediate access to medical records so that the decision regarding compensability can be made more quickly. This provides additional intel to the adjuster – and gets the employee back on the road to health faster.

5. Not communicating adequately with the injured worker

Depending on the severity of the injury, their employee is frightened. What your client says or gives them to read may not be comprehended fully. That’s why it’s important to over-communicate, offering reassurance with regards to their workers’ benefits and their ability to return to their job. Reassurance can mean the difference between trusting their employer or hiring an attorney to handle their needs.

Related: 4 Pandemic Employment and Tech Trends Challenge Insurers

6. Not actively staying in the loop

Because so many parties are involved – your client, the injured worker, medical care, and the claims administrator – it’s crucial to ensure all communication is flowing smoothly. In addition to the accident report, you may need to provide the worker’s personnel file and payroll history. Work with the adjuster to manage the case to minimize any workers’ compensation claim mistakes and achieve the best outcomes, both in health care and return to work (light) duty.

7. Not having a return-to-work program

Your return-to-work program helps minimize and even eliminate lost-time claims by bringing their employee back sooner in a light-duty capacity. It helps the injured worker realize his value to the organization, and it makes management a hero to all of his or her coworkers.

Encourage your client to brainstorm with their supervisors on light duty possibilities. It’s possible that there are few tasks that can be performed within the worker’s old role, so they may need to pull in other supervisors to offer additional tasks to make up a light duty job temporarily. Then add back in some of the worker’s old tasks when she is able to perform them, working her back in to her old role.

Avoiding these workers’ compensation claim mistakes will not only make the claims process easier and bring back an injured employee faster, but it also can help your clients save money by reducing insurance premiums.

This blogpost originally appeared on Arrowhead Tribal website, but has been modified, updated and posted with permission to better apply to the needs of ICA's clients.

Resources:
Know 8 Costly Mistakes Workers Comp Adjusters Make | Work Comp Resource Center
Handling a Claim: Employer and Employee Responsibilities

Do you have a business continuity plan?

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 12:21:00 GMT

Amidst COVID-19: Is your business continuity plan active?

Your business has weathered multiple storms: Vendors who didn’t deliver. Employee mistakes that cost the company. Perhaps even a claim or two. But do you have a business continuity plan to help weather true storms, the kind caused by Mother Nature or a simple coronavirus? No doubt, thanks to COVID-19, you’ve discovered you need a business continuity plan that includes emergency evacuation, employee safety, communication, protecting your property and more. No matter what Mother Nature throws at you – an earthquake, a flood or even a coronavirus that just won’t quit spreading, you’ll be better able to keep going, with business as usual.

Why is a business continuity plan important?

Here are just three good reasons: One, 40 percent of businesses affected by a natural or human-caused disaster never reopen, says FEMA. Two, your customers expect you to be open and operating (at least, remotely). Otherwise, they’ll take their business elsewhere. Three, even though you’ve worked through all the necessary insurance coverages with your agent, there’s more you need to do. Some strategic planning ahead of time will save you money – and time.

What should a business continuity plan include?

Each plan needs to consider

How you’ll protect the safety of employees and clients, should the emergency happen during business hours
How you’ll communicate with employees, clients, vendors and industry partners
How you’ll maintain your level of service by minimizing business disruptions
How you’ll protect your building, inventory, equipment, computers and digital information
How you’ll protect your company’s image and reputation

How to get started

First, make a list of all hazards that might take place: pandemics, black-outs, winter storms, theft and vandalism, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, fire, cyber attack, or a prolonged absence of key personnel, for instance. Next, add to the list all of your vulnerabilities, from your staff, inventory, equipment and physical office, to your files and information technology. Third, analyze the impact of these occurrences on your business with a business impact analysis (BIA). FEMA has a worksheet that you can use.

Life safety is priority one when an emergency occurs, followed closely by stabilizing the incident and minimizing potential damage. A business continuity plan should provide for first aid and CPR training to employees that you’ve identified and trained beforehand, to help minimize injury and possibly even save lives. Making sure everyone knows where fire extinguishers are located, and how to use them, can extinguish a small fire. Training everyone where the best places for safety are in the event of a tornado or earthquake is also essential.

Many severe weather events can be forecast at least a few hours ahead of their impact, providing valuable time to enact an emergency plan. Now’s the time to finalize and communicate your plan complete with resources that are either on hand or available quickly. Your plan needs to include processes for damage assessment, salvage, protection of undamaged property and cleanup. These actions will minimize further damage and business disruption.

You will need to have a clearly communicated plan for each potential incident, from fires to bomb threats (when and how to evacuate), to threats of violence or a nearby chemical spill (shelter inside the building).

Related: 4 Pandemic Employment and Tech Trends Challenge Insurers

How to communicate

An important aspect of preparedness is your crisis communications plan, enabling their company to respond promptly and confidently during an emergency within hours – and days to come. Make a list of the types of audiences with whom you’ll need to communicate, from employees to clients and from suppliers to claims personnel. Additionally, your plan should include who will speak with news media personnel and the community at large – and what can or should not be said.

Additional resources

FEMA has a robust website full of worksheets, tools and other valuable information that can be of help:

Now’s the time to maintain business-as-usual, with a business continuity plan.

This post originally appeared on a sister company's blog, American Claims Management. It has been updated & modified to better fit the needs of AmeriSys' clients.

Restaurant food safety while COVID-19 continues

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 11:31:00 GMT

Safety steps for restaurants during COVID-19

While not proven to be a primary channel of the coronavirus transmission, it’s important to remain vigilant regarding restaurant food safety during COVID, especially as restrictions ease and food retail industries resume operations. If the operations of your enterprise include food retail of any kind, whether it’s lunch for a board meeting or prepping meals for take-out, be sure to read the following tips to make sure your organization implements all appropriate measures to ensure food safety in the midst of a pandemic.

Basic restaurant food safety during COVID-19

Food safety during COVID-19 starts with the basics. While some extraordinary measures may need to be taken as a result of the pandemic (addressed later in this article), ensuring your organization is already following basic food safety guidelines is the best first step. Make sure your operation adheres to all guidelines set down by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and your local health district. In many instances, the following recommendations can be considered best practices.

The FDA, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and CDC offer the following four basics with regard to food handling:

Clean — Wash hands and surfaces often.
Separate — Don’t cross-contaminate.
Cook — Cook to the right temperature.
Chill — Refrigerate promptly.

In addition, the guidance found in the FDA’s Retail Food Protection: Employee Health and Personal Hygiene Handbook provides valuable guidance for food workers and their employers regarding basic food handling protocols. This is particularly important for your restaurant food safety while COVID-19 is slowly waning (hopefully!).

It is also recommended that any employee who handles food as part of their duties should hold a current food handler’s card or other equivalent certification that indicates they have been trained in basic food safety. These certifications should not be allowed to lapse. Management should oversee compliance in this area, as well as providing additional trainings to employees as needed or applicable.

Related: Workplace Personal Protective Equipment

The following guidance was paraphrased from the FDA’s food safety checklist, Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please follow the hyperlink to access the full list of recommendations and related resources:

Additional food safety during COVID-19

Facility operations

Clearly post any applicable signs regarding new COVID-19 measures for both staff as well as patrons.
Clean, stock, disinfect and sanitize all areas as appropriate in accordance with all applicable COVID-19 recommendations.
Increase circulation of outdoor air in the facility whenever possible.
Implement new protocols to regularly disinfect and sanitize all high-touch areas and items.

Water, plumbing, ice

Ensure potable water is available, hot and cold faucets are in working order and all water and sewer lines are functioning properly.
Flush and maintain all water lines regularly, per manufacturer instructions.
Regularly clean and sanitize all ice machines and bins.

Food contact & non-food contact surfaces

Ensure any sanitizers rated for use against SARS-COV-2 are used appropriately per label instructions and staff is trained in the proper use of these and any other sanitizers or cleaning products.
Develop a disinfection plan or schedule; maintain adequate stocks of sanitizer and other cleaning materials.
Regularly clean all food contact surfaces according to health safety standards.
Ensure there are adequate stocks of single-use articles (i.e. carryout utensils, plastic wrap, disposable gloves, etc.).

Food temperature control

Check to see that all coolers, freezers, and hot/ cold units are functioning, clean, sanitized and protected from contamination.
Verify that thermometers are calibrated to ensure that equipment and product temperatures are within safety guidelines.

Product inspection, rotation

Make sure all food is regularly inspected for spoilage and appropriately discarded if necessary.
Ensure that food is properly labeled and organized per a rotation schedule.
Store all food, packaging and chemicals properly to prevent cross contamination.

Ware washing equipment

Any three-compartment sink systems should be regularly cleaned and equipped with the appropriate soaps, disinfectants and additional equipment.

Handwashing stations

Remind employees to wash their hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, wash hands before and after eating, and after going to the bathroom, sneezing, coughing, or blowing their nose.
Check to see that all handwashing stations are fully stocked with soap and other necessities. Trash cans should be located so employees can open and close door handles with paper towels rather than bare hands.
Provide hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content in a variety of locations. Encourage both employees and patrons to use it regularly.

Employee health / screening

We strongly suggest establishing protocols for employee health screening per CDC guidelines, including:

Employees returning to work after mandatory periods of isolation are in place
Provisions to make up for potential employee absenteeism
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Social Distancing

Take measures to minimize face-to-face contact and enforce at least 6 feet of distance between employees and customers whenever possible.
Limit self-serve options to individually packaged portions, especially in places such as buffets, salad bars and drink stations.
Restrict the number of employees to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet in all workstation areas.

Related: 4 Pandemic Employment and Tech Trends Challenge Insurers

Other Considerations and Resources

Each organization has its own set of unique circumstances that will influence the nature of how they approach restaurant food safety during COVID-19. Ensure you consider all of them in the context of your enterprise, so they are as effective as possible when implemented. Refer to the following materials for additional guidance.

Food Safety and The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Use of Respirators, Facemasks, and Cloth Face Coverings in the Food and Agriculture Sector During Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic
What Grocery and Food Retail Workers Need to Know about COVID-19

This article originally published on Arrowhead’s blog. It has been updated and modified to better fit the needs of AmeriSys' clients and insurers.

4 Pandemic Employment and Tech Trends Challenge Insurers

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 17:54:00 GMT

This article by Dhara Patel, president of Brown & Brown Services Segment (including AmeriSys), published in Property Casualty 360 on April 26, 2022.

Insurers sell a promise, and they deliver on that promise when claims arise. That's where the value of insurance rises to meet the challenges insurers may face in this pandemic, technology-driven era.

Four key factors are impacting the claims business in 2022:

1. Like many industries, the claims business is in the middle of a labor crisis.

Claims adjusting differs from other careers because no formal training or college degree provides a certificate or diploma. Rather, claims expertise is always passed from more-experienced adjusters to newer professionals. With the labor crisis, it’s tougher than ever to recruit and retain experienced adjusters.

In years past, new adjusters received longer training and often worked years in the claims trenches before promotions to management.

Today's carriers want to mentor and showcase their high performers, and promotions may come quickly. A promotion may come even as the new supervisor is still gaining the depth of experience needed to handle tough coverage and tactical decisions.

In an effort to remedy the gap in training and the current lack of personnel, claims managers incorporate as much technology as possible. Technology can be a training and timesaving tool. While technology in claims is not new, our shift is to take people with less experience and use various types of technology to acquaint them with handling more complex claims.

This technology actually helps us with recruiting in that trainees can learn at their own pace. Brown & Brown, parent company of American Claims Management, is launching a new tech tool that offers an “avatar” that assists adjusters in real-life claims scenarios by using programmed training sequences. The trainee works on-line, interacting with the training system using the avatar. This technology allows newer adjusters to solve real-life claims adjusting scenarios with help, resulting in their learning many new tips for claims handling and coverage problems.

Technology offers many advantages in training. In my experience, people seem to be more open when they’re role-playing with technology as opposed to with a person. When you consider the prevalence of remote work, using tech for training and development becomes even more vital.

Technology offers quicker responses to questions and keeps adjusters more focused on their work. Avatar training frees up managers, who are often buried in projects. Less-experienced adjusters learn to work alone, but with prompts from an online avatar that builds confidence and offers 24/7 support.

2. The number of claims is not slowing down despite the pauses from the pandemic.

There’s been an uptick in catastrophe claims. In both the primary markets and reinsurance space, winter storms and freezing weather have put catastrophe claims up about 34% over a 10-year average, reports Artemis, a company that analyzes alternative risk transfer and catastrophe bonds. Adding this increase in claims to a lack of staffing means assistance from automation is a critical component in keeping claims moving toward conclusion.

Customers are increasingly comfortable with mobile apps, virtual appraisals and Al-based claims handling. However, artificial intelligence in claims handling can be a double-edged sword. Some believe that an overreliance on technology can damage customers’ experience during critical moments of their insurer-client relationship.

We can’t forget the customer in the technology process. There should always be a clear path for customers to reach out to their adjusters for answers and reassurance.

3. Virtual inspections are here to stay.

Prior to the pandemic, in-person inspections on property claims were becoming more common. However, those inspections came to a screeching halt during COVID when claimants were concerned about anyone entering their homes or businesses.

For one solution, American Claims Management partnered with a company to do virtual estimating. Using a virtual photo/video tool for real-time estimates, claims adjusters can create a scope of repairs and estimates without leaving their desks. While this technology is not new, it has flourished during the pandemic.

I believe insurers will continue to embrace the virtual approach to claims handling. It’s not only a timesaver, but also less expensive and safer than dispatching an adjuster. Any time you can keep adjusters off roofs and out of traffic, it’s a win-win.

4. Technology must be an integrated part of claims handling.

Automation has been part of document-heavy and data-heavy claims for years. But now an overarching theme of integrating technology flows through every part of the claims process ― from training to adjusting to claims payment.

Insurers increasingly use artificial intelligence (AI) at first report of claims to identify factors that could impact claims outcomes. This includes fraud detection and malingering potential. And, in some cases, it can spot a claimant’s social media activities that could affect healing.

Just as an appraiser can estimate damages in an auto loss, carriers using AI report that the use of predictive technology can improve claims outcomes. Adjusters can focus closely on claims likely to escalate. One carrier is using AI to find the best adjuster to handle specific cases, according to McKinsey & Company, a firm that provides insurers with business intelligence.

Technology is clearly an integral part of today’s claims-handling experience. However, we can’t leave the customer to rely solely on technology. There still has to be human contact because any claim is a human experience. Even as we increasingly turn to technology, we can’t forget the human element.

Workplace Personal Protective Equipment

Mon, 02 May 2022 11:20:00 GMT

In the era of COVID-19, everyday safety essentials include face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and other equipment that helps stop the spread of infection. While these are important materials in terms of the pandemic, workplace personal protective equipment, or PPE, goes a step further. Multiple workplace situations may require PPE. While 2020 was the year to “mask up”, make sure your enterprise isn’t forgetting other critical PPE that your employees may need to perform their jobs safely.

Workplace Personal Protective Equipment

PPE is defined by OSHA as “equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses.” Examples include the previously mentioned masks, respirators, and gloves, but it can also take the form protective glasses and goggles, hard hats, clothing and footwear treated to resist heat or electric shock, and much more. Some scenarios that could necessitate the use of workplace personal protective equipment include:

Administering first aid
Construction, maintenance, or repair work
Using chemicals or corrosive materials
Using any tool or equipment that:
- Has the potential to cut, stab, or puncture
- Operates at high speeds
- Uses extreme temperatures (e.g., welding)
- Creates dust, or causes other particulate contaminates to enter the air
Working outdoors in excessive heat or cold, wind, precipitation, etc.
Elevated work sites where there is a risk of people or objects falling

If your employees perform work that fits into any of these categories, then utilizing workplace personal protective equipment and developing an organizational PPE program is a must. In some cases, taking the time to utilize PPE may seem like more trouble than it’s worth to employees, especially for quick fixes and jobs that only take a minute. But practicing workplace safety should not be optional, for the following reasons:

Preventing workplace injuries
Reducing worker’s compensation claims
Gaining back the time, productivity, and morale that is lost when an employee sustains an injury
Communicating a culture that values employee safety
Reducing the likelihood of organizational liability if an injury does occur

A well-designed PPE program requires organizations to carefully consider what PPE is needed, and to actively analyze the types of hazards and risks their employees face. For example, can the need for PPE be eliminated if a task were performed differently or different tools utilized? Is there more than one hazard inherent in a task that might require multiple pieces of PPE?

Related: AmeriSys announces workers’ compensation care upgrades

It is also important to remember that workplace personal protective equipment is intended as the “last line of defense” between an employee and injury, and is meant to be the final barrier between employees and injury when all other controls and safeguards fail. Using PPE does not excuse an organization from actively mitigating risks, nor is it a 100 percent guarantee against injury. PPE must work in conjunction with a variety of safety measures in order to be truly effective. A perfect world, or at least, an effective safety program, is one where all risks and hazards are mitigated before they even reach an employee’s PPE.

Analyzing Risks

When analyzing a work site or task to determine appropriate PPE, consider the following areas that may need protection:

Eyes are extremely vulnerable to injury, especially from air particulates and fumes or fragments of material that are traveling at high speeds. Safety glasses and goggles are one of the most commonly found and easy-to-integrate types of PPE available.
The head and neck are especially vulnerable to hazards from above, such as objects falling. In areas where this is a possibility, require employees to wear hard hats.
Ears can sustain hearing damage at much lower decibel levels than many people think. In fact, many noises that may seem “tolerable” without hearing protection can still cause damage. Determine the decibel levels of your equipment and also consider the amount of time employees are exposed to those levels to determine ear protection needs. Consult the CDC for more information.
Dust, particles, smoke, aerosols and other air contaminates can cause irritation and injury to lungs. Anything from a simple cloth mask to a respirator may be needed depending on the task.
Hands and arms are a common location for injuries, as they are usually the closest to the work being performed. Consider gloves, long-sleeved attire and appropriate guards for equipment that will help protect hands and arms from injury.
Proper footwear is essential, both for preventing slip, trip and fall incidents, as well as protecting feet from being bludgeoned or crushed by falling objects. Consider the composition of the floor or terrain (concrete, laminate, carpet, gravel, etc.) and any other conditions present at a work site when determining appropriate footwear.
Conditions such as sunstroke, frostbite and other weather-related injuries must be taken into consideration if a task must be performed outdoors. Require employees to wear seasonal-appropriate attire as part of their assigned duties.

Effectively using workplace personal protective equipment

It’s not enough simply to issue PPE to employees – PPE must fit, be in good condition and be used properly. Consider the following protocols for your PPE program:

Employees receive training on the workplace hazards they face and how PPE can reduce those risks.
Employees are trained on how to properly don, doff, store and maintain all PPE.
There is a zero-tolerance policy for not wearing PPE when required or wearing it improperly.
Signs and other reminders are posted in areas where PPE is required.
PPE is replaced or repaired immediately at the first sign of failure or damage.
Appropriate replacement parts suitable for type and brand of PPE are available.
All PPE fits properly and is provided to employees free of cost.
If more than one type of PPE must be used, it has been ascertained in advance that they integrate seamlessly and do not hinder the effectiveness of other PPE.
Extra PPE is available for any visitors that may require it.
Your enterprise is compliant with all applicable PPE laws and regulations.

Conclusion

If the events of 2020 have taught us anything, it’s the importance of PPE, both in the workplace and outside of it. Make sure your employees are protected, beyond face masks and COVID-19.

Resources:

OSHA
CDC – NIOSH
Creative Safety Supply
Health and Safety Executive

This blogpost originally appeared on Arrowhead’s Tribal blog. It has been modified and updated to better suit the needs of AmeriSys' clients.

AmeriSys resolves work comp claims faster with Head Injury and COVID Management programs

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:54:00 GMT

Last week we discussed two 2022 workers’ compensation care upgrades, Rebound and RapidResponse, that not only significantly help resolve claims more quickly, but also lower payouts and reduce litigation costs for employers and insurers. Even more important, they provide injured employees the latest in quality medical care and returning them to gainful employment. Today we’ll discuss two more initiatives, our Head Injury program and our BADGE program that now includes COVID-19 disease management. All four programs will help us resolve work comp claims faster, saving our employers and insurers time and money. View last week's post here.

Head Injury Program

Our Head Injury Program is both a URAC initiative and an advocacy component of our existing programs. URAC brought this initiative to the forefront with the recent recognition of the significance of even minor head injuries. Everest, our carrier partner on this initiative, had several claims from minor and untreated hits to the head that took place two or three years ago, and now have caused major injury issues. Examples are football players, from kids to pros, who’ve experienced multiple minor concussions. This program focuses on these supposedly minor injuries that later are causing post-concussion syndrome headaches, memory loss and more.

In this program, whenever a head injury is diagnosed, a nurse case manager escalates immediate care. This includes ensuring proper evaluations and individualized treatment, improving/enhancing return-to-work outcomes, reducing disability duration, resolving work comp claims faster and promoting a holistic approach to each patient’s individualized rehabilitation plan. In other words, it focuses on early identification to ensure that the proper assessments and evaluations are being completed.

Head injury case study

In October, the employee was sitting in his car while parked on the street. Someone opened his door and hit him with a baseball bat. He was diagnosed with post-concessional syndrome, depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, neck injury, right ear injury, right forearm injury, left forearm injury . Using proactive case management intervention tailored for the individual, the worker was released to full duty four months later and successfully returned to work.

Here’s the savings, thanks to our head injury program:

Our head injury initiative saved the employer’s insurance company more than $7,700.

The BADGE program now includes COVID-19 disease management

The BADGE program, established to manage presumption issues for First Responders, now includes COVID-19 disease management. First responders who have contracted COVID-19 in the course of their employment and are experiencing long term effects need treatment by cardiologists, pulmonologists and neurologists. This program assists these patients in obtaining the care they need for this challenging condition.

Additional medical initiatives for 2022

In addition to the four programs discussed in this and our last blogpost, we’re also deploying the following tools:

Whole Person Assessment, a disability assessment tool that can be used for funding a claim where there is anticipated permanent impairment.
Non-Certified Surgery Program begins when surgery is denied and evaluates Peer Review denial reason, facilitates an appeal if appropriate, and conferences with treaters for a treatment plan.
Pre-Surgical Pain Screening Program begins after surgery is approved. It includes a pre-surgical assessment and patient sessions prior to and after surgery, to support recovery.
Enhanced Pharmacy Program, in partnership with Optum, that focuses on the safety, efficacy and cost containment of pharmaceuticals.
Medical Clearance focuses on minimizing treatment delays. Medical clearance often accompanies requests for surgical interventions. When we see treatment delays because medical clearance is determined to be not medically necessary, we can intervene and, if necessary, work to overrule that decision.
Functional Rehabilitation Program (FRP). While these programs can be costly, they also can help with chronic pain management. We scrutinize any FRP requests to ensure they’re approved on appropriate claims and work with medical providers to create tailored alternative treatment plans.

View our earlier post outlining two additional work comp initiatives, Rebound and RapidResponse, here.

This blogpost originally appeared on American Claims Management's blog. The programs outlined here are a collaboration between sister companies ACM, PGCS, AmeriSys and USIS.

AmeriSys announces workers’ compensation care upgrades

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 14:53:00 GMT

Four of AmeriSys' 2022 workers’ compensation claims care upgrades will significantly help resolve claims more quickly, providing injured employees the latest in quality medical care and returning them to gainful employment. At the same time, they will help in lowering payouts and reducing litigation costs for employers and insurers. These four include Rebound (return-to-work), RapidResponse, Head Injury Program and updates to the BADGE program to include COVID-19 disease management. Today we’ll discuss the first two.

Rebound return-to-work program

Rebound, our return-to-work program, makes the road to recovery easier for the injured worker. As the first of our workers’ compensation claims care upgrades, it includes three assessment phases:

Early return-to-work. The return-to-work nurse coordinator collaborates with treating provider to facilitate safe and appropriate work restrictions according to the official disability guidelines.
Transitional return-to-work. The nurse coordinator manages an on-site job analysis to assist the employer in developing a modified duty accommodation. If that’s not possible, the worker is referred to an alternative duty assignment through a non-profit agency.
Maximum medical improvement with permanent restrictions. The nurse coordinator assists the worker in creating their resume or recommends a job site analysis to help employer develop an alternative permanent position.

Rebound enables injured workers to be productive during their rehabilitation and maintain a connection with their workplace. The program works with the patient and their healthcare provider to help the injured person return to the workplace as soon as they’re medically and safely capable.

“We've experienced a 74 percent success rate in turning employees to work, both modified or full-duty,” explained Cheryl Gulasa, vice president of managed care. “And in 2021, we saw a total savings of $877,797 in medical claims with Rebound.”

Rebound case study

An injured employee was given work restrictions after a work-related injury. The employer did not have a modified duty program to offer, so the employee was not able to return to work.

Our nurse coordinator organized a Job Fit Analysis: an onsite job evaluation with the employer to clarify the injured worker’s job tasks and physical demands for the position. Together they documented competencies required for a job, and provided the list to the treating physician. The nurse and a representative assisted the employer in creating a modified position for the employee so that he could return to work while following the provider’s prescribed work restrictions.

The revised job resulted from the RTW coordinator’s interventions. Once work restrictions were released by the physician, the worker returned to full duty with the employer.

RapidResponse

The second of our workers’ compensation claims care upgrades is RapidResponse Program, a nurse triage program that focuses on historically high-cost claims for badly injured claimants. This program adds a nurse to the claim from the outset, from first report of injury. It focuses on claims that are:

Reported 30+ days after the injury
Continuous trauma from repetitive motion
Complex orthopedic injuries
Motor vehicle accidents
Catastrophic/complex trauma
Patients that are admitted to a hospital
Penetrating, blunt force or rupture injuries
Head injuries
Traumatic events or PTSD claims
Patient is over 65 years old

We’ve found that when the nurse establishes rapport with the injured worker, taking the time to listen to their fears and complaints, answering their questions, educating plus advocating for them, both the worker and the employer have a better grasp of the issues at hand. This leads to reduced litigation and reduced costs.

RapidResponse case study

An employee was injured on the job and tried to work through the pain, hoping it would improve on its own. In early March, he was sent to the ER by his employer because he was unable to walk. When the first report of injury was addressed by a RapidResponse nurse, the employer was concerned about how long the worker had to wait for an appointment (because he lives in a rural area). Our RapidResponse nurse pulled strings to move the claim forward quickly by communicating a revised plan with employer, educating the employee on the workers’ compensation claim process and especially by accelerating appointment scheduling using our Medical Provider Network resources. Otherwise, the employee would’ve waited a week just for an initial medical visit. Thanks to RapidResponse intervention, he had a next-day appointment.

Our recent success rates of the Rebound and RapidResponse programs combined

“In 2020, our case managers were able to close just two-thirds of their files. Then, in 2021, carrier Everest implemented these two programs, and the case managers were able to wrap up 99% of the files by year-end. Once we put these components of a medical coordination program together, the end result is we are able to resolve claims significantly faster,” Gulasa explained.

Next we’ll publish the remaining workers’ compensation claims care upgrades that we’re focused on in 2022, to help resolve claims faster, thereby reducing claims payouts and litigation. View the post here.

This blogpost originally appeared on American Claims Management's blog. The programs outlined here are a collaboration between sister companies ACM, PGCS, AmeriSys and USIS.