“HITTING THE BRAKES ON WORKERS’ COMP COSTS”
Long-term care facilities face a number of challenges in their efforts to control and maintain workers’ compensation costs. Employers can address these challenges by implementing measures designed to minimize the number of claims which are filed and to effectively manage those which are active in the workers’ compensation system.
First, nursing home administrators must work with a safety consultant in order to ensure that the workplace is as safe as possible for all of its employees. Preventing workplace injuries is, in fact, the most important part of any workers’ compensation policy. Next, the employer should prepare a plan containing procedures for employees to follow should an accident occur within the long-term care facility. Then, in the event of an injury, the facility should thoroughly investigate all aspects of the alleged incident, in order to ensure that the employee’s claim is substantiated by the facts and, if applicable, by eyewitness testimony.
Once a claim has been filed, it is important for long-term care administrators to remain aware of any and all proceedings in the case and, if necessary, to work with and oversee the efforts of a third-party administrator, who may be hired to handle the day-to-day details of the process. In addition, the employer can help to reduce costs by encouraging the employee to return to work as soon as possible, even if only on a restricted or “light duty” basis. Finally, the employer should be familiar with the various federal and state rules governing medical leaves of absence, so that its workers’ compensation policy is compliant with the law when it comes to dealing with employees who are absent for an extended period of time.
(In order to read the entire article, please see the April/May, 2007 issue of Contemporary Long-Term Care magazine, published by HCPro Media Group, a division of HCPro, Inc., 200 Hoods Lane, Marblehead, MA 01945)
