Articles

Remember the old Boy Scout motto they have used for over 100 years:Be Prepared.The fact is, when an employee is injured on the job, many employers don’t know where to start. From taking care of the injured worker to filing the claim, to figuring out what happened, a workplace injury can be overwhelming. Like dealing with a flat tire without a spare, getting caught unprepared for an injury will make the experience more difficult than it has to be.You can’t know the details of an accident before it happens, but there are some simple steps you can take now that will make the process go more smoothly when an injury does occur:• Designate medical providers – To comply with Colorado law starting in 2015, you must designate at least four medical providers to treat your injured workers. Just as important, you need to let your employees know who those providers are, before and after an injury. Martin Insurance Group has template letters and forms that make this step easy.• Ask employees to report injuries within 24 hours – You may not always be on the jobsite, so make sure your employees and supervisors know that all injuries should be reported immediately to ensure the injured worker gets the care they need. Reporting the injury promptly will also help your employee get back to work safely and quickly, and keep claims costs in check.• Distribute important follow-up resources – Following an injury, it’s important to talk with the employee about what happened, and conduct your own analysis of what caused the accident. That way, you can determine if any preventive measures could keep the same thing from happening again. Martin Insurance Group has an Employee Accident Report and an Accident Investigation Report to mitigate the hazards. You might consider printing these forms out and have them handy on every job site.By following the steps above – and informing your supervisors and employees about your expectations – you’ll be prepared to handle a workplace injury quickly and effectively.

Effective safety training is one of the most important elements of your safety program. Conducting effective safety training means that your employees are trained to do their job in the correct way, which means the safe way.There are many benefits to providing effective safety training to your workforce. It creates a culture of safety within your organization which helps to eliminate preventable and costly accidents. When employees have the right training and equipment to do their job correctly and safely, and know that employers are concerned about their well-being, then employees are more engaged in their jobs. This results in increased productivity and better quality work.How can you ensure that your safety training is effective? Even though this may be challenging, you can make your safety training program more impactful by following a few guidelines and recommendations:1. Identify when training is the best option to eliminate or minimize the risk of injury. Sometimes other safety and prevention measures are a better choice. For example, if you can eliminate the hazard completely, or put engineering controls in place to minimize risk, that may be your best option.2. Determine which type of training is most beneficial to your employees. Choose between job-task training and safety awareness training depending on whether your employees need specific or general information. Both types of training are important in establishing a safety culture and equipping employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to work safety and efficiently.3. Prepare for training and reinforce learning by understanding employees current challenges so you can design and deliver training in a way that mitigates obstacles from the start.4. Present information in a way that your employees can relate to so they are more likely to retain it.5. Use organization-specific data that includes accident losses and trends, industry requirements and employee input to identify training content.6. Tailor content and delivery so the information is appropriate based on the audience needs.Taking the time to make sure your safety training is effective ensures that your employees have the right knowledge to do their jobs correctly, which means they are doing their jobs safely. As employees become more skilled at their jobs, injuries and claims should decrease.For more information and other effective safety training tips, Call Martin Insurance Group at 970-963-6161.

You have the power to control your workers’ compensation costs. Injury prevention is the best approach, but if a workplace accident does occur, claims management is key, starting with a return-to-work program. The return-to-work program is a proactive plan to help injured workers start working again during their recovery, either at their regular positions or in a modified duty position.Injured Worker and Employer BenefitsGetting back to work is an important part of the healing process for the injured worker. Getting back to work allows an injured worker to stay connected at work, regain financial security and feel productive again. For employers, a return-to-work program can speed your injured workers’ medical recovery, reduce claims costs and keep your workers’ compensation premiums down.Components of a Return to Work ProgramThere are four components of a return-to-work program. Your program should include a return-to-work policy, a designated coordinator and specific modified duty tasks. You should also establish a modified duty job offer process.Return-to-Work PolicyA written return-to-work policy lets your employees know what your organization will do if a work related injury occurs. Your return-to-work policy should be tailored to your organization. It should consist of the following elements:

• Clearly state the purpose of your policy
• Designate a modified duty coordinator
• Outline the responsibilities of the designated coordinator
• Identify your designated medical providers

Make sure your policy is signed by management and shared with existing and new employees. Once you implement a policy, it is important that you enforce it consistently. You should also share your policy with your designated medical providers. This informs your providers that you have a policy and preplanned tasks, and it will also help expedite the return-to-work process.Modified Duty Task ListSometimes injured workers can perform some, but not all, of their regular job tasks. This is called modified duty. Before an injury ever occurs, you should create modified duty task lists for your employees. This advance preparation will help you bring an injured worker back to work quickly. Creating the task lists should be a collaborative effort among supervisors, lead employees and management. With these ideas in mind, you can write a formal modified duty task list.The Formal Modified Duty Job Offer ProcessThere are two ways to offer modified duty work:

1.  Verbal (informal) modified duty job offer
2.  Written (formal) modified duty job offer

To follow the informal process, simply verbally inform the injured worker of the terms of the modified duty work, including the tasks, hours and rate of pay. If the injured worker accepts the offer, notify the workers compensation carrier immediately so we won’t pay lost wage benefits to the injured worker that will add to your claim costs. A formal job offer is made when the injured worker refuses to return to work following a verbal job offer.The formal modified duty offer process requires specific steps, including:

1.  Writing a letter to the injured workers’ medical provider requesting approval of the modified duty work tasks
2.  Extending a formal modified duty offer letter to your injured worker

Attempting to create a return-to-work program after an injury is both stressful and time-consuming. Let Martin Insurance Group assist you, so you’re prepared before an injury occurs. We can help you get employees back to work quickly and safely, while allowing you to manage your claims more effectively.

During the holidays, you may be vacationing, hosting gatherings at your home or receiving valuable gifts. To ensure that you remain properly protected, here are holiday-related tips to consider:Home entertainingCommon risks:• Hosting events at home increases the potential for accidents that can lead to personal liability lawsuits. Examples include guests slipping on a wet floor or icy walkway, a car accident caused by an "over-served" attendee, sickness due to spoiled food, dog bites and more. • Possessions inside the home are subject to breakage or theft as a result of increased foot traffic. In addition, fires can stem from overloaded electrical outlets, neglected candles, unsecured decorations and cooking mishaps. • When hiring outside help, such as a catering company or valet parking service, their actions or injuries sustained on the premises can link back to the homeowner. What you can do:• Consider the weather conditions and how they will impact traffic inside and outside the home. Take precautions to address wet, slippery walkways or foyers. Notify guests to take extra care around areas that are particularly crowded or that you know to be potentially unsafe. • Be mindful of holiday décor. Could items on upper levels fall? Are any areas obstructed that could pose a safety concern? • Move high-value items (particularly artwork, breakables and sculptures) away from high-traffic areas when possible. • Have contact information handy for local taxi services, in case guests cannot drive home safely. • Burn candles with care. Never leave a burning candle unattended or near combustible material. Trim the wick each time before lighting, and when extinguishing, make sure the candle is fully out. • Unplug interior decorations before going to sleep, and unplug appliances when not in use. Avoid using old plugs that don’t fit snugly into the outlet. In addition, replace devices or décor with risk of fire increases. • If an outside vendor is helping with the party, request a certificate of liability insurance and evidence of workers’ compensation insurance to be sure their insurance will respond if there is an incident. Leaving the house unoccupiedCommon risks:• Weather events increase the chances of property damage across the U.S. Freezing temperatures can lead to burst pipes, while heavy rains, wind and ice can cause power outages and flooding. • A vacant home is a target for burglars. • Announcing vacation plans via online social networks also can increase the risk of burglary. What you can do:• Occupancy is the best prevention. If you aren’t in a position to hire a caretaker, have a friend or neighbor check in periodically—with their car in the driveway. • Look to technology. Low-temperature sensors and water shut-off devices can help identify problems before they get out of control. Set lights to turn on/off during the day—not just at night. It’s also easier than ever to monitor your home remotely from your phone or tablet. • Conduct a professional security assessment to ensure that the existing alarm system provides the most optimal protection against burglary, fire and low temperatures. • Also consider behavior patterns that can elevate the risk of burglary. For example, if your family travels at the exact same time each year, it’s easier for a criminal to target the home. • Advise family members to use social media wisely. Don’t announce that the home will be vacant to a broad (and often unknown) audience. • When buying gifts or other items online, request that all deliveries arrive with signature required to avoid valuables from being left unattended on your doorstep. TravelCommon risks:• Liability laws may vary from country to country, as does the climate for litigation. • Gifts and other items purchased abroad often are lost or damaged before making it home. • Valuables are left accidentally in hotel rooms or on planes. • If a family members gets sick or injured, non-refundable plans may be canceled or cut short. If traveling to a remote destination, top-quality medical care may not be within reach. What you can do:• Consult an insurance professional prior to your trip to better understand local laws and your coverage, particularly if renting a car or recreational vehicle. When possible, choose an excess liability (umbrella) insurance policy that offers worldwide coverage. • Leave high-value jewelry at home in a safe or safety deposit box. If you must travel with jewelry, keep it with you at all times; do not place in checked luggage. • If larger or fragile items purchased on vacation cannot travel home with you (such as artwork or cases of wine), consult a specialized shipping company for assistance. Notify your insurance agent of any substantial new purchases to ensure that coverage is immediately in place. • A homeowners’ policy may not be sufficient for jewelry, art and other high-value collectibles. A separate private collections policy offers more appropriate coverage. • Obtain travel insurance, which can provide coverage for medical evacuation and trip cancellation. (www.travelguard.com) • If a family member has a preexisting medical condition, identify local emergency contacts at your destination prior to departure. The staff at Martin Insurance Group hopes you find these ideas useful and wish you and yours the very best this holiday season!

Each year there are thousands of residential fires caused by fireplaces, chimneys and chimney connectors associated with heating systems. These fires result in injuries, or even deaths, as well as millions of dollars in property damage.Colder weather means more people are cozying up in front of their fireplaces. Here are some recommendations to help ensure that your fireplaces and chimneys are being used safely:• All chimneys (fireplaces, heating systems, barbecues, etc.) should be inspected at least once a year. The inspection should be carried out by a qualified chimney sweep who will make sure they are clean, well-insulated from combustibles in the structure of the house, and that hot gases are not leaking from the chimney.• During the holidays, mantels are often used to display tree trimmings, stockings or other flammable items. Take great care when decorating around an active fireplace.• Use only good, dry wood for fuel. Avoid wood that is not fully cured. If the wood has sap, it may pop and send burning embers outside the fireplace.• Never burn paper or other household materials in the fireplace.• Check your carbon monoxide detector to ensure it is working properly.Why it matters: The inherent purpose of fireplaces and chimneys can make it easy to overlook the risk of a fire starting or being caused by these features of a home. Annual inspections, maintenance and cleaning are critical to avoid potential property loss or injury.For more information about chimney safety or to locate a reliable chimney sweep, visit the following websites:• Chimney Safety Institute of America• The National Chimney Sweep Guild• Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

Believe it or not, getting back to work is a vital part of the injured worker’s healing process. In fact, studies show that injured workers who are absent for more than six months only have a 50 percent probability of returning to work at all. Offering modified duty work, which are tasks that have been modified to take physical restrictions into consideration as a part of your return-to-work program can bring an injured worker back to work quickly and impact recovery. You, as the employer, must plan for this possibility and offer modified duty tasks that take injured employees' physical restrictions into consideration.Other benefits of offering modified duty work include:

• Aids the achievement of a common goal – optimum recovery
• The injured workers stay connected with their employers
• Allows injured workers to focus on what they are able to do rather than on what they can’t
• Injured workers can maintain a normal work routine that contributes to their financial stability and mental well-being, which is beneficial to their relationships, both at work and at home
• Provides a functional measure of the injured workers’ recovery process

Modified duty also helps facilitate a strong working relationship between the employers, injured workers and treating physicians. Here are some tips for employers to take into account when considering modified duty tasks:

• Maintain copies of preplanned task lists so they may be available to injured workers and their treating physicians.
• Prepare for a tour of your business or job site by the treating physician, who may want to see what type of work is performed.
• Be flexible. When appropriate, the treating physician may prescribe work restrictions following each visit.
• Communicate with the treating physician when questions arise to ensure a safe return-to-work.

Modified duty is a powerful tool to manage the cost of claims, help injured workers safely return to work and help facilitate a strong working relationship with treating physicians.Remember, Martin Insurance Group is here to help. You can request additional information about return-to-work resources and services including examples of modified duty tasks by calling our office 970-963-6161 .

There are many reasons Martin Insurance Group policyholders should implement Colorado’s Cost Containment Certification program. We created our unique Workers Compensation Six Point Strategy with Cost Containment certification as the centerpiece. We walk our policyholders through the Cost Containment Certification process and as a result, they often see a decrease in claims costs, a reduction in losses, and experience less severe injuries. The certification also makes policyholders eligible for a discount on their workers’ compensation premium. More importantly, certification demonstrates your organization’s commitment to protecting the safety and welfare of your employees.Colorado’s Cost Containment Certification requires that employers have a six-step formal safety program in place and document its effectiveness for one year. In addition to these steps, the following also must be kept throughout the year:

• Safety orientation documentation for all new employees
• Safety training documentation on (at least) a quarterly basis. (Martin Insurance Group recommends monthly safety awareness training to promote better safety awareness and to develop a good safety culture for your company.)
• Accident investigation reports for all incidents reported, including corrective measures to be implemented
• Documentation indicating the designated medical provider/s the company selected has been distributed to all existing and new employees
• Documentation showing efforts towards instituting modified duty that conforms to the treating physician’s restrictions
• Required documentation must be dated and signed

Keep in mind; you probably already have the majority of the components of the CCC program in place. If you have a solid safety program implemented and the program and its results have been well documented then you may have met some of the above requirements. Regardless, our staff can help with every step of the process. Just call our agency at 970-963-6161 and we will be happy to walk you from the beginning of the process to its completion.

As the holidays approach, prepare your employees for the hazards that come with the season. There are many stressors that can impact the health of your employees and your business. To help keep them safe and well, make sure that your employees, no matter what your industry, are prepared for the following:Hazard #1: IceIce can have a significant impact on your employee’s safety and on your business. Did you know that slips, trips and falls, some of the most common workers compensation claims, spike during December, January and February? Whether you and your employees work indoors or outdoors, take extra precaution to avoid falling during inclement weather. Here are some tips to help avoid injury when walking on ice and snow:• Walk slowly and deliberately• Wear boots or slip-resistant footwear• Be prepared for black ice formation after melting occurs• Exercise caution when getting in and out of vehicles• Watch for slippery floors when entering buildings• Keep hands empty and arms free to move for stabilization – use backpacks if possibleHazard #2: IllnessWith the holiday season comes cold and flu season. Here are some of the most effective ways to prevent spreading germs in the office and out:• Regular hand washing: Make sure you are washing your hands with soap for about 20 seconds and rinse with warm water. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet or open the restroom door.• Take care of yourself: Keep your immune system strong by getting plenty of sleep, eating leafy greens, staying hydrated, being active and practicing stress management. Get regular exercise by hitting the gym or taking a walk on your break.• Stay home: When at all possible, keep your germs at home. Work remotely when you are able and consider calling in when you have meetings.• Keep your workspace clean: Make sanitizing products available so you and your employees can keep workstations and work tools clean.Hazard #3: StressBetween long work hours and the hustle and bustle, it seems like the holiday season and stress go hand in hand. Stress can be toxic, impacting work productivity, attendance and physical health. Help your employees beat workplace stress this winter by bringing in a massage therapist who offers chair massage or by encouraging them to get moving and burn some calories. Talk to your employees about their stress levels and work together to figure out how to reduce them.

Is an HSA right for me?If you are not reaping the benefits of a Health Savings Account you probably should take a moment to look over some of the things an HSA plan could do for you.HSA’s work alongside a high deductible health insurance plan either through an employer sponsored health plan or an individual plan of your own. In 2014 your health insurance plan must have a deductible of at least $1,250.00 for an individual and at least $2,500.00 for a family.Once you have a “high deductible” health insurance plan in place you then can then open an HSA plan through any local banking institution of your choice.You then put money into your HSA account. This money can now be used tax free to pay for your medical deductibles, prescriptions, co-pays and other medical expenses. This year in 2014 you can contribute up to $3,300.00 per year as an individual and up to $6,550.00 per year as a family. Note that you do not have to put that much money into your HSA account but you can put up to that amount and have it sheltered.The amount you contribute to your HSA account t is deducted from your income as “adjusted Gross Income” on your taxes and therefore is not taxed.You can use HSA’s for almost anything related to your health, minus your health insurance premiums.Some examples of things you can pay for with your HSA account include:

• Acupuncture
• Dental treatment (x-rays, fillings, extractions, dentures, braces, etc.)
• Eye glasses
• Hearing aids
• Over the counter medications
• Insulin
• Nursing services
• Chiropractic services
• Birth control pills
• Babysitting and childcare
• Health club dues

For a list of more HSA qualified items visit https://www.premera.com/documents/022856.pdfAlso, health insurance premiums are not considered a qualified medical expense although there are some types of insurance premiums that DO qualify in certain situations and those include:

• Continuation coverage of COBRA benefits
• Some long term care insurance contracts
• Any health insurance plan maintained while an individual is receiving unemployment benefits
• If you are over the age of 65 you can use HSA money to pay for Medicare Part D premiums but NOT Medicare supplement premiums.

Another great benefit of an HSA account is that it can help become an investment account for your future. Any unused funds that you wish to roll over into a retirement account can be done without penalty. It can then be used for normal living expenses and not medical expenses.If you have any questions about how high deductible health insurance plans work, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

With all the changes in health care recently there is a huge questions many Americans have on their minds….do I even need health insurance and why am I being forced to purchase it?Even now that Health Care Reform is here there are so many other reasons to consider all of the major benefits of health insurance and to look at some of the ways you could be left exposed if you don’t have a major medical health insurance policy in place.Nobody plans to get hurt or ill and regardless of our good intentions and efforts to stay healthy and safe we will all most likely need health insurance at some point in our lives. Health insurance guarantees you will not be left alone to pay the high and constantly rising cost of medical bills.Health insurance protects you and your family!People typically greatly underestimate the cost of charges for an ER visit or how much it can cost to fix a broken bone let alone a hospital stay. As of June 2014 the average cost for a 3-day hospital stay is $30,000, a trip to the ER for even a minor injury can cost upwards of $5,000 and it could cost you close to $7,500 to fix that broken bone (including physical therapy). These are costs that can really hurt an individual or family financially.If you have a major medical health insurance policy, it will help share these costs with you or cover them all.Another way insurance could protect you is the free preventative medical services offered on the marketplace today. The theory being that preventative medical care prevents emergency medical care and the high cost of emergencies. If you can prevent an illness, the likeness of you needing to use your medical insurance is greatly reduced.How it works….You pay a monthly premium for the coverage, you pay that every month regardless of if you use the policy or that month not. As long as you pay the premiums the coverage stays in place for when you do need it, just like Auto Insurance.In the event you do need to use your health insurance for any reason you would pay a deductible. A deductible is the set amount that you are responsible for prior to your health insurance carrier paying for your medical expenses. Once you have paid your deductible your insurance company pays the remainder of your medical expenses. Most insurance companies also offer you free preventative services prior to your deductibles being met.The co-payment, as I’ve mentioned in another blog, is a set amount you’ll pay for a service or a doctor’s office visit whenever you need one.Co-insurance is close to a co-payment but it is based on a percentage of costs you pay such as a $20.00 out of a $100.00 medical fee. Your insurance company would pay the rest.The bottom line…..The bottom line is the bottom line which is called the Out-of-pocket maximum. This is the total amount you will ever have to pay in case you ever get sick or injured. Look at this as the maximum exposure and damage to you financially. Let’s say you have an out-of-pocket maximum of $3,500, once you pay that in a combination of copayments, deductibles and coinsurance amounts, your major medical plan will pay %100 for any other expenses incurred for the rest of the calendar year.People with no insurance need to consider being exposed to the high cost of health care. Medical bills are the number one cause of debt and can even lead to a bankruptcy.Please visit this link to learn more about how health insurance works http://youtu.be/A4-pklsDT_QAs always, health insurance can be confusing, always ask your insurance agent about how your health insurance policy works.