Workers' compensation presentation | KenoWi

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At Monday nights? Finance Committee meeting, a presentation was made on the city?s workers? compensation package.? Steve Stanczak, the city of Kenosha?s human resources director, indicated that, at the meeting which was held on March 19, a proposed resolution by the mayor was approved to re-authorize the city to self-insure its workers? compensation program.? Chairman David Bogdala had stated at that meeting that it might be beneficial to have Stanczak and the reps from the city?s workers? compensation insurance program at a future meeting to discuss this more in depth.? (Click here to read about that meeting: ?Finance Committee Approved Issuance and Sale of Bonds.)

Three representatives from the Cities and Villages Mutual Insurance Company (CVMIC) were present at the meeting:? Mike DeMoss, the executive director, Greg Gilsinger, the workers? compensation claims manager, and Ken Horner, the director of operations.? A handout was distributed to the committee members.

DeMoss stated that they began administering Kenosha?s workers? compensation program in 2004.? The cost comparison is between a fully funded program and a self-insured program.? The first dollar program is an expensive model.? Using Kenosha?s statistics, which were updated as of March 30, the Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau projected the cost for 2012 would be a little less than $1.7 million.? The costs are lower for a self-insured program, $1.1 million or less.? The savings differential has been about $300,000 annually, yielding a total savings of $2.2 or $2.3 million since 2004.? ?It makes sense to be self-insured for a large corporation,? he stated.

Alderperson Daniel Prozanski asked what special loss mitigation programs have been instituted in Kenosha.? Horner talked about the on-site training, and the regional training in the office, involving a cross-section of employees.? The average is 10 to 12 days; 16 days were held here in Kenosha last year.? Prozanski wanted to know what employee group had the most losses, and the answer Gilsinger gave was the police department.? ?How can we reduce the police department?s claims?? asked Prozanski. Horner replied with the return-to-work challenge.? ?There are not a lot of restricted duty assignments.? It?s been shown that bringing the employee back to even 100% office work gives them the motivation to get better faster.?

Prozanski asked about a robust return-to-work program.? ?What are we doing to prevent injuries??? DeMoss replied that they do walk-through?s, inspections, ergonomic assessments, and return-to-work programs.? ?We need to be diligent.? Kenosha has had two large losses (greater than $400,000).?? They?ve had nine in total which they consider to be large losses.? In 1998, they had 22,000 claims.? DeMoss continued, ?Training, especially for supervisors, has been shown to have the greatest impact long-term.? We teach the supervisors to ask the right questions.? We have supervisor training at the pre-supervisory level.? It?s a 16-day program broken up in two-day segments.? We also have leadership training, and a risk management academy, which is six days.? Stanczak added that on the preventative side, they are piloting a physical therapy program, which teaches stretching and proper lifting techniques.

Horner stated that they?ve been able to save 18% of medical costs.? In 2011, it was almost 20%.? The state average is 12%.? Also, going to a paperless system will net them 2 to 3% in savings by making them more efficient.? Prozanski asked about the initial contact from the insurance company to the claimant.? The less time, the better.? They look at best practices.? They report the claims in a timely manner, and they have 24-hour contacts.? Nurse case management is also used.? They work closely with the Human Resources Department.? Prozanski wanted to know about the two of nine big claims.? ?Were any of them under surveillance??? Yes, on both.

Prozanski asked about whether or not they have explored rewarding employee groups for staying safe.? ?The public sector is not to that point yet,? replied DeMoss.? ?Most government bodies are not willing to do this.? It can be fairly effective, though.? Just being recognized is very motivating,? he continued.? Prozanski agreed that it was very effective, and he urged them to start exploring the idea.? ?It would lead to savings and rewarding employees, and show the employees that we appreciate them.?? Horner stated that, ?95% of employees do the right thing.? That has an impact.? A little ?attaboy? is always nice.? Just recognizing their discomfort tells them that you care about them.?

Bogdala suggested that they start looking at this type of a program between now and the time that the 2013 budget preparation time rolls around.? ?If we had to put something aside for this kind of a program, we should start planning now,? stated Bogdala.? DeMoss replied that they would work with their loss control staff and with Stanczak, and then bring the information back to the committee.

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