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Home » Archives for April 2021

Archives for April 2021

2021 NCCI Annual Issues Symposium – Free Good Info – May 11 and 12

April 15, 2021 By JL Risk Management Consultants Leave a Comment

2021 NCCI Annual Issues Symposium – One to Calendar 

The 2021 NCCI Annual Issues Symposium is definitely one to check out on May 11-12, 2021.   The in-person symposiums used to be very expensive – now free – all you have to do is sign up at the link below.  

2021 NCCI Annual Issues Symposium

(c) NCCI Boca Raton FL

I registered for the 2020 symposium and watched it from front to back.  Most of the conference was worth it.   See my below recommendations for the “do-not-miss” sessions. 

As pointed out in my previous article, quite a large amount of data is still premature when analyzing how the pandemic affected workers comp.  Regardless, this will be the best online conference on Workers Comp so far this year, and possibly for the whole year.  

A partial press release is below with my comments: 

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) announced today that it has opened registration for its Annual Issues Symposium (AIS) 2021—Stronger Together, to be held May 11–12, 2021. Offered virtually to the workers compensation industry and beyond, the event will be open to everyone and offered at no charge. Registration details can be found at ncci.com/AIS.

2021 NCCI Annual Issues Symposium – two data heavyweights 

All the presenters will have golden nuggets of information.  I have attended numerous video and in-person conferences with Dr. Hartwig presenting data.  His CPCU and Ph.D. combo make for at least a few nuggets of info that will astound you.  I have referenced his articles over the last 15 years starting with his Insurance Information Institute presentations and articles. 

1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. The Economics of Work Comp and the COVID Effect
Robert P. Hartwig, PhD, CPCU
Clinical Associate Professor of Finance, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina

Bob Hartwig discusses the effect of the pandemic, ensuing recession, the economic stimulus efforts, and the ongoing recovery on our workers compensation system. Submit your questions during Bob’s live presentation and he will answer the top three before the end of his session. – great chance for data insights.  

Barry’s booming voice was always part of the WCRI in-person conferences when he asked questions. You will learn a lot of info in 15 minutes.  I wish he had been given longer for his presentation. 

2:00 p.m.–2:15 p.m. Latest Trends in Time to Treatment
Barry Lipton, FCAS, MAAA
Practice Leader and Senior Actuary, NCCI

Join Barry Lipton as he examines the effects of the pandemic on the delivery of medical services to injured workers and their potential impact on claim costs.

Make sure to register for the 2021 NCCI Annual Issues Symposium. 

Filed Under: NCCI Conferences

How Workers Comp Claims Pandemic Data Is Only 25% Correct

April 15, 2021 By JL Risk Management Consultants Leave a Comment

Workers Comp Claims Pandemic Data – Running With 1/4 In The Tank

I recently brought this up in a Zoom(r) meeting.  A potential client wanted me to assist in building a Workers Comp claims pandemic model. 

marine with fuel tank workers comp pandemic claims

Public Domain – US Marine Corp

They were aghast when I said that only approximately 1/4 of the data is in right now on the pandemic if rating bureau data is used for the model.   

Simple Workers Comp Claims Pandemic Data Chart 

Policy BeginsPolicy EndsPandemic Fraction    Date Reported To Bureau
05/01/201905/01/20201/1211/01/2020
06/01/201906/01/20202/1212/01/2020
07/01/201907/01/20203/1201/01/2021
08/01/201908/01/20204/1202/01/2021
09/01/201909/01/20205/1203/01/2021
10/01/201910/01/20206/1204/01/2021

The date the data is reported to the bureau is called the UNIT STAT date.

Three questions came up in the meeting. 

  • Why did I not include the 4/1/19 to 4/1/2020 policy? 
  • Why is it 25% when your fraction shows 50%?
  • Why are you using 2019 policies? 

My corresponding answers were:

  • I considered the start of the pandemic 04/01/2020. The Workers Comp claims pandemic data should start there.  The policies that covered 04/01/2019 – 04/01/2020 would not cover any pandemic dates.  I could have used 04/02/2019 or 04/03/2019, etc.  but the chart would have been massive.
  • The chart could have been continued through today, but the numbers reported to the rating bureau (right column) have not been reported after 04/01/2021.   The policies after 10/20/2020 would have to be included up until today to complete a year of the pandemic (as requested).  So only 50% of 6/12 would be considered as workers comp pandemic data info.   
  • These policies partially covered the pandemic months.  As of now, the rating bureaus have received policy data through 10/15/2020 – at the height of the pandemic.  

Chart Updates Will Be Needed – End Of Pandemic? 

I did not want to go beyond the recent UNISTAT reporting date of 04/01/2021 – the right column.   I am not sure of the exact date that the pandemic will end.  Some scientists say that we are in an endemic now, not a pandemic in the US.  

One concept to remember is not all claims were COVID-19 claims.   I was pointing to the effect on the workers comp pandemic data.  

Filed Under: unit stat date

AIC Designation Changes – One Major Modification To Study Guides

April 8, 2021 By JL Risk Management Consultants Leave a Comment

AIC Designation Changes – ARM Also Affected – Important

One of the most detrimental AIC designation changes was pointed out to me over the last two weeks.  I received numerous calls and emails that the Jack Keir for Success program had dropped any insurance designations.

road sign AIC designation changes one way

Wikimedia Commons – Frye1989

The AIC (Associate in Claims) designation is specifically designed for claims adjusters and other insurance personnel to advance their careers quickly.  

I checked out the website.   The calls and emails were correct.   I was going to change all the articles that I had previously written about the AIC program.  The links in that article will pull up a blank page.   

I called the Keir Company to see if that development was true.   The representative said they no longer offered those manuals including no CPCU guides.   No insurance designation guidebooks are located on the website.   Ouch!

The guidebooks were critical in my completion of the AIC and ARM designations.  One of the more frustrating parts of completing the coursework was there were no answers to the questions in the study material provided by the Institutes.  

AIC Designation Changes – Institutes Did Not Change Anything

The Institutes provide the AIC designation.   It did not change anything with the program.  Only the Keir guidebooks changed – Keir is not associated with The Institutes.  You can find out more about the AIC here.   

The AIC has changed from when I attained the AIC.  

The AIC courses available are:

The first step towards earning your AIC designation is to complete and pass the exam for these two core courses. 

  • AIC 30: Claims Principles and Practices
  • AINS 21: Property and Liability Insurance Principles

Identify a specific track in which you want to build your expertise, and complete those required courses within that concentration.

Auto 

  • AIC 39: Auto Claims Practices
  • AIC 48: Bodily Injury Claims and Auto Coverages

Liability  

  • AIC 32: Liability Claims Practices
  • AIC 49: Bodily Injury Claims and Liability Coverages

Property  

  • AIC 31: Property Claims Practices
  • AIC 41: Property Coverages

Workers Compensation 

  • AIC 37: Managing Bodily Injury Claims
  • AIC 44: Workers Compensation Claim Practices

Complete the following course offered at no cost, to acquire the decision-making tools to maintain ethical standards and preserve the public’s trust.

  • Ethics 311: Ethical Decision Making in Risk and Insurance

I helped one caller find other Insurance Guidebooks by using this Google Search

I cannot vouch for any of the AIC or ARM guidebooks.   I have not used or reviewed them.  I will update this article or provide another article if there are any further AIC designation changes – especially to the study guides. 

Filed Under: Insurance Related Designations

My Three Favorite Articles That Hooked My Attention – Must Read

April 8, 2021 By Erica Libo Leave a Comment

All About My Three Favorite Articles

In reading articles, I may say that all of them hooked my attention. But actually, I have my three favorite articles that I can say are worth it to read. Or when time goes by, it may bring the lesson we’ve learned from those articles in our future life. I’ll be mentioning 3 out of many articles that I love to read and I love to share.

Picture of Three Favorite Articles Open Books

Wikimedia Commons – Latemplanza

The first article that I’ll be mentioning was “My COVID-19 Vaccination – Among The Everyday Heroes”.  We all know that this covid-19 pandemic brings us to what and where we are now.

Even though we are not public servants, this article shows all the love that each public servant deserves.  They deserve to be known, to be praised for their hardships and sacrifices they are doing, they deserve to be acknowledged by the people all over the world because each of them offers their life and risk it for the sake of the people, patients, and for the world.

This article also shows how does vaccination going. What are the things that a person might encounter during their vaccination day? And it’ll not be successful if we don’t have those servants who organize and manage everything for the safety and order of the people.

          The second article was all about the “Volunteer Workers Comp Benefits Can Be Elusive at Best”. When we say volunteers, the first thing that comes to our mind was they worked because they want to do the job. They are making things without expecting anything back.

Right? But, do volunteers deserve to at least receive benefits from their employers when an unexpected incident occurs? This article shows that some of the employers answer no, luckily few say yes.

Not particularly the salary for their job but the benefits or payment for the injury they may encounter. This article shows that every volunteer should receive at least the benefit for their health. Each employee or volunteer must know and read this one because it’ll help them.  And to the employers, always make sure if the volunteers you have are all payable.

Student Reading Three Favorite Articles on laptop

Wikimedia Commons – Courtcourtwest

Third and last but not the least was all about “Workers Comp Website – 10 Things to Know When Switching Providers” This article would teach us what should we know in terms of switching providers.  It gave some tips that we needed to know and needed to be aware of. 

The article will give a lot of knowledge as well as helped to understand more about switching providers that we may need at some point in doing our related job. It may be different from the first two articles I’ve been reading but I know this would help too.

 The articles mentioned above will worth reading. All of the articles are helpful not just to the employers but to the employees and even the volunteers will be benefits here as well. In connection with the three articles,

I may say that these are all accurate to what workers’ must know and for them to be aware of. It is all related to each individual worker that ever exists.  Always think that every hardship is worth it.  Don’t expect anything because if your hard work’s intention is clean even though you are not expecting it’ll all come back to you twice as you did. 

Learn from the experts, know your rights, and be the better version of employees and employers you are in every day.  Nothing is more than your skills, just believe that you are in that position because it fits your skills and because that position might help you to improve and be the better among others. 

This is only my idea about what I read in my three favorite articles that I mentioned above. You can read more articles and I’m pretty sure you will like them and it will help you a lot. 

Filed Under: Blog

Coronavirus Vaccine Journey – Second Act – Over in 30 Minutes

April 7, 2021 By JL Risk Management Consultants Leave a Comment

Act II of my Coronavirus Vaccine Journey – Quick and No Problems 

My coronavirus vaccine journey started on St. Patrick’s Day.  Check out that article here.  The booster shot occurred yesterday.  Obtaining the second vaccine was much easier.   The first vaccine took two hours to complete. This one took 25 minutes. 

Why did I devote two articles to my coronavirus vaccine journey?  Quite a few people that I know were very hesitant to obtain a new vaccine.  I cannot blame them, but nothing happened to me and I have comorbidities – two artificial heart valves.  

Yes, I did have a reaction of arm soreness, a slight headache, and a low-grade fever.   Those symptoms have all disappeared today.  (Whew!) – According to John Hopkins University, these are expected reactions:

What side effects should I expect from COVID-19 vaccines?

Side effects may vary with the type of COVID-19 vaccine. We know the most about side effects following vaccination with the Pfizer and Moderna messenger RNA—or mRNA—vaccines.

The most common side effect is soreness at the site of injection. Other side effects include fatigue, headache, muscle aches, chills, joint pain, and possibly some fever.

How long do side effects last?

Usually 24 to 48 hours, and no more than a few days.

Coronavirus Vaccine Journey Pics

I had to return to the same facility – the North Triangle Executive Airport.   The pics were not as good as the last time as there was no line.  Taking pics in a moving car can be challenging.   Each pic or group of pics will have a description below it.  

I was expecting a longer line than this short one.  Last time, I was 2/3 of a mile behind me when I pulled up.  Nice!

My ID and CDC card were checked very quickly.   See the rearview mirror for the policeman that was checking everyone in.  I was running 45 minutes early as I had expected a long line. 

The Airport was set up for a huge operation.  I lucked out on the timing.   I spent 45 minutes last time getting to this part of the line.  

The vaccination nurses are just ahead.  I did not have time to roll down my shirt sleeve and take a picture as the line was moving very rapidly.  

I had to wait at the exit for 15 minutes to see if I was going to have any type of reaction.   I was given a Pfizer 2nd dose-reaction sheet to take with me.   

I am finished and leaving.  My rehabilitation routine was to stop by El Perico Restaurant nearby (best salsa on earth) as I did the last time.   Their Speedy Gonzalez lunch in the pic above comes out in 3 minutes.   Soon,  we all can visit our favorite restaurants without worrying about another Coronavirus vaccine journey like mine today.  

Thanks to all the National Guard, Franklin County North Carolina, Franklin County Police, and the NCDHHS for providing me with my vaccine.  Kudos to all the everyday heroes.  

Update – As of April 16th, anyone can obtain a vaccine.  Check with your physician’s office before obtaining the Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J Vaccine.  None of this or the prior article is to be taken as medical advice.    

All photos are the author’s work.

Filed Under: James J Moore

How Workers Comp Weekly Rate Is Calculated – Temporary Total Disability

April 1, 2021 By Erica Libo

Workers Comp Weekly Rate for TTD – The Basics 

Workers Comp weekly rates for TTD in all states are calculated differently. Workers are all deserving of the benefits beyond their efforts to work on time.

They need financial help from their employers while they are suffering from injuries that they may have during their working period. TTD or Temporary Total Disability is a disability wherein a worker who is injured or got ill can’t perform or unable to do any job temporarily.

Signage of Disability Workers Comp Weekly Rate outside the house

Public Domain – MarkBuckawicki

TTD usually involves a waiting period. This has two categories: these are (1) TTD and (2) TD. Both of those explain if an employee is injured or ill for let’s say a week or longer than that they will be receiving payments.

You’ll be receiving TTD if you can’t work during your recovery stage. The amount of payment that an employee will be going to receive depends on their wage rate.

The payment that they might receive will be tax-free. For instance, if an employee earns $ 8 per hour and works 5 hours per week for an employer their Average Weekly Wage equals $40.00 per week. 

In most states, the Workers Compensation weekly benefit is 2/3 of the Average Weekly Wage.  Two-thirds of $40 equals $26.67 which is the workers’ comp benefits rate. In most states, the minimum compensation is $30, so the employee would receive $30 per week. This is just an example. Because not all the states have the same wage rate and policy about the TTD.

You’ll get your TTD according to the state where you are working. Each state has its special form. Most wage statements cover a period of 13, 26, or 52 weeks before the employee’s date of injury. North Carolina always seems to calculate a different wage than what the adjuster has deciphered as the Workers Compensation TTD rate. Employees can’t receive more than the maximum weekly amount.

While an injured employee was declared as TTD, FMLA notice should follow the same time of employee’s leave. If an injured employee is not formally notified while they are in TTD, there is what you called FMLA or Family Medical Leave Act that is not going to expire automatically.

Man is sick Worker Comp Weekly Rate laying at bed with meds on table

Wikimedia Commons – DaveDeploige

Employers are the one who is responsible for sending that. Because if not, there may be the instance that employee will be entitled to 12 more weeks on leave even though their TTD ends already and they are being offered for the return to work.

Workers’ employees will not be paid after 7 to 21 days of being injured, but if it is extended by 22 days they will surely receiving payments. There is one from the previous articles that talks about TTD and PTD being a lifetime benefit.

Because there are some chances that unexpected things that might happen. Rates are always depending on the state where you are located. As an employer, you should always prioritize health more than anything. After that, make sure that you have been expecting something from the company if any incident might come on an unexpected day.

Always remember that even though there are such things as TTD, employees should take good care of themselves to not get sick or injured.

Filed Under: Temporary Total Tagged With: Average Weekly Wage, FMLA, PTD, TTD rate

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James J Moore
Raleigh, NC, United States

James founded a Workers’ Compensation consulting firm, J&L Risk Mgmt Consultants, Inc. in 1996. J&L’s mission is to reduce our clients’ Workers Compensation premiums by using time-tested techniques. J&L’s claims, premium, reserve and Experience Mod reviews have saved employers over $9.8 million in earned premiums over the last three years. J&L has saved numerous companies from bankruptcy proceedings as a result of insurance overpayments.

James has over 27 years of experience in insurance claims, audit, and underwriting, specializing in Workers’ Compensation. He has supervised, and managed the administration of Workers’ Compensation claims, and underwriting in over 45 states. His professional experience includes being the Director of Risk Management for the North Carolina School Boards Association. He created a very successful Workers’ Compensation Injury Rehabilitation Unit for school personnel.

James’s educational background, which centered on computer technology, culminated in earning a Masters of Business Administration (MBA); an Associate in Claims designation (AIC); and an Associate in Risk Management designation (ARM). He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and a licensed financial advisor. The NC Department of Insurance has certified him as an insurance instructor. He also possesses a Bachelors’ Degree in Actuarial Science.

LexisNexis has twice recognized his blog as one of the Top 25 Blogs on Workers’ Compensation. J&L has been listed in AM Best’s Preferred Providers Directory for Insurance Experts – Workers Compensation for over eight years. He recently won the prestigious Baucom Shine Lifetime Achievement Award for his volunteer contributions to the area of risk management and safety. James was recently named as an instructor for the prestigious Insurance Academy.

James is on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the North Carolina Mid-State Safety Council. He has published two manuals on Workers’ Compensation and three different claims processing manuals. He has also written and has been quoted in numerous articles on reducing Workers’ Compensation costs for public and private employers. James publishes a weekly newsletter with 7,000 readers.

He currently possess press credentials and am invited to various national Workers Compensation conferences as a reporter.

James’s articles or interviews on Workers’ Compensation have appeared in the following publications or websites:
• Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS)
• Entrepreneur Magazine
• Bloomberg Business News
• WorkCompCentral.com
• Claims Magazine
• Risk & Insurance Magazine
• Insurance Journal
• Workers Compensation.com
• LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites
• Various trade publications

 

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Recent Posts

  • 2021 NCCI Annual Issues Symposium – Free Good Info – May 11 and 12
  • How Workers Comp Claims Pandemic Data Is Only 25% Correct
  • AIC Designation Changes – One Major Modification To Study Guides
  • My Three Favorite Articles That Hooked My Attention – Must Read
  • Coronavirus Vaccine Journey – Second Act – Over in 30 Minutes
  • How Workers Comp Weekly Rate Is Calculated – Temporary Total Disability
  • How Microcaptive 831(b) Arrangements Were Disrupted This Month
  • My COVID-19 Vaccination – Among The Everyday Heroes
  • WCRI 2021 State of the States Presentation – The Past Rules
  • Back To Work During A Pandemic For The Employee – Another Look
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