Top Qualities of a Workers Comp Manager or Injury Coordinator

The role  of Injury Coordinator (IC)(a.k.a. Return-to-Work Coordinator)  is pivotal to a well-managed workers’ compensation program.  It is crucial the injury coordinator’s job functions are well understood by everyone on the work comp implementation team and by top management.

The Injury Coordinator is responsible for and manages 6 areas:

1.  Implements and maintains high quality policies and procedures to be followed by the company, TPA, broker, and other vendors to effectively manage all injury costs.
2.  Manages TPA relationship and ensure effective TPA service delivery in all states including monopolistic states.
3.  Ensures accuracy and adequacy of all case reserves.
4.  Works closely with legal department, directly monitoring litigated claims.
5.  Schedules and conducts regular audits of TPA performance of workers’ compensation.
6.  Provides CFO, Risk Manager, and Division Management with appropriate management information, including analysis of significant trends or problem areas.

The Ideal Candidate Has These 7 Qualities:

1.  A minimum of 5 years workers’ compensation claims experience, gained within a corporate risk management department, an insurance carrier, or TPA.
2.  Excellent working knowledge of RMIS systems.
3.  Well developed report writing and presentation skills.
4.  Excellent written and oral communication skills. (workersxzcompxzkit)
5.  Excellent computer skills including Access, Excel, Word.
6.  Ability to interface at all levels within a large, multi-state corporation and with external professional advisors.
7.  Professional designations such as AIC, ARM, CPCU

Select a strong leader  with sufficient time to dedicate to the project - 90% -  as a first step toward the goal of work comp cost containment. The claims management component of your new program provides an organized and pre-planned process monitoring injured employees from the time they are injured until they return to work at full duty capacity. (workersxzcompxzkit)

Effective management  of workers’ comp claims changes the dynamic of how many companies handle claims.  In the past, employees were on their own and easily became confused by medical, legal, personal, and other influences.  It’s tough being injured and out of work without the additional worries about money and one’s job.  Employers must support injured workers as they recover and help them return to full duty. 

While cost reduction IS important and requires close monitoring, caring for injured employees is equally important.

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.

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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.

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