R&R Insurance Blog

What we know for a fact: healthier employees recover more quickly from a work-related injury, and are actually less likely to even be injured. If Healthier Employees = Less Work Comp Injuries and Less Work Comp Claims, then another way of reducing work comp costs is to improve the health of your employees.

How does that culture shift play into the fact that the workforce is aging? How can an employer adjust roles and responsibilities of older workers to continue to make headway on reducing workers compensation costs?

The Aging Workforce Seminar, scheduled for May 23, 2013, held at the MRA Conference Center in Waukesha, WI, will address wellness, workers compensation and the aging workforce. How can employers finesse all three to improve efficiencies and increase profits?

Dr. Andrew Seter with Sensia Wellness will discuss a physician’s perspective on what he looks for in medical evaluations and how he advises employers with return-to-work programs. Proven Cost/Process/Behavior models will be discussed in this two hour seminar.

More seminar details and registration information.

Related Articles:

Preventing Injuries for an Aging Workforce

Obese Workers More Likely to Report Injury

Health-Related Productivity Costs

Employers Growing Role in Chronic Condition Management

Most employers - and you may be one of them - don't completely understand Employee Retirement Income Securtity Act (ERISA), how it impacts business and employees, and the possible risks it presents. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. If you have over 100 enrolled participants in any benefit, have you ever filed a Form 5500 with applicable schedules?
   ERISA imposes an $1100 day penalty for each day this filing is late up to amximum penalty for large employer (over 100) of $30,000 annually.
2. If yes, have you ever completed and distributed a SAR (Summary Annual Report)?
3. Have you ever been subject to a DOL audit?
   Audits can be triggered through a DOL investigation reproted through other agencies (IRS), through review of form 5500 filings and most often through Employee reporting or lawsuits.
4. Do you have other ERISA plans such as a 125 plan with FSAs (flexible spending accounts) or HRAs (helaht reimbursement accounts)?
   Health FSAs and HRAs are also ERISA plans and must meet the same documentation and filing requirements.

Did you answer No to questions 1 or 2? Did you answer yes to questions 3 or 4? If so, you may be in violation of Title I of ERISA that governs health and Welfare Benefit plans.

If you have any questions regarding your ERISA compliance, obligations or anything regarding your health insurance or benefits packages; R&R knowledge broker Jane Shevey can help!

After turbulent winter weather and heavy rainstorms in spring, roofs take a beating from the elements. And wherever you find damage, unfortunately you also find scams.

In the Milwaukee area, storm chasers have been known to blanket an area hit by hail or wind damage and look for unsuspecting homeowners. They’ll pass out leaflets, show up unannounced, and offer a free inspection. The scammers know the claims process with insurance companies, and based on the square footage of the roof, they can figure out how much it will cost to put on a cheap new roof. The catch is that the storm chaser does the bare minimum to replace the roof and usually pushes the homeowner to move forward with the repairs before the insurance company has a chance to inspect the damage.

The homeowner is then left with a poorly constructed roof and a claim that potentially could be denied by the insurance company because the roofers often cause the damage.

Lessons to learn:

• Insurance companies should inspect damage BEFORE work begins
• Research the roofing company
• Ask for qualifications - they should be an accredited company
• Shop around for at least 3 quotes to ensure you are getting the best price and service
• Do NOT provide money upfront - they may say it is needed to purchase supplies but it is all part of the scam

Wisconsin residents looking for help contacting your insurance company, please contact a knowledgebroker before beginning any repairs.

Experts predict that by the year 2020, 25% of the US workforce will be 55 years or older. Couple this statistic with the fact that most people are working past the traditional retirement age of 65 and organizations need to pay special attention to this sector of the workforce.

On average, older workers are injured less frequently than younger workers. However when older workers are injured, it will be more severe and have a longer recovery time. Physical reasons why aging employees are at higher risk of injury:

• Muscle strength: we lose about 4% of muscle strength each decade after age 25-30 - thus making older bodies more prone to slips and falls
• Hearing and vision loss: as we age, hearing and vision diminish making aging employees less aware of their surroundings and more apt to injury

How do organizations help prevent injuries for their aging workforce?

1. Wellness programs to aid injury prevention: help prevent strains, sprains, and falls by improving flexibility, strength, and balance. Great examples is starting a flex and stretch program, cover part of a gym membership, or hold exercise classes like yoga, Pilates, or Tai Chi.
2. Slip-and-fall injury prevention: ensure a safe working environment by maintaining parking lots and sidewalks; encourage employees to wear appropriate footwear for wet or slippery conditions; use handrails
3. Ensure employees can meet the physical requirements of the job: consider a post-offer, pre-employment physical for new employees - be sure the physician covers medical history as it may reveal something not seen during the physical (the cost of the test would pay for itself when preventing a back or shoulder claim!)
4. Ergonomics enhancement: ask employees for suggestions on how their job can be tweaked to avoid fatigue or soreness; consider job rotation for repetitive tasks (also promotes cross-training!)

Older workers are knowledgeable, experienced, and provide an abundance of value to any company. Keeping them happy and healthy will positively affect the entire organization. For more information on how healthy employees can affect your bottom line, ask Bill Katzfey about WellCompForLife.

We've been waiting patiently and we're hoping that spring will be here to stay! Before you roll down the windows and soak up the sunshine, here are some spring cleaning tips to make sure your car is ready to hit the road.

Beat the Frost: Run the air-conditioning while defrosting the windshield. AC air is dry, so it will take the moisture out of the air by dehumidifying as it cools.

Handle the Pressure: Less air means more contact and friction between the tire and road, which wears the rubber faster, makes the engine work harder, and uses more gas - so make sure you're tires are filled to the recommended amount.

Correct the Corrosion: If your battery terminals are corroded, crack open a can of cola and pour it directly onto the battery terminals. The acid in the cola will bubble away the corrosion, improving both your connection and the odds of a successful jump-start. Once you're home remove the cola residue.

Wash in the Shade: Never wash or wax a car in direct sunlight, or if the paint is hot to the touch. Bright sun can soften the paint and make it more susceptible to scratching.

Replace Wipers: After a harsh winter, many vehicles require new windshield wipers. Having wipers in good working order is necessary, especially during intense spring showers.

Contact us more information on how R&R Insurance can help protect your vehicle.

It starts off just like any other telemarketer phone call: "We are sending out new Medicare cards and have just a couple simple questions for you. Can you confirm you name, address, and phone number."

You easily reply "yes, that is correct."

The telemarketer starts listing off numbers and asks "please confirm that is your bank routing number."

RED FLAG!

Health insurance scams are increasing every day across the country. Many are preying on the mass confusion over the health care system. And unfortunately Senior Citizens are often the targets: they are home more often to answer the phone and generally have larger retirement savings for scammers access.

Due to the confusion with healthcare, other scams include offering fake health coverage, bare-bones policies being sold as full coverage, and fake Obamacare coverage.

Tips to help avoid falling victim to a scam:

• Don't answer the phone too quickly - check caller ID if possible
• Think about the question they are asking
• Think before you answer the question
• NEVER give out personal or financial information over the phone
• Just hang up the phone

Wisconsin residents with questions on how health care reform will affect you, please contact knowledgebroker Pete Frittitta.

Spring will be here before we know it! Better Homes and Gardens gave us some great ideas on how to spruce up your patio area so it's the perfect retreat or place to entertain! These ideas are easy and fairly inexpensive!

Water element: There's something about water that's serene and peaceful. Be sure to add it to your patio. Enhance those relaxing moments with a patio-size water garden.

Don't forget the power of fragrance: When you're relaxing on the patio at the end of the day, enjoy a rich aroma or subtle perfume.

Patios often look like they've just been plopped in your yard: To avoid a jarring feel, plant a border of flowering annuals, perennials, and shrubs around the edge.

Throw down a rug: There are more and more high-quality, weather-resistant rugs for use outdoors. They come in a variety of colors and styles, so you can find one to suit your tastes.

Light it up: Give your patio personality at night. Whether to illuminate a dark space or add ambiance to your favorite seating area, outdoor lighting can be just the touch of nighttime pizzazz your patio needs.

With all of the fun, new outdoor living accessories, be sure to have everything properly insured. Wisconsin residents, contact Kori Cumley to review your current policy or for more information.

With Obamacare, there are 1,500 pages of regulations being created every week that will forever change the way the individual and small businesses pay for health insurance.

In the largest redistribution-of-wealth scheme this country has ever seen, 'Obamacare' will begin a series of annual assessments and taxes on insurers to the tune of over $14 billion in 2014 and $18 billion in 2018.

Exploring creative strategic alternatives like private insurance exchanges, self-funding and co-employment partnerships are wise considerations. As well, businesses need to make sure that they are receiving more than just health insurance from their broker. Risk management, compliance, health and wellness, communication and education as well as individual insurance options should be on your radar.

Join our group on LinkedIn: Obamacare: Strategies for Business to Survive. We welcome you to join in the conversation with our LinkedIn group dedicated to discussions for business owners on Obamacare: Strategies for Business To Survive. Read articles, download documents, join the conversation, and add your expertise!

Here are 5 easy things to remember to help save yourself some money when it comes to your own health care costs.

1) Compare costs of health care services

• Check with your doctor or health care facility and compare the cost of services before receiving care
• Make sure the charges are covered by your health care plan.
• Employees can use health care transparency tools to help estimate costs.

2) Prescription choices

• Generic prescriptions are a great choice for less cost.
• Utilizing a split-pill or mail order program can also save you a lot of money.

3) Choose In-Network Options

• Choose in-network providers.
• When doctors order routine lab work or when you enter a health care facility for services, always as for an in-network option.

4) Save emergency rooms for emergencies

If you are not experiencing a true emergency, visit your doctor or go to a walk-in clinic.

5) Take care of health conditions before they become costly

• Costs related to chronic conditions can be kept in check when employees learn how to improve their overall health.
• Participation in an annual bio metric screening is a good way to start understanding your own health.

For more information about WellCompForLife, about self-funding your health insurance plan, health care reform or basic employee benefits questions, contact knowledgebroker Riley Enright.

Join our group on LinkedIn: Obamacare: Strategies for Business to Survive. We welcome you to join in the conversation with our LinkedIn group dedicated to discussions for business owners on Obamacare: Strategies for Business To Survive. Read articles, download documents, join the conversation, and add your expertise!

Has your company considered the link between obesity and occupation injury?

Journal of Obesity published a recent study by Ian Janssen, et al., which examines this relationship. A sample of 7,678 adult Canadian workers, were placed into normal weight, overweight, and obese categories based on their BMI body mass index. Findings show obese workers were more likely to report occupational injuries, with a great frequency of strains and sprains, along with falls and overexertion injuries. Interestingly, workers 40+ years, female workers and workers in sedentary occupations were particularly vulnerable. While there was not significant increased risk found with the overweight individuals, the impact of loss productivity, absenteeism and overall health costs should be further studied.

At R&R, we are seeing more and more small businesses in Wisconsin having serious discussions about the link between obesity and workplace injury. On top of that – when you factor in wellness programs that will increase the health and longevity of employees and their families – small businesses can have a lot control over their health insurance costs and the productivity of their employees - control that they don't know they have. At R&R Insurance, we call this program WellCompForLife! Join the WellCompForLife discussion on LinkedIn!

For more information about WellCompForLife, about self-funding your health insurance plan, health care reform or basic employee benefits questions, contact knowledgebroker Riley Enright