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INSURANCE MATTERS
A Newsletter for Members of the CCAP Insurance Programs
Owned by Members, Governed by Members, Service to Members
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| July 2009 |
Volume 13, Issue 6 | |
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| Specialty Lines |
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Hello ,
You have no doubt seen references in Insurance Matters about local insurance producers. For example, when a new member joins one of our programs the article will note who their local producer is. I thought it might be helpful to explain what local producers are and how they work with our insurance programs and the members.
First of all, the term is fairly recent. Most people are familiar with "insurance agent" or "insurance broker." These two terms used to indicate whether the insurance professional primarily represented an insurance company (agent) or the client (broker). Several years ago the state law was changed, and the two concepts were merged, and all licensed insurance professionals in Pennsylvania are now called producers. Most other states have the same system.
Producers work for you, the client, and may or may not represent one or more insurance companies. In general they can access most markets you need for insurance coverage. As in the past, many are paid through commissions from the company or insurance pool the client selects for coverage, although more and more clients are paying a flat fee to their producer. The flat fee allows the producer to recommend the best product for the client, without impact to their bottom line due to varied commission levels.
Several of CCAP's insurance programs - PCoRP, PComp, PELICAN and Tax Collector Bonds - require the member to select a local insurance producer in order to access the program. Each program has technical insurance work which the local producer needs to complete and review before the program provides a cost proposal. On an ongoing basis the producer is the member's partner, providing professional advice about risks and exposures, and assisting the member with obtaining services from the program.
The local insurance producer chosen by the county or entity is an important partner in the provision of service from the insurance pool. We try to keep them informed of the pool's policies, changes, products, and invite them to all meetings we have at the member's offices. Producers are included in all the mailings we send to the members, and can attend any of our loss control training sessions. Once a year we hold a producer's meeting and provide them with some free continuing education, and updates on all our programs.
There are some programs where we do not use producers - UC Trust, COMCARE PRO - due to the unique nature of these coverages, and the fact they are not normally sold through producers. For our BEST Flex program we have selected producers who have developed some unique programs, and they act as the producer for the BEST Flex programs.
And, just to make things interesting, we have one program where use of a local producer is optional - PACAH Bonds. Nursing homes can buy these patient trust fund bonds directly from us or may assign a local producer to assist them.
The most important thing for counties and county related entities to remember is that your local insurance producer is your choice, and should be a valuable resource to help you with your risk management program. They are paid by the county or county related entity (either directly or through commissions on your business) so make sure you avail yourself of their assistance!
If you would like more information about local producers, please contact me. For PCoRP and PComp we have a suggested listing of responsibilities for local producers which you might find helpful.
Make sure you call us when you need help with something,
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| PCoRP And PComp Advisory Standards Recognition Renewed |
| By John Sallade, Managing Director, CCAP Insurance Programs
AGRiP, the Association of Govermental Risk Pools, has announced the renewal of AGRiP Advisory Standards Recognition for the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool (PCoRP) and the Pennsylvania Counties Workers' Compensation Trust (PComp). Both PCoRP and PComp initially achieved the recognition in 1997 and have gone through the recertification process every three years. Recognition has now been earned through April 1, 2012.
As the recognized authority on and resource for information on intergovernmental pools, AGRiP is the leading national association for pool management. The AGRiP Recognition Program is based on self-evaluation by the pool of their compliance with the AGRiP Advisory Standards For Public Entity Risk and Employee Benefits Pools. AGRiP has a committee of pool administrators who review the applications and approved the recognition. Nationally 40 pools have achieved recognition status. The review encompasses about 60 specifics policies and procedures of pool operations, from core documents to member and producer communication to financial details.
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| Pennsylvania Worker And Community Right To Know |
By Greg Cunningham, ARM, GSP, Loss Control Specialist
As Federal programs such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) aim to protect workers in the private sector, Pennsylvania has taken steps to do the same for public sector employees with their Worker and Community Right to Know Act. This act also covers those private sector employees not already covered under OSHA.
PURPOSE OF THE ACT
To ensure that public sector employees (and private sector employers not already covered by OSHA) in Pennsylvania are protected regarding specific chemical hazards in the workplace and to increase employee awareness in order to protect themselves and others who may work with dangerous chemicals. The employee workplace notice of this act must be posted prominently in the workplace where employee notices are normally posted.
TRAINING
Those employees who come into contact with potentially hazardous chemicals must be provided with annual training and education on chemical hazards. This training may be presented either in written form or in training sessions. Documenting your training dates, times and subject matter is very important!
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SURVEY FORM (HSSF)
All employers must complete this survey annually! This form will provide an inventory of the hazardous substances found within your workplace during the prior calendar year. These must be displayed prominently and provided to any employee upon request. Everything from those substances used during production processes to cleaning agents used at the end of the day should be included in this survey.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS)
These sheets provide important information regarding hazardous substances and should be readily available to employees without the intervention or permission of management. The sheets should ideally be accessible in the work area where the substance is going to be used. Should an MSDS be requested by an employee and he/she not be provided with the appropriate information then that employee may refuse to work with the substance.
LABELING
All containers and pipelines of hazardous and non-hazardous substances in public sector workplaces must be properly labeled and employers must ensure each label, sign, placard and operating instruction is prominently affixed and displayed on the container or pipeline system so as to make them easily identifiable.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD SURVEY FORM (EHSF)
This form provides information about any environmental hazards emitted, discharged or disposed of from the workplace. All employers are required to complete an EHSF when and if requested to do so by the Department of Labor and Industry.
HEALTH AND EXPOSURE RECORDS
Those employers covered under this act must maintain and allow employee access to records of employee chemical exposure to the extent required by OSHA.
While this may seem like a lot of work, please remember that the act is attempting to keep your employees safe from these hazards and we should all do everything possible to achieve that goal.
The majority of information found within this article comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry website and related articles.
To learn more about the Pennsylvania Worker and Community Right to Know Act please click the following link: http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=144&Q=70633
Should you have any questions regarding these regulations please feel free to contact a member of the CCAP Loss Control Team.
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| Coming In January 2010: The Society Of County Human Resource Professionals Of Pennsylvania |
| By Julia Jackson, Employee Benefit Programs Manager
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP), in conjunction with a committee of 12 Pennsylvania county and county related entity (CRE) human resource professionals, has developed a new affiliate association, the Society of County Human Resource Professionals of Pennsylvania. The purpose of this association is to advance the profession of human resources in Pennsylvania counties and CREs, improve the professional development of county and CRE human resources and benefits personnel, and enhance the services available to county and CRE human resources and benefits personnel.
The following is a detailed overview of the Society of County Human Resource Professionals of Pennsylvania which outlines the goals, services and dues structure for this unique association. We ask for your support as we build a network of similarly-tasked professionals, and provide an opportunity for your county or CRE to learn from both experts in the human resource field and from the challenges and successes of your colleagues from across the Commonwealth. Membership will begin in January, so as you begin to plan your 2010 budgets this fall, we hope you will consider the benefits of this new association.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Membership will be exclusive to Pennsylvania county human resource personnel, and chief clerks and other personnel in counties without designated human resource personnel. Membership may include human resource personnel from all county facilities, county related entities and county affiliated human service programs. Associate memberships and sponsorship opportunities will be available.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
- To be the primary source for Pennsylvania county human resource information and services
- To align as a chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
- To provide industry-leading conferences, training and certification programs for Pennsylvania county human resource personnel
- To provide legislative advocacy on human resource and employment-related policy
SERVICES
- Educational opportunities to include an annual conference, workshops, Webinars and a certification program similar to the CCAP Academy for Excellence
- All-inclusive Web site for access to industry-related resources, sample county policies, news and information, survey data, networking tools and more
- Quarterly e-newsletter
- Mentorship program and resources for new county human resource personnel
- A vehicle for county human resource personnel to access sound, cost effective legal advice or expert advice
- A "voice" at CCAP and at the county level as issues arise that could affect county human resources
DUES STRUCTURE
Each county or county related entity (CRE) is considered the member, not individual staff, so one annual fee gives all human resources and benefits personnel within the county or CRE full access to the benefits of the Society. Also included in the cost of dues is ONE membership to the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) which will be for the "primary" member within the county or CRE (i.e. human resource director or the chief clerk in counties without human resources staff). This is a $160 value!
- Counties with no dedicated human resource or benefits staff, $375 per year
- Counties with one to two human resources or benefits staff members, $625 per year
- All county related entities (CREs), $625 per year
- Counties with three to five human resources or benefits staff members, $875 per year
- Counties with six or more human resources or benefits staff members, $1,125 per year
For more information about the Society for County Human Resource Professionals of Pennsylvania, email Julia Jackson or call (800) 895-9039.
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| The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act In Pennsylvania: How PLGIT Can Help Municipalities Make The Most Of Stimulus Funding |
| By Brian Sanker, Consultant, PLGIT
In February of this year, President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, creating a means to provide struggling economies with $787 billion in tax credits, grants and financing. Approximately $16 billion of those funds are designated for Pennsylvania at the state level, as well as for Pennsylvania local governments, authorities and school districts.
These funds, while sorely needed by many local municipalities in the Commonwealth, come with very specific stipulations in terms of the types of approved projects, timelines and reporting.
SHORT-TERM OPTIONS
The window for municipalities to receive and use funding from this stimulus bill is very narrow. Managers must have cash readily available to pay vendors and yet balance that goal by ensuring that funds do not just sit idle or get eroded by fees over time.
Locking-in a portion of funds to meet anticipated future cash flows, even in the short-term, may be an option to optimizing returns before and during a project. PLGIT offers a number of investment options, and can be invaluable in helping managers maximize earnings on stimulus funds in timing the allocation of funds between investments and expenses.
TRACKING
As part of the application process for ARRA funds, municipalities must submit detailed plans outlining how money will be allocated, over what time period, and more.
Weighing these requirements, it may be wise to partition stimulus funds from general operating accounts to ensure that expenses are easy to follow and ultimately report. PLGIT offers an unlimited number of accounts at no cost to Participants, so municipalities receiving stimulus funds can easily have funds wired directly into a designated stimulus account. With PLGIT's procurement card or "P-Card," Participants can track spending, quickly pay vendors and suppliers, and simplify reporting.
REPORTING
Municipalities are required to submit up to seven types of different reports to the granting agencies to document that their stimulus funds were spent in accordance with ARRA and state guidelines.
PLGIT's easy online network, EON, allows managers to generate up-to-the-minute reports for specific accounts, time periods, deposits or withdrawals. The availability of a customizable automated reporting system allows managers to proceed with projects knowing that they can meet the reporting obligations of their ARRA awards.
With the help of PLGIT's investment options and its flexible tracking and reporting, Pennsylvania municipalities are in an excellent position to meet the expectations of the communities they serve, as well as the obligation of the federal government and the ARRA.
For more information email Brian Sanker, consultant for PFM Asset Management LLC, investment advisor and administrator to PLGIT, or contact your PLGIT Representative at (800) 572-1472.
This information does not represent an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any fund or other security. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in any of the Trust's portfolios. This and other information about the Trust's portfolios is available in each portfolio's current Information Statement, which should be read carefully before investing. Copies of these Information Statements may be obtained by calling (800) 572-1472 or are available on the Trust's website at www.plgit.com.
While the PLGIT and PLGIT/ARM portfolios seek to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share and the PLGIT/TERM portfolio seeks to achieve a net asset value of $1.00 per share at its stated maturity, it is possible to lose money investing in the Trust. An investment in the Trust is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Shares of the Trust's portfolios are distributed by PFM Fund Distributors, Inc., member Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) (www.finra.org). PFM Fund Distributors, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of PFM Asset Management LLC. Member SIPC.
A description of the PLGIT CD Program is contained in the PLGIT Information Statement. The Information Statement contains important information and should be read carefully before investing. Participants may purchase Certificates of Deposit through the PLGIT CD Program only by executing an investment advisory agreement with the Program's Investment Adviser, PFM Asset Management LLC.
SMPLGIT, PLGIT-Class Shares, PLGIT/PLUS-Class Shares, PLGIT/I-Class Shares, PLGIT/TERM, PLGIT-CD, PLGIT/ARM, PLGIT/SAM, and PLGIT-CAP are service marks of the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust.
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| Potter County Named 2009 Biggest Loser |
| By Julia Jackson, Employee Benefit Program Manager
In early April, a group of 508 individuals from seven counties as well as the CCAP staff began working towards two common goals; 1) lose weight by engaging in their county's wellness program or other activities, and 2) be the county that loses the greatest percentage of weight over a 10-week period. The participating counties, which included Berks, Butler, Columbia, Cumberland, Potter, Union, and Washington, and CCAP conducted bi-weekly weigh-ins of their participants. Each entity's weigh-in total and overall percentages of weight loss were tracked online.
The initial weigh-in weight of all participants was 104,724.30 pounds. After just 10 short weeks, the participants lost a total of 3,611 pounds or 3.45%!
Potter County took a commanding lead from the start of the competition and kept on losing pounds, finishing with an astounding 5.44% total weight loss (equal to a loss of 833 pounds) which has earned them the title of 2009 "Biggest Loser". Of the county's 200+ employees, 71 participated in the competition and together averaged a loss of 11.73 pounds per participant! The second place loser was Berks County with a total loss of 3.73%, and third place was awarded to the 2008 CCAP Biggest Loser contest champions, Columbia County, with a total loss of 3.56%.
Congratulations to our top three losers and to everyone who participated in this year's competition. We will plan to do it again next spring!
For more information on the CCAP Biggest Loser contest, email Julia Jackson or call (800) 895-9039.
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| Fall Workshop Planning Is Underway! |
| By Linda Rosito, Insurance Training Director
Thank you to all who joined us the spring. It was a great season. We hope to see you again in the fall and please...bring a friend.
The CCAP Insurance Programs Workshops have taken a break for the summer months. But we are busy planning for the fall workshop season.
This fall we will be offering a total of 21 workshop opportunities for you. We are offering our ever popular Excellent Supervisor Seminar Series with the topic being The 10 Keys to Effective SupervisionTM. Some of our other topics will include defensive driving, stress management, maintenance and risk management issues.
Look for your fall Glimpse in early August. If you would like to receive a copy please contact us. A fall save the date flyer is now available online.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Linda Rosito or Jenn Carey at (800) 895-9039.
Stay tuned! We look forward to seeing you in September!
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| Quote Of The Month |
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"Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use."
- Wendell Johnson
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CCAP Insurance Programs
PO Box 60769, Harrisburg, PA 17106-0769
Phone (800) 895-9039 - FAX (717) 526-1020
Claims Fax (888) 692-2368
Click here to go the Insurance Section of the CCAP Website.
email:jsallade@pacounties.org
Insurance Matters is published monthly by CCAP Insurance Programs for the use of members of CCAP's UC Trust, PCoRP, PComp, PIMCC, COMCARE, COMCARE PRO, BEST Flex, PELICAN and other insurance programs, and insurance producers of these members.
Advice contained in this publication is not legal advice and members are encouraged to seek the opinion of their solicitor.
The information provided in this publication is not intended to take the place of professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with competent legal, financial, or other appropriate professionals. Statements of facts and opinions expressed in this publication, by authors other than Association staff and officers, are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent an opinion or philosophy of the officers, members and staff of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). No endorsement of advertised products or services is implied by CCAP unless those products or services are expressly endorsed, or are owned or managed by the Association programs, or our affiliates. This publication may not be reproduced, modified, distributed, or displayed in part or in whole, by any means, without advance written permission of CCAP. Please direct your requests to John Sallade, Managing Director, CCAP Insurance Programs, jsallade@pacounties.org.
Note: As part of its copyright agreement the CCAP grants the author the right to place the final version of his/her manuscript on the author's homepage, subject to CCAP's standards, or in a public digital repository, provided there is a link to the CCAP website.
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