Dallas Mercer Consulting Inc.
E-NEWS...February 2009
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Welcome to DMC's monthly E-News
What do you do when
your Workers' Compensation costs
and issues, as well as occupational health and safety concerns, including
eligibility for PRIME, become increasingly more difficult to manage? As an
employer, you know that you must keep fixed costs in line or adjust the price of
your product/service upward which
negatively
impacts your
competitiveness.
Each month, we will share industry stories and
statistics with you
providing you with important
interventions and tips on how to monitor and manage your worker's compensation
claim costs and occupational health and safety issues. We will also present case
studies to help you understand how DMC's disability managers and safety
consultants can remove the mystery surrounding workers'
compensation. If you determine a
need for our services, we would be delighted to work with you as
your "business partner" to attain your
objectives.
Thanks for reading as each month we will
bring you current, accurate up-to-date industry news. Click here to see what our clients
say about us...
Dallas Mercer
President, Dallas Mercer Consulting Inc. |
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Incorrect Charges Applied To Firm's WHSCC Account: This can happen to you!
Have you ever thought that your firm's Workplace Health, Safety, & Compensation Commission (WHSCC) costs appear excessive? Maybe you are on to something...
Many employers have little more than a passing acquaintance with how their workers' compensation insurance costs are determined. More importantly, many employers don't understand how to represent themselves effectively when assessment disputes arise. This article highlights a case where our investigation discovered our new client was incorrectly charged a high assessment rate resulting in excessive WHSCC charges. Our involvement corrected the error plus interest, read on.
DMC was contacted by a local company having difficulty managing its workers' compensation issues. DMC performed a needs analysis discovering that this new client was paying a higher than average assessment rate. Further investigation revealed this company had previously owned and registered two businesses with the WHSCC, both were assigned separate firm numbers and each company was assessed using a different rate. The business with the higher assessment rate had ceased operations and therefore the account for that business was suspended.
In order to determine why they were paying such a high assessment rate, DMC reviewed all existing company claims and discovered that the WHSCC had, in error, assigned some costly claims to the existing, operating company, that should have been charged to the suspended company resulting in skewed/inflated claims costs and increased assessments.
DMC provided documentation to the WHSCC proving their error and the WHSCC transferred the costs of the claims to the suspended firm. DMC requested the WHSCC retroactively recalculate the assessment rate of the active company resulting in a substantially lower rate, both retroactively and going forward. This action provided our new client with a substantial refund of thousands of dollars. The recalculated lower rate on a go forward basis also permitted this company to now be more competitive in the marketplace.
DMC then requested that the WHSCC also pay interest on the retroactive amounts paid to the company. The WHSCC denied the request. DMC was forced to take the interest issue to the external appeal process, the Workplace Health Safety & Compensation Review Division (WHSCRD). Representatives from the WHSCC were present at the hearing and accepted responsibility for the years of inflated rates charged to the company, but did not agree that the company was entitled to any interest on the money owed.
DMC was successful in arguing the client's case. The WHSCRD determined the employer was indeed entitled to interest, and the WHSCC were ordered to pay.
The "WHSCRD" Chief Review Commissioner stated in his decision;
"The employer's representative, I find makes a compelling case case for a change in the way employers are treated respecting interest payments on monies owed...
I find the fact that no provision exists for interest to be paid to employers cannot be interpreted in such a way as to discriminate against a workplace party relative to the treatment accorded the other workplace parties by virtue of the provisions in the Act...I do not find that the legislature intended to provide unfairness to employers...
I further find that the merits of this case, in the context of the spirit of the Act, warrant payment of interest on the amount of overpayment made to the Commission as a result of the error by the Commission. To do otherwise, would represent unfair treatment to the employer and I find, is contrary to the spirit and intent of the legislation and policy."
Are you now concerned about your workers' compensation costs? Are you paying above the industry base rate? Have you ever wondered if you were in the wrong WHSCC/WCB rate code? Do you understand the appeals process and your right to appeal? Are your claims' costs high? If you answered 'yes' to any of the above, call the Disability Managers at DMC for a Free 'Needs Analysis'. You will benefit from our assistance, advice and guidance.
DMC is a Disability Management Company specializing in workers' compensation claims management and non- occupational Leave Management, as well as providing Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management services. DMC offices are located in St. John's, NL, providing services to employers across Canada. Call us at (709) 364-3900 or visit us online at www.dmconsulting.ca to learn more about our services and to see what our clients are saying about us.
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 Featured Team Member
Tracy Froude, Disability Management Consultant
Tracy holds a holds a B.A. in Social Science, as well as a certificate in Criminology. She has been working with DMC as a disability manager since 2005. Her skill set includes training in Conflict Resolution, Non-Violent Crisis and Suicide Intervention along with Behavioral Management. Her role as rehabilitation manager, case manager and return to work specialist has proven to be very effective and highly valued by DMC clients.
Tracy's work experience includes Coordinator with the Student Development Dept. at MUN, Parole Officer at Corrections Canada, Case Manager at Family and Community Services & Case Manager with the WHSCC.
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 Penalty for Late Filing
ATTENTION EMPLOYERS: To be
considered for a 2008 PRIME refund and to avoid a delay in reporting penalty, Employers
payroll statements must be filed by February 28th.
You have 4 days left to file your
employer payroll statement!
The deadline for filing your 2008
employer payroll statements is fast approaching. Your annual employer package was
mailed on January 16, 2009. If you have
not received your annual employer statement package, please contact the
WHSCC at (709) 778-2922 or toll-free at 1-866-955-2922 and they will send
you another copy. These forms are not available on-line as the form is
personalized for each employer.
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About Us... 
DMC understands that employers have minimal knowledge and understanding of the workers' compensation system and the important role that employers play in the process. DMC's goal is to remove the mystery surrounding workers' compensation issues for employers and work closely with them as a business partner, handling all of their disability management issues, work related as well as non-occupational.
Have you ever thought your Workers' Compensation or non-occupational leave costs are too high? Concerned that you are paying above your industry's rates? Thought you were in the wrong WHSCC/WCB rate code? Wondered how you could appeal issues? Are you effectively managing your workers' compensation issues? Are you concerned that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to manage the PRIME requirements?
If you answered 'yes' to any of the above, call DMC for a FREE 'Needs Analysis' to provide you assistance, advice, and guidance.
DMC is a local Disability Management Company specializing in Leave Management, Workers' Compensation Claims Management, as well as providing Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) services to clients all across Canada.
DMC offices are located in St. John's. You may contact DMC at (709) 364-3900 or visit online at www.dmconsulting.ca.
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TRAINING CALENDAR
St. John's
MANDATORY
Occupational Health & Safety Committee Training
Wed & Thurs
February 25 & 26, 2009
Traveller's Inn
St. John's, NL
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OUR SERVICES
Claims Management
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