Volume 26 Issue 5

May 2016


www.pacounties.org
INSURANCE MATTERS
An e-newsletter of the County Commissioners
Association of Pennsylvania Insurance Programs

 

Owned by Members       Governed by Members       Service to Members
In This Issue
Board Meetings
NEW Insurance Staff
Sheriff gets new AEDs
Workshop Opportunities
UC Trust EAP Provider
Nationwide - Workshops
U.S. Communities: New Contract
CCAP Associate Members
Upcoming Events
Medical Provider Panel
$500,000 in liability insurance
Quote of the Month
 
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Specialty Lines
 

Certain times of the year almost seem like a rewind from last year. There are many things we do regarding our insurance programs which happen on the same schedule. Right now we are in the "first board meeting of the year" process with most of our insurance boards. This is often because winter travel makes it hard for everyone to get to meetings prior to March or April.

But then there are the exciting new things, and we have a really cool one we have been working on. This is a PCoRP project, for the 49 counties and 4 county related entities who are members of the property and liability pool. We are working to offer every PCoRP member who operates a jail an automated system to document interactions with their inmates. A product of the Guardian RFID company, the project is still in the planning stages, but the PCoRP board has approved moving forward with the development of a contract, and has set aside funds for implementation. We held focus group meetings with wardens and county prison staff to get feedback about the idea. If all goes to plan, we will announce the program at the PCoRP Prison Risk Management workshop on May 26.

We like the way this product allows corrections staff to provide documentation, which then provides PCoRP with great information should we need to defend the county or county related entity from a lawsuit against the county and prison staff.

Watch for more about this project in the coming months! Make sure you contact us when you need help with something,
                                  John Sallade
Program Board Meeting Updates
  
CCAP Health Alliance
The board met on April 8, 2016, at the CCAP office. The board elected officers for 2016:
  • Chairman: Erick Coolidge, Tioga County Commissioner
  • Vice Chairman: Basil Huffman, Forest County Commissioner
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Trisha Douglas, Clarion County HR Director

The board reviewed plans for the 2016-17 renewal process, and received a report on Cadillac Tax planning and other healthcare reform and IRS regulation issues.

 

PCoRP
The board of directors of the Pennsylvania County Risk Pool met on April 14, 2016, at the CCAP office. The board adopted pricing and reinsurance coverage for the June 1, 2016 renewal. Materials for the renewal will be sent to all members in early May 2016. The renewal pricing resulted in an average cost the same as the expiring year. Member's costs will vary depending on their claims history and any changes in exposures. The board also took action to approve implementation of the Guardian prison software project.

SCHRPP
The SCHRPP board of directors met on April 14, 2016, via conference call. Much of the meeting dealt with planning for the September 8 and 9, 2016, Annual Conference, which will be held at the Radisson Valley Forge Casino Resort. Plans for the locations of the 2017 and 2018 Annual Conferences were also discussed.
New Insurance Staff Member

Welcome Desiree Nguyen, who joined the CCAP staff on April 4, 2016! Desiree is the Deputy Director, Insurance Pool Operations and the Executive Director of SCHRPP (Society of County Human Resource Professionals of Pennsylvania). SCHRPP is a CCAP affiliate.

Desiree is also responsible for the CCAP Unemployment Compensation Trust, Prison Inmate Medical Cost Containment program and its Act 22 Service, COMCARE PRO, the CCAP Health Alliance and is the contact for the NACo programs endorsed by CCAP (Deferred Compensation, Post Employment Health, US Communities, Prescription Discounts and more).

Desiree comes to CCAP with 12 years experience in county government, in Domestic Relations and HR. She is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College.

You can contact her via email: dnguyen@pacounties.org, or direct phone: (717) 736-4779. 
Sheriff's Department gets new AEDs
By: Cassie Troup, Marketing Associate
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania

Corporal Sal Manda of the Monroe County Sheriff's Department (see photo below) recently accepted five additional AEDs on the county's behalf. The funding for the new AEDs comes from their recently awarded PCoRP grant. The Sheriff's Department took the lead on the project this year, and decided to increase the county's safety efforts.

Since 2012, the PCoRP board has dedicated funds to support this successful grant program. The grant program provides PCoRP members with the financial support to help fund their loss prevention projects. Last year, PCoRP issued $474,544.33 in grant dollars to its members. This year we have received over 44 applications and distributed over $434,000 in grant funds.

We encourage all of our PCoRP members to take advantage of this program. As a reminder, the deadline to submit your 2015-2016 PCoRP grant application is May 31, 2016. If you are a member of PCoRP and have questions about the application process contact Keith Wentz, Underwriting and Risk Control Manager.

 Showcase the projects your county has completed with the assistance of PCoRP, PComp and PELICAN grant money. Email us at insurance@pacounties.org. Please include photo(s) and a short write up and we will feature it in the next edition of Insurance Matters. 
Workshop Opportunities

UC Trust EAP provider changes
By: Cassie Troup, Marketing Associate
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania

We wanted to make you all aware of the recent announcement from Mazzitti & Sullivan. As most of you know, Mazzitti & Sullivan is the EAP provider for the members of the UC Trust. Effective April 20, 2016, Mazzitti and Sullivan was acquired by Pyramid Healthcare, Inc.

Chuck Mazzitti, co-founder of Mazzitti & Sullivan, tells us that even though the ownership of Mazzitti and Sullivan is changing, everything remains the same including the name, staff, services and operations. Chuck will give up his duties as Chief Financial Officer and Human Resource and Benefits manager, but still remain heavily involved in the business. Chuck tells us that he is excited for this opportunity, he will be able to focus all his time and attention to the EAP program development, service delivery, training and conference services, noting "we should be bigger, stronger and even more responsive than we are now to the needs of our clients."

A little background: Pyramid Healthcare was founded in 1999, and is based in Altoona, PA. They currently operate over 70 treatment facilities and schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina. Their facilities are CARF accredited and staffed by licensed and qualified professionals. www.pyramidhealthcarepa.com
Nationwide - Social Security Workshops 
By: Emanuel Mahand, CRC, CBC, Program Director
Nationwide Retirement Solutions

Nationwide Retirement Plans is partnering with counties in Pennsylvania to provide education and information regarding the Social Security program. 

On April 19 and 20, 2016, CCAP and Franklin County hosted a Social Security workshop for their employees. During the workshop, individuals gained a better understanding regarding Social Security's: Lifetime Retirement Income, Payments indexed for inflation, Certain Spousal and Survival benefits and Preferential tax treatment. Making a sound decision about Social Security benefits is critical for ensuring your employees financial security in retirement. It also requires a greater understanding of how Social Security income fits into your employees overall retirement plan.

If you are interested in provided this workshop for your employees, please contact your local representative or Emanuel Mahand (Program Director) by phone at (609) 923-8859 or mahande@nationwide.com. 

U.S. Communities: New Technology Solutions Contract


U.S. Communities has announced the launch of the new national cooperative contract for Technology Products, Services, Solutions and Related Products and Services with the following supplier partners:

  • Carahsoft awarded for Google for Work products, services and solutions
  • DLT Solutions awarded for Amazon Web Services products, services and solutions
  • Insight Public Sector awarded for technology products, services and solutions along with the following named partners: Cisco; HP Inc.; Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Dell; Panasonic; EMC; Commvault; Symantec; Veritas; VMware; Apple; Microsoft; Citrix; and NetApp 
  • UNICOM Government awarded for technology services and solutions and related products 
    To learn more about this new contract, register for one of our complimentary webinars.
To learn more about this new contract, register for one of the complimentary webinars.

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR HERE:
 

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

8:00 a.m. PDT/11:00 a.m. EDT
OR

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Time: 10:00 a.m. PDT/1:00 p.m. EDT

NEW CCAP Associate Members

By: Mandi Glantz
Director of Member and Vendor Relations
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania

Please join us in welcoming the following new associate members to CCAP. 


Dominion Voting Systems
http://www.dominionvoting.com
Elections, Technology


Dominion Voting Systems is one of the largest and most trusted providers of elections technology solutions in the United States. Founded in 2003, Dominion has over 200 employees consisting of a mix of election veterans who understand technology and engineering experts who understand elections. Dominion is committed to producing the highest quality election solutions and delivering the best support services to over 1,200 customers across North America. Various initiatives, such as continuous innovation driven by customer partnerships, on-going certification efforts, and commitment to customer satisfaction, are helping Dominion reach its goal of being the clear partner of choice for election officials.

Traffic Planning and Design, Inc.
http://www.trafficpd.com
Engineering, Transportation

Founded in 1989, TPD is a transportation engineering firm with offices in PA and NJ, serving local governments and counties throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. TPD's areas of expertise include: highway design, bridge design and inspection, transportation planning and permitting, traffic signal and system design, construction management and inspection, environmental services and permitting, and complete streets and trail design.
Upcoming Events
 
2016 CCAP Solicitors' Conference
May 6, 2016
CCAP Office, Harrisburg

UC Trust Board Meeting
May 13, 2016
CCAP Office, Harrisburg
  
PELICAN SAC Meeting
May 19, 2016
Conference Call
  
2016 County Administration Conference
June 1 and 2, 2016
The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College

PIMCC Board Meeting
June 17, 2016
CCAP Office, Harrisburg

PComp Retreat and Board Meeting
June 22 - 24, 2016
Omni Bedford Springs
Developing a Strong Medical Provider Panel
By: Jeanie Henry, Risk Control Wellness Nurse
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania

One of the best ways to manage and to contain the cost of workers' compensation claims, other than not having any claims, is to establish a strong medical provider panel.  Do not underestimate the importance of your provider panel, which the PA Workers' Compensation Act provides the right for each employer to establish.
 
The Act is pretty clear on how to develop your panel.
  • The panel must contain at least six providers; three of the six providers must be physicians and no more than four may be coordinated care organizations. It is recommended that one of the six providers be a chiropractor. Each provider on the list must include their name, address, telephone number and medical specialty.
  • Listed providers must be geographically accessible, and their specialties appropriate for the anticipated work-related medical problems of the employees.
  • The employer must give written notice to each employee each time the panel list changes.
  • The employer must post the panel of medical providers in an area where employees will see it.
  • If using an established panel provider list, the employer must provide a clearly written notice to the injured employee of the employee's rights and responsibilities.
So how do you develop a strong panel within the PA Worker's Compensation Act guidelines?

Design your panel list for the best visual effect
Position the physicians you want your staff to utilize first at the top and front of your panel provider. On the reverse side, include the Employee's Rights and Responsibilities. Your finished product should be clean and easy to read.

Utilize physicians within the preferred provider network
These are physicians and other healthcare providers through PComp's managed care partner. They are professionals who are experienced in handling occupational injuries and committed to helping you control costs without sacrificing quality of treatment.

Utilize occupational health centers
Occupational medicine providers specialize in preventive medicine and management of illness, injury or disability that is related to the workplace. They evaluate the balance between work and health. Their focus is on evidenced based treatment and safe return to work.

Utilize urgent care centers
These centers are popping up all over. They are convenient for minor emergencies because no appointment is typically necessary, offer flexible business hours, include a laboratory and x-ray capabilities for one stop care. The turn-around time for a visit is faster than if an employee goes to the emergency department.

Utilize Care IQ Physical Therapy
Care IQ is a directed care network which simplifies the physical therapy appointment process. The network offers timely appointments and preferred pricing with over 50 percent of the nation's credentialed facilities.

Keep the panel list simple
You do not need multiple physicians per specialty. Your panel should follow the "Goldilocks Principal"; don't have too few providers, but don't have too many. Not having enough providers allows an employee to choose outside of the panel if a second opinion is needed, or if a referral specialty is not listed. Having too large of a panel can be confusing because it offers too many choices. The number of providers needs to be "just right". Two providers in the frequently used categories such as urgent care, occupational medicine, orthopedics and general surgery is reasonable. Less popular categories, such as neurosurgery, may only require one provider listing.

Interview the providers
Make an appointment to meet with your providers. Review your return to work program and commitment to provide modified work to meet any medical restrictions. Discuss the physician's treatment patterns such as use of narcotics and compounded medications, typical length of treatment per injury, frequency of follow up evaluations, availability of appointments and employer communication procedures.

A strong medical provider panel ensures that employees have access to immediate medical care with healthcare providers that are willing to work with the county or county related entity. These providers utilize evidenced based care, focus on the return to work philosophy and communicate with county management, claims and risk management staff.

For assistance developing or updating your provider panel list, contact Jeanie Henry, Risk Control Wellness Nurse at jhenry@pacounties.org or (717) 736-4782. 
HOT TOPIC
Why do counties need more than $500,000 in liability insurance coverage?

We get this question often when we are talking to members about governmental immunity. Pennsylvania law provides immunity protection from lawsuits, with some exceptions, and caps recovery amounts at $500,000/per occurrence. So why would a county buy limits in excess of $500,000?

There are two main reasons. First, the immunity law is a state law, so it does not apply to any actions in federal court. Federal court liability lawsuits include most personnel litigation, which often alleges violation of civil rights. There is no cap on damages that could be awarded against a county in federal court. That's why, for example, CCAP's PCoRP program has $5 million liability limit.

Secondly, there have been some court rulings which allow delay damages in addition to the $500,000 state immunity limit. This means accrued interest for the time it took from the incident to the award of the $500,000. So that can raise the total cost of the claim above $500,000.

For more information, contact Karen Cohen at CCAP.  
Quote of the Month
 
"A year from now you will wish
you had started today."
  
- Karen Lamb 
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Contact Us: John Sallade, Managing Director, CCAP Insurance Programs