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Specialty Lines
Have you ever seen a situation where someone, or even a board or committee, just does not want to make a decision? Sometimes it is because of a lack of information, or an inability to develop a consensus. And then there is the fear of making a mistake. There can be many easy traps to fall into which lead to doing nothing. "If we just let it alone it will be fine."
Not making a decision is still a decision. And it might be just as incorrect as one of the options presented for action. When a problem has been identified, options are presented, it needs to be clear that the option of doing nothing may have the same risks (or even more) as taking a step in a different direction.
In public administration, the example which strikes me most often is infrastructure. We too often wait until the prison, bridge, courthouse or 911 center is falling apart before we decide to replace it, instead of budgeting for ongoing repairs and improvements and better maintaining our facilities as they age. In county government we may get trapped by the hard work of the upcoming year's budget, and some may think too much about just the four year term of which they are in the midst. I understand that, and acknowledge there are many, many decisions which need to be made.
I have been impressed with the increased emphasis on risk management in Pennsylvania's counties, and with the growing realization that prevention of claims also means keeping infrastructure in good shape. Our PCoRP and PComp loss prevention and safety grants may be small in comparison, but can offer some relief in these situations. We are here to focus decision making on preventing claims by, among other things, keeping facilities safer.
In the middle of May, a news report noted the President Judge of Warren County, Iowa declared the county courthouse no longer habitable. The county supervisors have been looking at either making extensive plumbing, electrical and heating and cooling repairs or building a new courthouse. The judge closed courts twice last year because of plumbing and sewer gas leaks. I know this is not the kind of press coverage any county wants, but it is a good example of the extreme result of waiting too long to deal with an infrastructure issue. Make sure you contact us when you need help with something, John Sallade
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New PCoRP Board Member Appointed
David Witchey, Columbia County Chief Clerk, was appointed to the PCoRP Board of Directors to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Gail Kipp. Gail served on the PCoRP board for 24 years, starting in 1993, serving for many of those years as Vice Chairman. No one has served on the PCoRP board as long as Gail!
There is still one vacancy on the PCoRP board, due to the resignation of Carl Geffken. He was the representative of 2A and 3rd Class counties, and those member counties were contacted seeking nominations to fill the vacancy. |
COMCARE PRO SAC Meeting
The COMCARE PRO Subscribers Advisory Committee met on May 11, 2016, via conference call. The SAC reviewed financial reports, including preliminary year end information. The committee spent most of the meeting with a final review of changes needed in the RRG's rules and regulations to comply with Vermont's newly revised Governance Standards. It was noted that most of the changes were things PRO is already doing, but the changes now put those items in writing. The SAC adopted the changes recommended by their Vermont legal counsel. The board meets next August 24, 2016, in Vermont.
COMCARE PRO is a Vermont based risk retention group established by CCAP to provide stop loss insurance for county behavioral health programs.
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UC Trustees Declare 2.5 Million Dollar Dividend
The CCAP UC Trustees met on May 13, 2016, at the CCAP Office. In addition to regular reports on claims and financial matters, the trustees received the 2015 financial audit from Johnson and Lambert. After review and adoption of the audit, the trustees voted to issue a 2.5 million dollar dividend to the membership. As in prior years, the dividend will be distributed based on each member's contributions and claims history. Checks should be mailed to the members in July 2016. This is the third year in a row the UC Trust has issued a dividend: two million dollars in 2015 and $925,000 in 2014.
The board meets next on October 7, 2016, at the CCAP office.
The UC Trust is CCAP's unemployment compensation pool, and is the association's oldest insurance program, beginning operations in 1980.
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PCoRP - Glass Coverage - effective June 1, 2016
By: Ryan Cale, PCoRP Claims Representative 2
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania
Here's a new service for PCoRP members - auto glass repair!
Member Benefits:
- Statewide coverage - providing every member access to mobile service and retail stores
- Lifetime warranty on repairs and replacement
- No lost time getting estimates or vehicles sitting at a body shop
- Less paperwork for claims representative
- Cost savings - No markup paid to shops
- 15% PCoRP discount
- Mobile service will come to you and have the vehicle back in service in two hours
Claims Process:
This streamlined process for simple glass claims will result in both a time and cost savings for members. For more information, contact CCAP claims staff at (800)-895-9039.
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Is it time to update your Workers' Compensation Provider Panel?
By: Jean Henry, RN, Risk Control Wellness Nurse County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania
If your workers' compensation provider panel has not been updated within the last two years, then the information that follows is very important for you! Chances are good that one or more of your listed providers has closed their practice, moved to a different practice, stopped accepting workers' compensation clients or changed their business name, address or other contact information.Without a current provider list, you can lose valuable claim management capability which can increase the time and expense of a claim. So, don't wait for a claim to discover that your panel needs a tune up. Remember, we are here to help you. For recommendations and assistance with your panel provider, contact Jean Henry, RN, Risk Control Wellness Nurse with PComp at jhenry@pacounties.org or (717) 736-4782.If you have already updated your provider panel, please forward it to any PComp Claims Representative or the Risk Control Wellness Nurse.
As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve your county!
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Be Safe During Home Visitations
By: Dennis Cutler, CSHM
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania
All counties provide services where employees must visit client's homes. These services include Children and Youth, Probation, etc. Employees prepare for the visit by reviewing case history, but may not prepare for their own safety before entering the premises.
There have been reported claims of dog bites, physical assaults inside and outside the home, falls, fires and even stumbling upon a meth lab. So what can you do to reduce the potential for personal injury?
There are many ways to prepare for the visit before going into the home. The following are some suggestions, but this is not an exhaustive list.
Check with Google Maps before going on the visit. The map service allows you to enter the address and will provide you a complete view of the home and surrounding exposures. Look for safe parking and walking areas away from shrubs, walls and other obstacles where an assailant can hide. Check for stairs, their condition and handrails.
Let managers and other employees know where you are going. Phone or text your arrival and departure for each visit. If you know of or suspect violent clients, request assistance from the Sheriff's Department or other law enforcement official. While they may not be able accompany you on all of these visits, you can keep them informed of your status.
Demand that all dogs and other pets be secured before entering the home. Many times the owner will state the pet is very friendly and doesn't pose a threat, but they may bite out of excitement and nervousness. The owner may also confirm the pet is up to date on shots and vaccinations, but many times this is not the case.
Awareness of your surroundings is crucial to safety. Before you exit your vehicle, check the surroundings for exposures. Do not use your phone or text while walking to the home, as this completely distracts your attention from any possible threat.
You now enter the home. Have your phone with you and accessible at all times. Plan your exit strategy in case of an emergency. Look for hazards that may cause you or the resident injury. Check for smoke detectors, overloaded electrical outlets, handrails on stairs, crowded conditions, fire exposures, etc.
After the visit, don't let your guard down. The same exposures are present and your awareness is critical to avoid injury.
Again, these suggestions are only a starting point for home visit safety. For more information, contact the CCAP Risk Control Department at (800)-895-9039; or email us:
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Upcoming Events
PIMCC Board Meeting
June 17, 2016
CCAP Office, Harrisburg
PComp Board Retreat June 22 - 24, 2016 Omni Bedford Springs COMCARE PRO SAC Meeting August 24, 2016 Hotel Vermont, Burlington, VT
PELICAN SAC Meeting August 22-23, 2016 Hotel Vermont, Burlington, VT |
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2016 ASPIRE AWARD
Honoring Innovative Leadership in Promoting County Employee Retirement Savings
Are you aware that over 350,000 county employees from more than 3,000 county agencies are saving for retirement with the NACo Deferred Compensation program?
In a day and age when individuals and organizations alike are pushed to do more with less, NACo is eager to recognize the monumental contribution from NACo's county plan sponsors in marketing this cornerstone program successfully and helping that number of participants reach new heights.
Many counties, as employers and plan sponsors of the NACo Deferred Compensation Program, have developed and implemented innovative approaches to help create opportunities for their employees to be retirement ready. NACo, and its Program administrator, Nationwide Retirement Solutions, have created the Aspire Award to recognize two plan sponsors that have gone above and beyond in empowering their employees for retirement success.
Two awards will be presented and consideration will be given to the plan sponsors who present measurable outcomes that result from unique, unusual, original efforts to successfully engage county employees in their retirement futures. The impact of the efforts will be evaluated.
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HOT TOPIC: Unemployment Compensation Lien Issues
We have seen some major problems in the last year with the state's new unemployment compensation computer software. These problems have led to the state placing liens on counties, and stopping grant payments. In almost every case, this has happened because the state has entered information incorrectly into their system. Counties are responsible for making two types of unemployment compensation (UC) payments. One is the amount of UC tax withheld from employees' paychecks. This is sent directly to the state. Second type of payment is the reimbursement for UC claims paid to your employees. This is sent either to the CCAP UC Trust (42 counties do this) or directly to the state. In some cases, the state is not distinguishing which payment it receives, and incorrectly places the UC tax withheld in the reimbursement account, or vice versa. This then creates a shortage or even a credit in one of the accounts, so statements sent to the county (and to the UC Trust) are incorrect. The software also then may be putting interest penalties because the payments have not been received, when they actually were received but put into the wrong account.
This has been terribly frustrating for counties and for the CCAP finance staff. We've been working on a case by case basis with Labor and Industry staff to correct these situations and remove the liens, but the state only has a few auditors who can work on these accounts. We would like to thank the members of the UC Trust for their patience as we work on this issue, and for their understanding that these liens are not the result of anything the UC Trust has done (our payments are always made on time).
UC Trust members with questions or concerns about liens should contact Sara Hazelton at CCAP, (800) 895-9039 x 3312.
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| Quote of the Month
"The greatest mistake you can make in your life is to be continually fearing you will make one."
-Elbert Hubbard
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