L&I Retro Pool & Safety Alliance
A county has two alternatives for workers
compensation costs in the state of Washington. One is self-insurance and
the other is state funded insurance. A self-insured county is
responsible for paying dollar for dollar the total cost of any claim out
of their own pocket. In the state fund a county pays quarterly
premiums to Department of Labor
and Industries (L&I) to cover the insurance of their
employees for workers compensation injuries. Only counties in the state
fund have an opportunity to participate in the Retro Pool.
Member Options
Counties Retro Pool
Retrospective Rating (Retro) Plans are an optional
program offered by the Washington State L&I to allow employers to recapture a portion of their
workers compensation premiums. All program rules and regulations of the
Retro program are mandated by the department. Washington State
Association of Counties (WSAC) offers a Retro Plan that rewards member
counties, special districts, cities and Regional Support Networks for
maintaining a safe workplace and controlling workers' compensation
costs. The lower the group's claims costs, the higher the refunds. Since
its inception, the pool has refunded millions of dollars to
participating counties.
Since the Retro Rating Program began in 1986, members
have received more than $4.9 million in refunds from L&I - an average of
10% of the group's standard premiums. As the Retro Program continues to
grow, it continues to implement changes that will facilitate even
greater savings for participating members. Beginning April 1, 2003, the
program instituted a performance-based refund that rewards members that
actively and successfully manage claims costs.
 MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING
County Workplace Safety Alliance (CWSA)
The CWSA allow members to realize the benefits of
claims management and loss prevention services through a group purchase.
Some counties opt out of the Retro Pool but want to use CWSA services to
improve workplace safety and reduce costs. Other members use the
services of CWSA to help them reduce losses and re-qualify for retro and
potential refunds. CWSA membership is a requirement for any employer
wishing to participate in the Counties Retro Pool.
Safety
Academy
Member Benefits
- Protection of Group
Participation. The Retro Pool has removed any current risk by
establishing a reserve account to pay an assessment in any given
year.
- Training is offered
at no extra cost to members and is available on-site and at
regional meetings throughout the year.
- Conferences. The Retro Program offers
an annual conference each year to members at no additional fee.
The conference offers members an opportunity to network and
share ideas, participate in training, as well as hear industry
experts discuss current labor and industries issues.
- Program Coordinator.
Washington State Association of Counties employs a Retro Program
Coordinator to liaison between member agencies and the
Department of Labor and Industries. The Coordinator provides
current news updates and serves as a resource for member
questions.
- Policy Library. The
Retro Program manages a library of safety and accident
prevention policies, and other resource materials available to
all Retro Program members.
Financial Aspects
Members pay an enrollment and service fee of 6
percent of their quarterly L&I premiums to a third-party administrator
(Sedgwick Claims Management Services) to participate in both the CWSA
and the Retro Pool. This fee is in addition to the workers compensation
premium paid to L&I.
Due to the active partnership between WSAC, Sedgwick,
L&I and its members the group has received the maximum refund allowed by
the program guidelines in the last two years. WSAC issued over $337,000
in refunds in 2008, over $98,000 in 2009 and $108,000 in 2010. With
ongoing collaboration and continuing education, we expect these
excellent results to continue.
Upcoming Meetings:
No new meetings at this time.
Karlyn Shannon provides staff support to counties
involved in this Program. Karlyn can be reached by e-mail at
kshannon@wacounties.org.
|
