Discount Program
Premium Discount Program
In 1993 North Dakota Workers Compensation (NDWC) implemented a premium discount program that awarded efforts to implement a pre-approved risk management program. (N.D.C.C. § 65-04-19.1) In 1995 the North Dakota Legislature mandated every State agency, institution, and entity employing 25 or more full-time equivalent employees participate in that program. (N.D.C.C. § 65-04-19.2) Implementing this program provides the necessary tools to construct an effective method of promoting safety and claims management for State entities’ workers compensation exposures.
Through the Risk Management Workers Compensation Program (RMWCP), the original NDWC (now WSI) discount program has been enhanced to reward State entities with a proactive claims management/injury prevention program. The current discount potential has been set to a potential 10% discount and the RMWCP is committed to ensuring all State agencies or facilities qualify to the fullest discount possible. Qualifying for the discount should result in a reduction in the number of days an injured worker is away from work – which results in reduced claims costs. This reduction will have a positive impact on the entity’s experience rate (projection of future losses), ultimately reducing the total cost of its workers compensation premiums.
Requirements of the Risk Management Workers Compensation Discount Program. To qualify for a discount, a State entity must have a program in place that has been approved by the Risk Management Division. The program must contain the following requirements:
- Safety Policy – Prepare a statement, signed by top management, identifying the responsibilities of management and employees for ensuring a safe workplace. Review this policy with all employees on an annual basis.
- Safe Operating Procedures - Develop written guidelines for procedures and tasks involving recognized hazards.
- Annual Inspection – Conduct an annual inspection of your agency/facility workplace.
- Essential Job Functions - Develop a list of essential job functions for each job category. These lists help you properly place workers in jobs and assign injured workers to transitional duties.
- Establish a written training program through which all employees learn about general safety rules, safe operating procedures, ergonomics hazards, and claims management principles.
- Implement an effective claims management program including the designated medical provider and transitional duty as required.
- Online claim filing – Ensuring that 90% of workers compensation claims are filed on-line within 24 hours of a routine injury and immediately following a traumatic injury,
- Incident Reporting – Ensuring that 90% of Workers Compensation incidents are filed on-line with Risk Management within 24 hours of notice of injury.
- Accident Investigation and Near-Miss Program – Develop procedures for investigation of all accidents and “near misses/incident.
- Ergonomics Program – Develop an ergonomics action plan/program.
How to apply for the Discount Program. Complete and submit the RMWCP Premium Discount Application form to the Risk Management Division by June 30th of each year.
If you need any assistance in completing the application process, contact the RMWCP Manager at (701) 328-7583