|
Since 2001, PMA has handled the workers' compensation for Clemens Family
Markets, which currently has about 26 locations primarily in the
Philadelphia area. The grocery chain vows as part of its mission to
treat not only customers, but employees and suppliers as they personally
would like to be treated. And it shows.
Safety in a High- Frequency Industry
Protecting employees from workplace injuries
is a top priority at Clemens. Working together with PMA's Risk Control
Consultant Bob Bonomo, they have a strong risk control program.
Nonetheless, claims are inevitable.
"Typical losses include back and rotator
cuff injuries due to lifting, pulling, and pushing products," said Mike
Sharkey, Claims Service Manager for PMA. "Clemens also sees finger and
hand lacerations from their deli operations and some slips and falls
that result in injuries to the back or lower extremities."
Using the Medical Cost Containment Program Pays Off
Clemens takes positive steps to lower their
costs by maximizing PMA's Medical Cost Containment programs. The Markets
focus on transitioning injured/ill employees back into the workplace via
an excellent return-to-work (RTW) program. Additionally, since 2001,
Clemens has experienced a managed care savings of $1.6 million off $2.9
million in medical charges. This is a 57 percent savings achieved
through PMA's comprehensive Medical Cost Containment program, much of
which can be attributed to their injured workers' consistent use of
PMA's Preferred Provider Network (PPN) and PMA's competitive medical
bill review program. Clemens current PPN penetration rate is 65 percent,
an increase from 44 percent in its first policy year with PMA.
Timely Claims Reporting & Regular
Communication Make a Difference
Timely claims reporting has also helped
Clemens lower its insurance costs. "Their four-year average to report
claims is 1.2 days, and 96 percent of all claims are reported within
three days," said Sharkey. "In fact, the current policy is averaging a
0.7 day reporting time, and 98 percent of claims are reported within
three days."
"One of the strategies that helped us
achieve these results is a charge back of $5,000 to each location for
every claim reported beyond three days," said Wendy Fonda, Director of
Human Resources for Clemens. "This charge back is an excellent incentive
for the individual locations to report claims in a timely manner. Stores
with the lowest number of claims per quarter are rewarded. Our employees
understand the importance of these issues."
"PMA has a solid reputation and we've always had success together. Their
team is always there to work with us," said Steve Macauley, Vice
President of HRH, the workers' compensation broker for Clemens.
"Together with PMA and HRH, we've
implemented a solid workers' compensation program," said Fonda.
Results of Clemens/ PMA Partnership
-
Managed care savings of $1.6 million off
$2.9 million in medical charges - representing a 57% savings
-
Four-year average claim reporting time is
1.2 days
-
98% of all claims now reported within 3 days
|