Tips to Contain Workers’ Compensation Costs in the State of Washington

Most employers like to save money when they can, and thanks to the Employers’ Guide to Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Washington State, a resource that Simply Research subscribers have access to, employers have some tips for what to do keep costs down when it comes to workers' compensation.

Here are some of those tips.

Use the Online Claim and Account Center (CAC)

The CAC allows employers to see information as soon as it comes into the claim file. By staying current, employers can respond quickly to new information. Employers can follow claims, access their account, and find more information at Lni.wa.gov/ClaimInfo.

Go Paperless

Online correspondence means no envelopes to open, no letters to sort, and nothing to shred — saving time and resources. Quickly filter down to messages where action is required, search by keyword such as “claim allowed,” sort by injured worker name, and even respond by secure message with a single click.
Find more information and sign up at Lni.wa.gov/eCorr.

Stay in Touch with Employees

Call the employee right away to share concern about the injury. Do what is possible to get
them back to work as soon as possible.

Provide Light-Duty Work

The health care provider may limit work activities or reduce the number of hours the employee
can work during recovery. Offering light-duty within those restrictions will get the employee
back to work faster and reduce claim costs. For help in developing light-duty work, contact a
Return-to-Work Specialist at a local L&I office. L&I’s Stay at Work Program is a financial incentive
program that encourages employers to bring their injured workers quickly and safely back to medically approved light duty or transitional work by reimbursing them for a portion of their costs. This best practice can help the worker recover faster and reduce costs for employers. Eligible employers may be reimbursed for 50% of the base wages they pay to the injured worker and for some of the cost of training, tools or clothing the worker will need to do the light-duty or transitional work.

Why consider Stay at Work?

(1) It may reduce claim costs.

(2) It helps injured workers recover.

(3) It can help retain valuable employees.

(4) It increases workplace morale.

Learn more at Lni.wa.gov/StayAtWork or call 1-866-406-2482.

L&I’s Early Return to Work Program

The Early Return to Work (ERTW) Program encourages return to work options much earlier in the claims process, to everyone’s benefit. And if an employer is able to create a light-duty job for the still-recovering
workers, the Stay at Work Program could reimburse the employer for half the wages and some related expenses.

Keep The Employee on Salary (KOS)

Employers can choose to pay the full amount of usual wages and benefits to an employee while they are off work due to the injury. When an employer uses KOS, L&I doesn’t pay time-loss benefits. KOS will not prevent a ruling of Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), which will impact an employer's rates similarly to time loss. To find out if KOS will benefit a company, employers can contact an account manager or Risk Management Consultant. They will review the employer's claim history and premiums and discuss how KOS can affect the employer's future rates.

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