February 2018 - SafeMT.com

Welcome Customer Service QA Specialist/ Underwriter 1

Posted on February 28, 2018May 12, 2021 by safemt2020

Congratulations to Deb Brotherton for her promotion to Customer Service QA Specialist/ Underwriter 1. Deb has 26 years of underwriting experience, both with MSF and other workers’ compensation carriers. She has served in the quality assurance role for 4 years, assisting our Customer Service Specialists with a variety of technical questions and issues. In her new role, Deb will join the underwriting team and report directly to Suzie Shute. She will also continue to ensure the quality of services provided to customers and agents by our customer service specialists. Please join us in congratulating Deb on her promotion.

New Business Submissions

Posted on February 28, 2018May 12, 2021 by safemt2020

It’s that time of year again. Your service team is preparing to receive your July renewal and new business submissions. We will begin to accept July 1, 2018 new business quotes starting March 1, 2018. Your Customer Service Specialist can assist with any questions you have regarding the July renewal season.

MSF CIO Gives Context to PBRI Project and Its Guiding Principles

Posted on February 28, 2018May 12, 2021 by safemt2020

We asked Al Parisian, CIO and PBRI project sponsor, to discuss the PBRI Project and its Guiding Principles; he puts these into context: “Montana State Fund’s current policy system (PHS) was implemented in 1997, and it has served the business well. But it is an old-technology policy system designed for simpler times, and it is generally just a policy system. Today our customers team developed a set of guiding principles. These Guiding Principles are guideposts to ensure that our daily decisions and actions do serve the long term success of policyholders and employees … that employers will have useful insurance options and our employees’ skills will stay current far into the future. With such a long-term project and long-range implications, our Guiding Principles Compass is an important constant reminder to us to keep all 360 degrees of our principles in mind with every decision we make. “Together, we are building a platform that leverages our competitive advantage today and allows us to maintain it going forward. Our customers will enjoy better and easier to use insurance products, dealing with the best informed insurance staff possible. And we are doing this in the context of MSF’s own Mission, Vision, and Guiding Values. “I want every employee and customer to know that whatever the future holds for MSF and the Montana Workers’ Compensation marketplace, PBRI will give MSF the tools to deliver the best service on current products with well-equipped employees.”

Industry Research Leads the Way to Innovation

Posted on February 28, 2018May 12, 2021 by safemt2020

“Our purpose is to find ways that make life easier for MSF staff, enhance the ease of doing business for MSF business partners, and create a ‘wow’ factor in the customer experience for policyholders,” says Theresa Bonin, lead analyst for Industry Research. “Any time an organization experiences a major change, there’s a great opportunity to pull up and take a look at how we’re doing business and why we’re doing things the way that we are. MSF wants to be a differentiator in the marketplace and putting a new system in place, like the new Policy and Billing system, creates the perfect opportunity to be innovative” says Bonin. The words ‘best practices’, ‘industry best practices’, and ‘industry research’ have been resonating around the PBRI project office for a while. Bonin clarifies this effort: “what we’re doing is “Industry Research”. In essence, it means that we get to understand what other carriers are doing and introduce what makes sense for MSF. Our research helps MSF to choose and adopt more widely accepted business processes that are a best fit for the organization. Using the platform created by the new policy and billing system, improved business processes are a leverage to enhance MSF’s customer experience, at the same time making life easier for MSF staff.” Currently there are 10 key focus areas that have been identified for industry research but Bonin is calling for more “No one knows the customer better than the front line staff. If you have ever wondered why you are doing something, keep hearing customers complain about a certain process, or have an idea on how to do something more efficiently and effectively – please don’t be shy…come share your thoughts.” Simply put, the way that this process works is as follows:

A Research Request is registered.
A set of questions is established.
Industry research is conducted by talking to industry contacts, review what other workers’ compensation carriers (peer and national) are doing in the marketplace, Agency Partner Council members (APC), and industry analysts.
Information and feedback is collected and analyzed.
Recommendations, based on ‘best fit’ to MSF and the new policy billing system, are presented to the PBRI Executive Sponsors. ‘Best fit’ is a balancing act between doing business more efficiently, more effectively, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
When a recommendation is accepted, it is moved to the implementation team to build out the guidelines and procedures to operationalize the recommendation.

Therese Bonin can be contacted at tbonin@mt.gov.

Save the Date: Spring Producer Trainings

Posted on February 28, 2018May 12, 2021 by safemt2020

Montana State Fund invites you to attend our next producer training class. For your convenience, we have scheduled classes in Billings, Missoula and Helena. We have updated the curriculum. It will continue to provide the most up-to-date information about workers’ compensation coverage, but with a refreshed approach. All new agents are required to attend a producer training before they can begin writing business for MSF. However, anyone can attend to refresh their workers’ compensation knowledge and skills. Producer Training Sessions Helena – April 19, 2018 Missoula – April 24, 2018 Billings – May 3, 2018 To sign up, please go to the Montana State Fund agent portal. *Training begins at 10 in the morning and continues until 3:30 pm and lunch will be provided. This training is approved for 5 continuing educational credits. More Advanced Training Coming Soon Our team is also developing a more advanced elective training curriculum. This training will target agents that have been in the industry for a few years. It will focus on more advanced technical topics and naturally build on the skills that you learned in your initial producer training. Training dates and locations will be announced as soon as the training is available.

Updated Agent Locator

Posted on February 28, 2018May 12, 2021 by safemt2020

We have updated the Agent locator on the MSF Portal. This is a place where potential policyholders, and current policyholders, can go and view appointed agencies within MSF. All addresses should be correct, and all agencies are listed in alphabetical order. We have laid out the page in three columns so more names can be visible at first glance. We have also attached a link to the agencies websites for easier access to company info. You can view the Agent Locator by clicking on “I am an Agent” in the drop down. Then Click: “Agent Resources” Under Agent Tools, you will find the locator. You can view agencies by city. If you have any questions, please reach out to the MSF Marketing Department.

Revised ‘Producer of Record’ (POR) letter

Posted on February 28, 2018May 12, 2021 by safemt2020

We have made a minor change to the POR letter. At times the signature is illegible, and our CSS’s are unable to read the owners name. The new revision adds a line after the existing signature to also print their name. Please update your documents to have the new POR letter on file. This new form, approved by the Montana State Auditor’s Office, will replace the old form which will no longer be in use. Please download the new POR Letter and save it for your records. You can also access the letter on our agent portal under documents and forms. Thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions, please contact your Marketing Department.

2017 Special Session Recap

Posted on February 28, 2018May 12, 2021 by safemt2020

In November 2017, Governor Bullock called a special session of the Montana legislature to address a large budget shortfall caused by declining revenues and a historic fire season. In his proclamation, the Governor outlined several proposals to address those budget issues. One of those proposals became Senate Bill 4 (SB4), an act providing for a 3% management rate on certain portfolios managed by the Board of Investments (BOI). The criteria applied only to accounts with an average asset balance in excess of $1B and the average asset balance must have contained sufficient funds to offset all liabilities as determined by the most recent actuarial study. Montana State Fund’s (MSF) asset portfolio is the only portfolio managed by BOI that met the required criteria, resulting in a $30M fee being assessed on MSF’s policyholder equity. That fee will be payable in two payments—approximately $15M in 2018 and $15M in 2019. MSF initially challenged the legality of SB4, filing a complaint in District Court the day after passage. The MSF Board of Directors later reconsidered the action and withdrew the complaint citing concern of the optics surrounding the challenge and expressing a desire to work with the legislature and elected officials. Following the dismissal of the MSF complaint, a group of policyholders filed a complaint for declaratory judgment in the 20^th Judicial District Court in Polson. The policyholder complaint seeks to invalidate SB4 based primarily on constitutional grounds. AS IT PERTAINS TO MSF POLICYHOLDERS SB4 mandates that MSF cannot consider the assessed management fees when determining the rates charged to policyholders or in declaring a dividend. By law, dividends cannot be guaranteed. They are the result of strong financial performance, the board of directors’ discretion, and each policyholder’s safety record. Dividends may still fluctuate based on other factors, such as the safety experience of a specific organization but cannot consider the impact of SB4. Since 1999, MSF has returned more than $216M to policyholders through our dividend program. Doing so allows MSF to incentivize safety in the workplace. The $40 million dividend declared and paid in 2017 was a 28% return of premium to those 23,000 policies receiving the dividend. MSF’s dividend program remains unchanged and MSF remains a financially strong organization despite the passage of SB4. QUESTIONS? If you or any of your policyholders have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact the MSF legal department at (406) 495-5201 or kgowen@montanastatefund.com.

Save the Date: MSF Medical Conference

Posted on February 14, 2018May 13, 2021 by safemt2020

Evidence-Based Medicine: New Opportunities to Improve Outcomes is the theme for this year’s annual Montana State Fund medical conference. The one-and-a-half day event will take place at Helena’s Radisson Colonial Hotel, May 31 – June 1, 2018.

Medical, pharmacy, claims and legal professionals are encouraged to attend.

Topics include:

Lumbar Fusion in Workers’ Compensation
Hot Clinical Topics: CRPS, PTSD, Concussion
The Ethical Dilemma: Patient Advocacy and Medical Science
Epidemiology in the Courtroom
ODG Guidelines
Orthopaedic Updates of Interest
Causation Utilizing Evidence-Based Medicine
AMA Guides
Current Topics in the Worker’s Compensation Court

To learn more about the conference go to montanastatefund.com or contact MSF Provider Relations Specialist, Shannon Hadley, at 406-495- 5245.

Champion Your Safety Program

Posted on February 13, 2018May 13, 2021 by safemt2020

You might not think a group of actors would be concerned about safety, but at Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT), safety takes center stage.

According to Amy Ellis, MCT tour production director, it takes many people, many hours to make what they do as successful as it is. They are always looking for ways to make it better, it’s the same way for their safety program.

This type of mindset, and respect for employee safety, inspired this organization to be a part of Montana State Fund’s WorkSafe Champion program.

What is WorkSafe Champions?
WorkSafe Champions is a safety education program offered to our policyholders at no charge. Over the course of a year, participants will learn about workers’ compensation, how to motivate and train employees, manage an incident, more effectively return an injured employee to work, and much more.

Participants can train at a centralized location or our safety management consultants can come to a business location.

Are you up to the challenge? We are currently accepting applications. For more information please contact Kirk Smith at 406-495-5361 or Keri Maes at 406-495-5265.

To learn more about the Missoula Children’s Theater’s safety program view this video.

Recognizing Safety Through Charitable Giving

Posted on February 12, 2018May 13, 2021 by safemt2020

As a working partner with businesses and their employees, independent insurance agents, medical providers and others throughout Montana, we believe it is our duty to support deserving projects that promote workplace safety and enhance the quality of life in our local communities. One such program is our Assisting Charitable Endeavors (ACE) grant program.

WHAT IS ACE? ACE was created to support civic goodwill and enhance the success of selected worthwhile causes in Montana. These grants are available to Montana non-profit organizations that contribute to both safety and community wellbeing throughout the state. In 2017, we awarded 17 ACE projects totaling nearly $27,000. All ACE grants require a dollar-for-dollar match.

How to Apply? Do you know of a non-profit organization in your community that would benefit from ACE help? ACE requests must be submitted on an MSF application form. To learn more about the ACE grant, or to apply, go to our website montanastatefund.com.

If you have questions about the program contact Carol Athearn or call (406) 495-5105.

Jump Start Your Safety Program: Free Safety Workshops

Posted on February 11, 2018May 13, 2021 by safemt2020

Join Montana State Fund for our March safety workshop, Jump Start Your Safety Program. This half-day training will give you a mix of new and steadfast approaches to safety that will continue to help you protect your employees and reinvigorate your safety efforts.

Topics include
We Have Your Back: The spine is the foundation for all physical movement. Yet, we mistreat it, abuse it, or just take it for granted until we injure it. Back injuries can have an astounding effect on both an injured employee and the workers’ compensation system. During this segment of the workshop, we will review the unique aspects of the human spine and the steps you can take to protect your employees’ backs.

A Safety Climate Measuring Tool: During our June 2017 workshop, we introduced the concept of measuring your organization’s safety and health efforts by evaluating the impact of those efforts on your safety climate. In this session, we will take this subject that much further and introduce you to a safety climate measurement tool that you may consider using to quantify your safety efforts.

Humanizing Your Safety Efforts: We put safety and health programs in place. We train our employees to safely do the right things, but are these approaches enough? In this section, we will dig deeper and explore the psychological aspects of safety. We will discuss the concepts championed by psychologist Dr. Robert Long and motivational speaker Cort Dial who offer fresh ideas to humanize your approach to risk management and safety at your organization.

Dates and Locations
March 2: Helena – Holiday Inn Express
March 7: Bozeman – Holiday Inn
March 8: Butte – La Quinta Inn
March 9: Great Falls – Holiday Inn
March 14: Glasgow (New City Location)–Cottonwood Inn
March 15: Miles City – Sleep Inn & Suites
March 16: Billings – Hampton Inn
March 22: Kalispell – Hampton Inn
March 23: Missoula – Best Western Grant Creek Inn

Interested? Register Now. The free trainings take place from 8:30 am – Noon. If you have questions, call 800-332-6102 extension 5361 (Kirk Smith).

Growing A Safer Workforce: New Scholarship Program

Posted on February 10, 2018May 13, 2021 by safemt2020

You could say that Kyla Biggs was one person who found her career calling early in life.

“Welding has always intrigued me. From my perspective, I have always felt that welding is an art form just as much as it is a skill. I started welding in seventh grade in FFA (Future Farmers of America) competitions and fell in love with it!”

Since that time Kyla honed her skills at Belgrade High School and enrolled in the welding program at Gallatin College (Montana State University) in Bozeman. And, her educational pursuit is paying off.

Recently she and nine other college students studying Occupational Safety and Health/Industrial Hygiene or Construction Trade and Industry received a $1,500 academic scholarship through Montana State Fund’s new Growing a Safer Montana initiative.

One component of the Growing a Safer Montana program is awarding scholarships to students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated a desire to champion safety as they move into their professional endeavors.

“Montana State Fund is proud to distribute these scholarships to local students in an effort to improve Montana’s safety culture,” said MSF President/CEO, Laurence Hubbard. “It is our sincere hope that every student, not just those who received the scholarship, becomes aware of the issues facing Montanans in the workplace.”

Hubbard goes on to say that this effort will require buy-in from workers of all ages and across all industries. Our goal is to plant the seeds of safety today to grow a safer Montana for generations to come.

For Kyla, the seed has been planted.

“Being a face in the workforce of Montana, I hope that I can be a positive influence for other blue collar workers in the industry. I hope that I can always remind everyone I work and come into contact with, to stay safe in a working environment.”

Our other 2018 Growing a Safer Montana recipients include

Montana Tech (Occupational Safety and Health Students)

Brittania Shephard
Ciara Kremer
Jacques Boulet
James Hollopeter
Sarah Storey
Tyler Davis

Highlands College – Montana Tech (Welding Student)

Jake Bloom

Gallatin College -Montana State University (Welding Students)

Kyla Biggs
Shelsey Schott
Taylor Gallagher

Our 2019 scholarship application will be available this fall. If you have questions please contact Montana State Fund’s Safety Services Team at stfgsm@mt.gov.