Dear Friends of THIE,
In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, “The best prize life has to offer is a chance to work hard at work worth doing.” As we continue to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic and the uncertainty it brings, our healthcare workers never stop their hard work. THIE is proud to support our health care facilities during this time, and always, thank you for your partnership and for trusting THIE as your insurance provider and your friend.
All the best,
Tess Frazier
President/CEO THIE
Hot Topics
The THIE management team has decided that October Hot Topics in Lubbock will be canceled this year. Although we are saddened to not be able to join together with you for education, networking, golf, and more, we feel it is our responsibility to put the health and well-being of our friends first.
We miss seeing your faces! Know that we are always just a phone call away and that you are in our prayers as you care for your communities.
Continue to stay safe.
All our best,
Tess, Liz, Ida, Angie, Ari, Dolores, Janet and the THIE Team
MED-IQ and THIE
THIE’s Risk Management team is excited to announce a partnership with Med-IQ to provide our insured physicians with specialized risk management and patient safety education.
As risk managers, we often encounter our hospitals’ risk management team, CNOs, CEOs, and human resources staff. However, we seldom meet with front-line physicians. Our new partnership with Med-IQ provides a bridge allowing us to provide information and education on relevant topics to mitigate liability.
THIE insured physicians will have access to Med-IQ courses that meet the requirements for state licensure. The on-demand virtual classroom format allows physicians to complete these courses at their convenience and at no additional cost to them or to the hospital.
For more information regarding this FREE EDUCATION, contact Angie Merrell, THIE’s Senior Risk Management Advisor (amerrell@thie.com).
Return to Work
By Arianne Stuerzel with references from TDI and the Division of Workers’ Compensation
Raise your stethoscope if you’ve ever had an employee injured on the job!
Plugin your AED Defibrillators (because those should be charged at all times, anyway) if that injury has resulted in a staff member not being able to come to work!
The ripple effect of one person not being present for a shift in a health care facility is felt by all—from staff in action to managers filling their shift to Human Resources who is handling the workers’ compensation claim and the financial obligations that go along with that claim.
To ensure that ripple doesn’t feel like a tidal wave, facilities should have in place plans known as Return to Work Programs. These plans come with huge benefits and are loved by staff, facility administrators, and insurance companies!
The Division of Workers’ Compensation has put together fantastic materials on these programs and has worked with THIE to develop presentations for our subscribers on the benefits of implementing a Return to Work Program (RWP). For more information visit tdi.texas.gov/wc or reach out to THIE at info@thie.com For a glimpse into the perks of an RWP, read on.
What it is.
A Return to Work Program is just that—a plan that works to shorten the length of time a staff member is out due to injury on the job.
The Benefits for the Employer:
- The costs associated with workers’ compensation are reduced. This happens when Temporary Income Benefits cease being paid or are reduced when an injured employee works during their recovery.
- Medical and disability costs may be lowered and recovery time may be shortened
- Decreased loss ratios help reduce insurance premiums
- Retain skilled employees and reduce staff turnover
The Benefits to the Employee:
- Recovery time may be shortened
- Loss of physical fitness due to inactivity may be averted
- Full or partial wages are earned bringing the injured employee’s income closer to pre-injury wages
- Retain job skills and eliminate concerns about continued employment
- Maintain employment-related benefits and seniority, therefore, avoiding financial difficulties
Controlling Costs:
- Reduce costs to the employer:
Early return to work reduces business costs (e.g. overtime, temporary workers) and workers’ compensation costs (e.g. increased premiums, income benefits, medical benefits). Requiring your injured employees to be 100% recovered before they can return to the workplace can delay recovery and increase costly turnover. - Reduce costs (both financial and emotional) to the employee:
Employees who return to work do not suffer the sometimes dire financial, family, and emotional consequences of unnecessary lost time, and are more able to maintain their normal lifestyle. Employees who are not at work often become inactive and require more medical care than employees who remain in the workplace, even if they are working modified duty. - Reduce fraud and malingering
Employers experience lower cost, reduced lost time, and eliminate possibilities for fraud and malingering by providing opportunities for their injured employees to continue to do productive work while they are recovering.
If you are a subscriber of THIE and would like to implement an RWP or have your current RWP reviewed, contact us today 512/451-5775.
Insurance Coverage You Deserve, From the Insurance Company You Own.