Ask the Experts

Michael Clark
President
Delta Dental of Ohio
(800) 524-0149
www.deltadentaloh.com

 

Q. Why should Ohio businesses reconsider cutting costs by not providing employees with dental benefits?

A. Poor or neglected dental health can contribute to severe medical issues such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Providing dental benefits to employees increases the likelihood that they will take advantage of preventive treatments. That means catching dental problems and other potentially life-threatening diseases early — before they turn into serious illnesses that require emergency room visits and expensive treatments. In addition, a National Association of Dental Plans study showed that dental plans rate as the third most important employee benefit, just behind health insurance and retirement.

Jennifer Pillitiere
Director of Operations
Benefits 1 Group
(877) 765-4200
www.benefits1group.com

Q. How Do I Choose a Third party administrator?

A: To find the best workers’ compensation TPA ask questions, check references and keep up with current laws and regulations.

Inquire about: the full spectrum of services; group rating; an integrated, team approach; risk-management; loss prevention; case management; timely reporting; return-to-work services; merger and acquisition analysis and legal representation. Find the TPA services that best fit your needs with a partner you can trust.

Ben Herndon
Director of Sales and Marketing
Employers Choice Plus
(513) 755-7719
www.echoiceplus.com

Q. How can I lower my Ohio workers' compensation rates and premiums?

A. An experienced third party administrator can design a solution to include a 15k medical management program. This allows the employer to pay its choice of medical claims up to $15,000, apply for handicap reimbursements and offer group rating discounts up to 77 percent (effective July 1, 2009). If you need immediate savings, look for a TPA that is also a qualified professional employer organization. A QPE can immediately offer deeply discounted BWC group rates — sometimes even if your company is penalty-rated. Ask them to provide a no-cost analysis.

Dave Kiley
Executive Vice President
Matrix Companies
(877) 550-7973
www.mtrxinc.com

Q. What should I look for in a group rating plan?

A. All group rating plans are not created equal. Although the premium discounts are very valuable to businesses, aggressive claims management is even more important for future premium control. With group discount levels being decreased by the Ohio BWC, proactive loss control is the key in combating rising premiums. Without a focus on claims management, businesses could find themselves ineligible for subsequent year group plans and get stuck paying increased premiums. Partner with a TPA who not only provides a group discount, but also backs it up with superior claims management.

Angie Wright
Vice President
Sheakley Group of Companies
(800) 877-2053
www.sheakley.com

Q. What qualities should I look for in a third party administrator?

A. You need a TPA that understands your business and can work as your advocate with the Ohio BWC, help guide you through the classification process and advise you on the various programs available to maximize your premium savings.