Service

Workers' compensation review for mid-market employers.

A program review that starts with the experience mod worksheet and ends with a written file the next premium audit can be defended against. Class-code accuracy, claim management discipline, and program design where the volume supports it.

What we review

The mod, the codes, and the claim file.

Experience modification

The published worksheet (NCCI or state-specific), the inclusion of small medical-only claims under the 70% rule where applicable, and the projection of the mod over the next three renewals based on current open claim development.

Class-code accuracy

The assigned classifications against the actual work performed, the governing classification, executive officer treatment, and split-payroll allocation. We document the position before the premium auditor builds it for you.

NCCI vs state-specific rating

Most states are NCCI; a handful have independent rating bureaus with their own rules and forms. Multi-state employers have to manage both. We map the program against the right rating authority for each location.

Return-to-work program

Light-duty job bank, written modified-duty offers, supervisor protocols, and the documented connection between RTW and lost-time claim duration. Where the existing program is informal, we flag the exposure and the upside.

Premium audit defense

Payroll registers segregated by class, certificates of insurance for 1099 contractors, overtime exclusion calculations, and excluded officer documentation, organized before the audit window opens.

Program design

Guaranteed cost, large deductible, retrospective rating, captive participation, and self-insurance, evaluated where the premium volume supports them. We do not recommend loss-sensitive structures for employers whose volume or volatility does not justify the risk transfer.

When this matters

Triggers that bring employers in.

• The mod jumped and the published worksheet doesn’t match what you expected.
• You’re entering or exiting a state and the rating treatment is unclear.
• A premium audit produced a six-figure additional billing.
• You’re considering a high-deductible or captive structure for the first time.
• Claim frequency has stabilized and you want to know whether the program design should follow.

FAQ

Common questions about workers' compensation.

What is the experience modification factor and why does it matter?

The experience mod compares your claim history against the average employer with the same class codes. A mod above 1.0 surcharges your premium; below 1.0 credits it. The calculation runs three years behind the current year and is published by NCCI or the state rating bureau. Small medical-only claims cost less in the formula than a single lost-time claim, which is why claim management discipline matters more than total claim count.

What goes wrong with class codes?

Class codes drive the rate. Misclassification, especially when payroll is split across multiple operations, can push premium materially in either direction. We review the assigned codes against the actual work performed, the duties statements, and the governing classification rules in your jurisdiction. Where there is overlap or ambiguity, we document the position and prepare for the premium audit.

Do I need a return-to-work program?

A documented return-to-work program with light-duty assignments shortens lost-time claims, which is what the experience mod is most sensitive to. It also reduces the litigation rate. For employers with a recurring claim pattern, an RTW program is one of the few levers that meaningfully changes the mod over a three-year window.

Should I be on a high-deductible or retro plan?

Loss-sensitive programs, including high-deductible and retrospective rating, can lower net cost where the premium volume supports them and the claim pattern is predictable. They also expose you to claim development risk, including IBNR. We model the expected and adverse cases before recommending a structure, and we do not push loss-sensitive programs onto employers whose volume or volatility does not justify the trade.

What is the premium audit, and how do I prepare?

After the policy expires, the carrier audits actual payroll, contractor payments, and class-code allocation to true up the premium. Disputes usually come down to documentation: payroll registers by class, executive officer payroll caps, certificates from subcontractors, and overtime exclusion calculations. We help build the file before the auditor arrives.

Monoline workers comp or package?

Monoline gives access to specialist carriers and state funds; package can simplify administration and sometimes saves premium where the underwriter values the whole account. The right answer is account-specific. We compare both routes when the program is large enough that the difference matters.