Case Study

Case Study #2:

How to pay 47% less on workers’ compensation premiums by lowering the X-Mod Rating

Minding the safety of temporary workers not only pays off in fewer accidents and injuries but is also one of the simplest ways to save substantially on workers’ compensation costs.

This case study documents the success of IMKO Workforce Solutions, a client/partner of Barrow Group. By decreasing their NCCI experience rating, they have lowered their average workers compensation premium by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What is an Experience Rating

The NCCI experience rating (also known as a modification factor) is the most important aspect in determining the cost of workers’ compensation insurance. The experience rating is based on an employer’s actual incurred injuries and claims and compares it to average injuries and claims by similar types of businesses.  An average experience rating is 1.00.

A mod factor greater than 1.00 is a debit mod, meaning that your losses are worse than expected and a surcharge will be added to your workers’ compensation premium.  A mod factor less than 1.00 is a credit mod meaning your losses are better than expected resulting in a discounted premium.

Through a dedicated team effort, IMKO Workforce Solutions has earned an NCCI Rating of 0.53 for 2022, which is their lowest ever!  This factor is used to adjust workers’ compensation premiums and reflects the expected loss by a company.  They are starting out with a 47% competitive advantage over the average mod rating of 1.00

Here are ten attributes that can help staffing companies save on workers’ compensation premiums:

1. Partner with an insurance broker and a carrier that specialize in the staffing industry, as well as in the industry sectors where your workers are placed.
2. Study and comply with OSHA’s Temporary Worker Initiative that set guidance for the safety and health of temporary workers.
3. Know which standards are important for evaluating clients where temporary workers are placed. This would include their orientation and safety training for associates, cleanliness of their workplace, and safeguards on equipment and machinery.
4. Staffing agencies and client companies should work together to assure the safety of workers. Outlining who will be responsible for specific safety initiatives will ensure a safer work environment and avoid “finger pointing” should an injury occur.
5. Evaluate accident history and near misses on a regular basis. Take corrective action to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.
6. Create job descriptions and document training requirements for specific positions.
7. Demonstrate consistency in hiring practices and employee screening.
8. Document post-accident procedures and develop an effective return-to-work program that helps employees successfully transition back to work following an accident or injury.
9. Compare your agency against other employment agency leaders, benchmarking performance results and consistently measuring success against KPIs.
10. Report any claims to your insurance carrier immediately. Keep detailed documentation of past claims and maintain proper claims management.

Barrow Group has helped several staffing agencies save on their premiums, but those that succeed follow “best practices” for creating a safety culture.  Staci Thornton, CFO and Co-owner of IMKO Workforce Solutions commented,

“I believe Kevin’s knowledge of our industry and the insurance industry has not only saved us thousands of dollars but helped us become a better, more competitive, staffing company.  He is always available and willing to go above our expectations.  He is a great communicator and has become a trusted associate.”