Costa Mesa Workers' Comp Medical Costs Down 44%

City drives down workers' compensation medical costs by 44% through reforms

Workers' compensation medical costs for Costa Mesa
Year	Cost	Savings
FY 09/10	$1,753,178
FY 10/11	$1,613,542	8.0%
FY 11/12	$1,243,425	22.9%
FY 12/13	$980,661	21.1%

 

A comprehensive program enacted over the past three years to reduce workers’ compensation medical costs in the City of Costa Mesa has resulted in annual savings of approximately $772,000.

The 44% reduction since 2009-10 fiscal year are the result of 14 recommendations that came from workers’ compensation review that was completed in 2011 at the direction of the City Council. The recommendations focused on improvements in processing claims, technology and data tracking, and training and education.

Since then, the Human Resources Division has implemented each recommendation.

“This is local government at its best,” said City CEO Tom Hatch. “We are now operating a more efficient workers’ compensation program for our employees and saving money for taxpayers. The City Council's vision to complete the review and the Human Resources Division's efforts to implement the recommendations has led to this significant, hard-earned achievement.”

As part of the reforms, the City now:

• Retained a new third-party administrator for the workers’ compensation program.
• Handles minor medical injuries as first-aid incidents, when appropriate, to prevent them from becoming workers compensation claims. 
• Brings back, when possible, injured employees on modified or light-duty assignments to keep them engaged and productive.
• Uses nurse triage services, which allow employees and supervisors to call an injury hotline staffed with registered nurses when an injury occurs. The registered nurse who handles the call provides immediate direction to the injured employee as to the best course of medical action. The nurse also reports the injury to Human Resources immediately after phone call.
• Uses a nurse as a liaison between the injured worker and the City who also accompanies injured workers to doctor appointments. This improves efficiency of care and has proven a valuable in returning employees to work more quickly.