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Hester
Evaluation Systems, Inc.
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Workers Compensation Cost-Containment Programming
There is hardly an employer who isn't keenly aware of the potentially crippling costs of workers' compensation. For many companies, the cost of workers' compensation is beginning to take a considerable bite out of
their profitability. However, the rising costs of workers' compensation can be kept from escalating and dramatically reduced. In fact, many employers have found they can cut these costs by half or more. This
kind of cost containment cannot be done by one individual in the organization or by changing one or two practices. Dr. Hester and associates developed a comprehensive 12-step program to contain workers' compensation
costs. A unique feature of this program is that it is essentially developed and implemented by the employer. A
Hester Consulting Group staff person serves as a facilitator to work on a periodic basis with an assigned group of
managers. This means that the managers are part of the decision-making process, rather than feel the changes are being forced on them. This system allows the organization to make the necessary changes at its own
pace and within its own constraints. Normally, the employer will begin to see reduced costs in just a few months, and the savings already achieved can pay for any additional one-time costs.
Job Modifications and Accommodations
Most injured employees do not require any special accommodations to return to work, but sometimes are needed or suggested. In such a case, prior to returning such a person to work,
Hester Consulting Group will review the job to be
performed and the employee's residual abilities. In most cases we will be able to suggest a reasonable accommodation. Also, employers can have us review accommodations suggested by an applicant or employee, if the
employer feels the suggested accommodation is unreasonable.
Hester Consulting Group will review the suggested accommodation to determine if there is a more economical one. In addition to the initial cost of the potential modification,
there are two other important considerations. The first, is whether this modification will set a precedent for all workers to want similar modifications.
Hester Consulting Group staff are well aware of this potential problem and have
devised legal strategies for avoiding it. The second, is the effect employees in modified jobs can have on co-workers and supervisors. We will assist the management to meet with involved supervisors, co-workers, and
union representatives to mitigate any possible repercussions.
Light-Duty Program Development
Light-duty programs are among the most effective programs in reducing employers' costs of workers' compensation. Not only do light-duty programs allow recuperating employees to be at least partially productive, but
they also keep the employees involved with the employer and their co-workers. However, all too often light-duty consists of reducing the requirements of existing jobs rather than putting together certain tasks from
different existing jobs to form a new temporary light-duty job.
Hester Consulting Group can help employers design a series of temporary light-duty positions to meet the needs of future injured employees. However, it is not enough to
just design light-duty positions, the light-duty requirements must then be communicated to the treating physicians. We will make this possible by analyzing the job to create a job summary form to submit to the treating
physician. Our experience indicates that when the treating physicians understand the job duties and the abilities needed to perform these duties, patients are released to return to work months sooner than would otherwise
happen.
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