Marc Ring, Author at ABILITY GROUP | Workers Compensation, Health & Safety Specialists

Significant NSW icare Changes

by Marc Ring | Aug 16, 2016 | Reforms, Workers Compensation

Let's talk Change icare’s latest announcement regarding the ongoing NSW workers compensation reforms hit the market earlier today. icare’s latest changes take effect in 2017 and will impact how businesses, and brokers, approach workers compensation in NSW. icare is “moving closer to our customers, putting their needs at the centre of everything we do”. The latest changes will transform workers compensation insurance in NSW by controlling how businesses (customers) buy and renew their policies via a new online portal.

We have already heard significant speculation regarding what these changes mean and how the industry will evolve as result. So what do these changes mean and therefore what can our clients and brokers expect?

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Merit Review Challenges

by Marc Ring | Aug 8, 2016 | Uncategorized

iCare Merit Review All workers compensation merit reviews issued by icare are potentially subject to administrative law judicial review in the NSW Supreme Court. In this process, a party may seek orders that a decision should be set aside and sent back to icare for a revised decision to be made. Whenever a challenge is finalised and irrespective of the outcome, an assessment is undertaken to consider the impact of the judicial review decision and includes the potential impact of the finalised challenge on the dispute, functions of the Merit Review Service and the scheme more broadly. Of the thousands of applications for workers compensation merit review that have been finalised by icare, there has only been one Administrative Law challenge decided by the NSW Supreme Court.

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Guidelines For Claiming Workers Compensation

by Marc Ring | Jul 22, 2016 | Claim management, Injured Worker, Workers Compensation

SIRA Guidelines The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) is the NSW government organisation responsible for regulating and administering the NSW workers compensation system. On the 10 July 2016, SIRA undertook a number of information sessions to introduce the SIRA “Guidelines for Claiming Worker’s Compensation”. These guides have been implemented to support workers, employers, insurers and other stakeholders in the process of claiming workers compensation. These new SIRA guidelines will come into effect from the 1 August 2016 and include such items as removing the need for the injured worker’s DOB, changes to claim decisions, removal of pre-approval for certain items and more.

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Does Workplace Rehabilitation Work

by Marc Ring | Jul 21, 2016 | Rehabilitation, Workers Compensation

Does Rehab Work Following disappointing previous experiences, we tend to get asked “Does workplace rehabilitation actually work?” Like most things when managed professionally, rehab will accelerate return to work (RTW) and help minimise people, financial and business impacts. Workplace rehabilitation providers are allied health professionals that are accredited to deliver workplace rehabilitation services to help injured workers return to work in a safe and sustainable manner. Unfortunately not all rehab providers and their consultants are created equally. We are very proud that HEALTH ABILITY has a 100% RTW Rate and actively contributing to sustainable RTW of our client and broker’s clients injured workers. To find out more about rehab and it being free for NSW businesses click through…

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Tips For Talking About Safety

by Marc Ring | Jul 18, 2016 | Work Health & Safety, Workplace safety

Raising a workplace safety concern with your boss can sometimes seem like a daunting prospect. Not doing so, however, can mean a dangerous incident goes unresolved, potentially injuring you or your co-workers. It could be something like a machine that is missing protective guards, dangerous movement of plant, poor housekeeping presenting trip hazards or speaking up if you see someone being bullied. Alternatively you might feel your training for a particular task was inadequate or you need more help to do a job safely. Whatever the issue, it is important to remember everyone has a right to work in a fair, just and safe workplace. Employers are obligated (as far as is reasonably practicable) to provide such an environment. Read more for tips on how to talk about safety.