Reforms Archives - Page 3 of 4 - ABILITY GROUP | Workers Compensation, Health & Safety Specialists

icare Reform Update

by Marc Ring | Oct 26, 2016 | Reforms, Workers Compensation

In August 2016, our Significant NSW icare Changes article outlined the latest NSW workers compensation changes taking effect in 2017. icare (previously WorkCover NSW) will directly administer policy and billing for the NSW workers compensation scheme. Details since the original announcement have been sparse however we understand NSW businesses will be able to use either an online portal, icare Customer Support Centre or Service NSW to provide wage declarations, make premium related payments and related matters. Many businesses are concerned with the service they will receive following the change, however we see these changes as exciting. At ABILITY GROUP will continue to actively support our clients and brokers with personalise and responsive service.

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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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No Rate Changes, But LPR Replaces RPL

by Marc Ring | Jun 24, 2016 | Consulting, Premium, Reforms, Workers Compensation

In the last 12 months, the NSW workers compensation industry has experienced dramatic change. As we approach 30 June 2016, it should be relieving for businesses to know that for there are no changes for workers compensation WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC) rates. As 2016/17 rates for NSW Workers Compensation apply to all renewals that fall due at 4pm on 30th June 2016, businesses and brokers will now be receiving renewal notices for these policies without fear of rate driven increases.

For large employers, icare however announced changes to the Retro Paid Loss (RPL) model by introducing Loss Prevention & Recovery (LPR) scheme as the replacement. LPR is progressively moving closer to providing pricing similar to that of insurers in privately underwritten schemes. This is an important change for large business.

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Health Ability 100% RTW Rate

by Marc Ring | Jan 18, 2016 | Claim costs, Claim management, Injured Worker, Premium, Reforms, Rehabilitation, Workers Compensation

The main focus of the workers compensation is to enable injured workers to stay at work or return to work following a work related injury. Workplace rehabilitation plays an important role by involving timely intervention with appropriate and adequate service based needs to assist injured workers back into the workplace. We are pleased to say our specialist rehab business HEALTH ABILITY has a 100% return to work rate and can support businesses.

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Ability Group Success Client Saves More Than Money

by Marc Ring | Jan 14, 2016 | Appeal, Claim costs, Claim management, Consulting, Premium, Reforms, Workers Compensation

ABILITY GROUP were contacted by a broker who had a client distressed about their significant increase in premium due to the impact of the new premium formula. The client had a material claim during their 3 years of experience. Given their industry the Christmas period is crucial for financial viability and having to pay the higher premium could have had a dire consequence.

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icare Reform Update

by Marc Ring | Jan 8, 2016 | Claim costs, Claim management, Injured Worker, Premium, Reforms, Workers Compensation

On the 4th of December 2015, icare (previously known as WorkCover NSW) announced further changes as a component of the NSW government ongoing NSW workers compensation reforms.

The latest reforms include benefit changes to injured employees in need of the highest benefits being those with a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) of >30%. In addition to this there were several other as well as additional changes.

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