Workers’ compensation administration is not a payroll workflow, even though both can sit within the same PEO relationship.
Trion Solutions states that its PEO services can include workers’ compensation claims management from the first report of injury through return to work, along with national coverage and risk-management services.
The first report of injury is an operational trigger
An injury creates a new process that may involve:
- the employee;
- the immediate supervisor;
- employer management;
- HR;
- the PEO;
- claims personnel;
- medical providers or insurers;
- return-to-work coordinators.
The first task is not to debate which department “owns” the employee. The task is to activate the required reporting and care process.
Employers still need an internal escalation path
Employees and supervisors need to know:
- who receives an injury report;
- how quickly the report should be escalated;
- which information must be documented;
- who coordinates with the relevant claims process;
- how work restrictions and return-to-work issues are handled.
Trion describes risk-management and safety services as part of its workers’ compensation offering.
Why return to work belongs in the workflow map
A claim does not necessarily end when the initial report is filed.
Work restrictions, modified duties and communication among operational managers can become important. The employer needs an internal process for managing the business side while the relevant PEO and claims professionals handle their responsibilities.
The key lesson
The PEO may administer significant parts of the workers’ compensation process, but the client company still needs a practical workplace response system.
Internal Link Suggestions:
- Link to Trion Solutions and the PEO Model
- Link to Managing the End of a PEO Relationship
- Link to PEO vs Employer of Record
Sources:
- Trion PEO services
- Trion home health care workforce services