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Insurance Matters December 2008
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INSURANCE MATTERS
A Newsletter for Members of the CCAP Insurance Programs
Owned by Members, Governed by Members, Service to Members
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December 2008 |
Volume 12, Issue 12 | |
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Specialty Lines |
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Reading the articles from around the state about county 2009 budgets has been painful. I am sure the process has been difficult for you. I continue to be amazed at the complexity of county budgets, and the frustration you all must face dealing with programs and services that others tell you how to do, but for which the proper funding is not provided.
One area I see mentioned in many of the articles is the issue of curtailing training and travel. I worry that this is often a too easy and too quick decision. Now, I will admit to a certain bias here, as part of what we do here at CCAP is provide training! But my concern is rooted in risk management. The training we provide concerns essential information to provide a safe working environment for you and your employees, and for the public, and to manage the risks of operating a county or county related entity. Most of our workshops and seminars are free. The only cost is getting your folks there. Hence my concern about travel being curtailed.
There is an old warning about being "penny wise and pound foolish." The Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms defines this as "unwise because doing something now would prevent much more trouble later." It is easy to focus on one year at a time, and getting through one budget cycle, and forget the longer view. I submit that keeping you and your employees sharp, aware of the best practices, and focused on how to do things the right way is a great investment of time (and a little money). And the benefits are long term.
And, just to add a sweetener, remember that for PCoRP and PComp members, and now for UC Trust members too (more information coming on that), attendance by you or your staff earns you a premium reduction. So limiting or eliminating attendance at our risk management training will cost you money.
Lastly, as we turn to the end of the year and the holiday season, allow me to wish you and yours time together to enjoy all the gifts you have been given. And let me thank you for the opportunity to work with you. Your commitment to county government and service to the public is inspiring.
Make sure you call us when you need help with something,
John Sallade
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Preventing and Reporting Fraud |
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Workers' compensation fraud is the fastest growing segment of insurance fraud in the U.S. with costs to the industry at a reported $5 billion annually. Fraudulent claims range from exaggerated to fake injuries, as well as injuries related to drug or alcohol use and injuries that weren't even suffered on the job. Ultimately, this is theft and putting an end to it benefits all county employees.
Embezzlement of funds cost counties money, and often is preventable when employees realize something inappropriate is going on. Maybe an employee has lots more money than normal, or makes big ticket purchases. They may have legitimately come into some money, but if they have responsibility for managing any of the county's money, there could be a problem. While they do not happen often, the average embezzlement costs a county more than $100,000 and could happen over a period of years.
PComp and PCoRP Members: Our Fight Against Fraud
Help rid your workplace of the theft of work comp fraud by anonymously reporting suspected abuse. PCoRP and PComp have set up a special reporting line. This toll free call is answered by a specialist that will not ask your name or involve you in any way.
To anonymously report workers' compensation fraud or embezzlement:
Call (800) 716-3066
Provide the hotline code N637L
For more information contact the CCAP Loss Control Department at (800) 895-9039; or email us at:
Bruce Mitchell, Loss Control Services Manager; bmitchel@pacounties.org
Gary Nicholson, Senior Loss Control Specialist; gnicholson@pacounties.org
Greg Cunningham, Loss Control Specialist gcunningham@pacounties.org
Bob Lauzonis, Loss Control Specialist; blauzonis@pacounties.org
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IRS Releases 2009 Retirement Plan Contribution And Compensation Limits |
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By Julia Jackson, Exmployee Benefits Program Manager
The 2009 elective deferral maximum limit for governmental 457(b) plans as well as for 401(k) and 403(b) plans, including the Age 50 catch-up limit, have increased.
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2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
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457(b) Elective Deferral Limit |
$16,500 |
$15,500 |
$15,500 |
$15,000 |
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401(k) / 403(b) Elective Deferral Limit |
$16,500 |
$15,500 |
$15,500 |
$15,000 |
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Age 50 Catch-up Limit for 401(k) / 403(b) and 457(b) Governmental Plans |
$5,500 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
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Defined Contribution per Participant Plan Limit |
$49,000 |
$46,000 |
$45,000 |
$44,000 |
Source: http://www.irs.gov/retirement/article/0,,id=96461,00.html
If you would like additional information please contact Julia Jackson, Employee Benefits Program Manager, or call (800) 895-9039 x 3304.
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U.S. Communities & Responsible Purchasing Network Partner to Pomote Green Products On Cooperative Contracts |
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By Connie Kuranko, Director, U.S. Communities Going Green Program
What do you get when you combine aggregated influences of over 87,000 buyers with Responsible Purchasing Network's green purchasing programs? A powerful new resource for finding and buying credible green products through competitively solicited contracts.
The Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) is the expert in green purchasing. Their step by step resources narrow the complicated field of green procurement and take the guesswork out of effectively implementing environmental policies at your organization, community, company or office. RPN compiles resources from the leaders in the green purchasing world and gives its users access to cutting edge research, industry experts, peers and a team of consultants.
U.S. Communities provides a national purchasing forum for local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education and nonprofits nationwide by pooling the purchasing power of over 87,000 public agencies. These buyers are eligible to utilize seventeen contracts facilitated by U.S. Communities and solicited by a lead public agency. The League of California Cities is a sponsor of U.S. Communities. In its mission to continue to bring benefits to its participants, U.S. Communities established the Going Green program in 2006 to assist local agencies with their sustainability goals. To find out more about the sustainability solutions U.S. Communities offers, visit www.gogreencommunities.org.
U.S. Communities is excited to partner with RPN to identify and promote the products on the U.S. Communities contracts that meet independent, third-party green standards such as those certified by GreenSeal, EcoLogo or EPEAT. The new partnership will kick off the program by identifying the GreenSeal certified cleaning products available through U.S. Communities with Zep Superior Solutions. Once the program is in place, RPN members will be able to search green products through RPN's database and quickly identify which cleaning products are available on the Zep contract, download the contract, and request contact from a sales rep to set up an account. It'll be that easy!
To celebrate this powerful new green partnership, RPN will be revising, updating and expanding their popular Responsible Purchasing Guide for Cleaners. Stay tuned for updates about how to find Zep's GreenSeal-certified cleaning products and access the U.S. Communities group contract via the RPN website. To learn more about Responsible Purchasing Network, visit www.responsiblepurchasing.org. In the meantime, find green products available through U.S. Communities via our online product search functionality at our website.
For more information on the U.S. Communities program, email Julia Jackson, Employee Benefit Programs Manager,or call (800) 895-9039. Additional information is also available online at www.uscommunities.org.
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CCAP UC Trust Election Results:
Incumbents Re-elected |
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By Julia Jackson, Employee Benefits Program Manager
Two positions were up for election/reelection on the CCAP UC Trust Board of Trustees - 6th Class Representative and At Large Representative.A request for nominations was sent to all CCAP UC Trust members in October, and nominations were due by Friday, November 14. The current incumbents, Somerset County Commissioner Jim Marker and Bradford County Chief Clerk Gayle Kershner, were uncontested in the nomination processes; therefore, an election was not necessary.
We are pleased to announce the re-election of:
Gayle Kershner, 6th Class Representative
Nominated By: Bradford County, Wayne County & Tioga County
James Marker, At Large Representative
Nominated By: Somerset County & Tioga County
A special thanks to Commissioner Marker and Ms. Kershner for their commitment to assisting counties with their unemployment compensation risk management. The newly re-elected Trustees will begin their new terms on January 1, 2009. Both positions will be open again for election/reelection in December 2010.
For more information on the UC Trust election process or for general questions about the Trust, email Julia Jackson, Employee Benefits Program Manager, or call (800) 895-9039.
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Training Update! |
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By Linda Rosito, Insurance Training Director
Thank you to everyone who attended our workshops this fall. If you were able to attend, we hope you found the workshops beneficial.
CCAP Insurance Programs has provided educational opportunities to over 1300 attendees throughout the 2008 training season. As we wrap up the fall season we are already planning for the spring of 2009.
Please mark your calendars!
· March 19 - Controlling Counties Worker's Compensation Costs Workshop - State College
· March 26 - Maintenance Workshop - State College
· April 1 - KEYS Workshop - Harrisburg
· April 2 - Defensive Driving - Lewisburg
· April 7 - PCoRP Loss Control Workshop - State College
· April 16 - Defensive Driving - State College
· April 16 - UC Trust Sponsored Workshop - State College
· April 21 - KEYS Workshop - Harrisburg
· April 22 - KEYS Workshop - Cranberry Twp.
· April 22 - KEYS Workshop - Lewisburg
· April 23 - UC Trust Sponsored Workshop - Scranton
· April 29 - UC Trust Sponsored Workshop - Harrisburg
· May 1 - Defensive Driving - Harrisburg
· May 6 - KEYS Workshop - Hilton, Scranton
· May 7 - KEYS Workshop - Harrisburg
· May 13 - KEYS Workshop - Cranberry Twp.
· May 20 - UC Trust Sponsored Workshop - Lewisburg
· May 21 - Prison Risk Management Workshop - Hershey
· May 27 & 28 - County Administration Conference - State College
Topics will be selected soon. Please check next month's Insurance Matters for an update. Look for your Glimpse in early February.
If you do not already receive a copy of the Glimpse and would like to, please contact us.
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Quote Of The Month |
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"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover."
- Mark Twain
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CCAP Insurance Programs
PO Box 60769, Harrisburg, PA 17106-0769
Phone (800) 895-9039 - FAX (717) 526-1020
Claims Fax (888) 692-2368
Click here to go the Insurance Section of the CCAP Website.
email:jsallade@pacounties.org
Insurance Matters is published monthly by CCAP Insurance Programs for the use of members of CCAP's UC Trust, PCoRP, PComp, PIMCC, COMCARE, COMCARE PRO, BEST Flex, PELICAN and other insurance programs, and insurance producers of these members.
Advice contained in this publication is not legal advice and members are encouraged to seek the opinion of their solicitor.
The information provided in this publication is not intended to take the place of professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with competent legal, financial, or other appropriate professionals. Statements of facts and opinions expressed in this publication, by authors other than Association staff and officers, are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent an opinion or philosophy of the officers, members and staff of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). No endorsement of advertised products or services is implied by CCAP unless those products or services are expressly endorsed, or are owned or managed by the Association programs, or our affiliates. This publication may not be reproduced, modified, distributed, or displayed in part or in whole, by any means, without advance written permission of CCAP. Please direct your requests to John Sallade, Managing Director, CCAP Insurance Programs, jsallade@pacounties.org.
Note: As part of its copyright agreement the CCAP grants the author the right to place the final version of his/her manuscript on the author's homepage, subject to CCAP's standards, or in a public digital repository, provided there is a link to the CCAP website.
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