Risk Management Accomplishments
Since its inception, Risk Management has initiated a number of innovations designed to improve efficiency and the level of service. Following are some examples:
- Managing Workers' Compensation cases which includes regular review of all claims by a Risk Management specialist, occupational physician, physical therapist, outside legal counsel and outside claims service.
- Monitoring contracts and leases and requiring that the City/County be protected with the proper types and amounts of insurance.
- Contracting the Workers' Compensation/employee Medical Director and placing a Physician's Assistant in the City and County Clinics. These initiatives have achieved substantial savings and have provided greater accessibility to employees in need of medical treatment and follow up for Workers' Compensation injuries.
- Contracting services with a third party claims administrator to handle Workers' Compensation, Liability and Auto claims. Two representatives are housed in the Risk Management offices to provide easier access and response to citizens and employees in relation to their claims.
- Conducting extensive training programs such as defensive driving under authorization from the National Safety Council.
- Creating and updating Procedures governing all of the various Risk Management activities and providing a Procedure Manual to each employee.
- Combining the City of Ocala and Marion County's excess insurance coverages to obtain volume discounts.
- Introducing voluntary insurances such as dental and vision plans for employees and dependents.
- Changing insurance carriers for employee term life insurance at substantial savings to employees, the City and the County.
- Introducing optional group supplemental term life insurance to City and County employees at a low group rate.
- Administering IRS Section 125 Premium Conversion and Flexible Spending Accounts for employee out of pocket medical and dependent care expenses. Employee participation results in substantial tax savings for the employee and significant reductions in the Employer FICA contributions.
Through the efforts of the Risk Management Department, it is estimated that the City of Ocala and Marion County's insurance costs have been lowered a combined total of $4.5 million per year.