As an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) provider, you have a responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your employees. This includes protecting them from workplace injuries and illnesses, and providing workers’ compensation benefits when needed.
However, workers’ compensation costs can be a significant financial burden for ABA agencies, especially small and mid-sized practices. Here are a few tips and insights on how to control workers’ compensation costs as an ABA provider.
Establish a Safety Program for Your Staff
Establishing a safety program is the first step in controlling workers’ compensation costs. This involves identifying potential hazards in the workplace, implementing safety procedures, and training employees on safe work practices. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) wants business owners (such as yourself) to know that that safety programs can reduce their workers’ compensation costs by up to 40%.
At Liberty, we offer safety trainings and educational tools for your staff, helping you stay on top of workplace safety without spending all your time managing the program.
Hire Qualified ABA Providers
Hiring qualified employees is essential to reducing the risk of workplace injuries and illnesses. Ensure that your employees are properly trained and licensed, and conduct background checks to ensure that they have no history of accidents or injuries.
While you may have staff who work under your license (especially if you hire those you supervise for licensure,) you may want to avoid this practice simply because it increases your overall risk as an agency.
Hiring qualified employees can help you avoid workers’ compensation claims and reduce insurance premiums, but how do you get started? The Liberty Company offers HR support services that will make it easier to hire quality staff and retain top talent.
Implement Return-to-Work Programs for Licensed ABA Professionals
Implementing return-to-work programs can help injured employees return to work sooner, which can reduce the costs associated with lost productivity and workers’ compensation benefits.
These programs involve providing modified duties or work schedules for employees who are recovering from injuries. For example, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has found that return-to-work programs can reduce workers’ compensation costs by up to 70%.
At the same time, telehealth is a popular option in the 2020s. If you can use telehealth to your advantage, you should do so. Plus, you can leverage telehealth services any time someone is ill, tests positive for COVID, or simply must spend time away from the office.
Manage Workers’ Comp Claims Efficiently
Managing workers’ compensation claims effectively is crucial to controlling costs. Promptly reporting claims, investigating accidents, and working with insurance carriers can help you minimize the costs associated with claims. When you work with our team at The Liberty Company, we handle much of this process on your behalf.
Additionally, implementing a fraud prevention program can help you detect and prevent fraudulent claims, which can help reduce insurance premiums. While you don’t want to imagine it, allowing our team to review the numbers, handle claims, and communicate with carriers makes it easier to get claims paid, prevent fraud, and keep costs down.
Work With an Experienced ABA Insurance Broker
Working with an experienced ABA insurance broker can help you find the best workers’ compensation coverage for your practice. Our team at The Liberty Company can help you understand your coverage options, negotiate with insurance carriers, and ensure that you have adequate protection at an affordable price. We want to partner with you in your success, ensuring that your ABA agency can thrive long into the future.
A study from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America has found that businesses that work with an independent insurance broker pay 15% less for workers’ compensation insurance than those that don’t. That alone serves as good reason to reach out today.
Contact The Liberty Company for Assistance with Insurance for ABA Providers
If you’re an ABA provider looking to control workers’ compensation costs, Liberty Behavioral Health can help. Our experienced insurance brokers can help you find the best coverage at an affordable price, and provide guidance on how to reduce your insurance premiums. Reach out to our team of ABA insurance experts to review your current coverage, complete a risk assessment, or to purchase new business coverage for your ABA agency.