The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) recently announced plans to reclassify the 8868 (i.e., professors, teachers or academic professional employees) and 9101 (i.e., all employees other than professors, teachers, or academic professional employees) class codes under the belief that there is significant disparity between the businesses that currently fall under these two classifications. These changes are planned to go into effect January 1, 2019.
Currently the 8868 and 9101 classes, titled “schools,” consist of not only kindergarten through college schools, but also vocational schools, special education for disabled children, social services for children, and training programs for the developmentally disabled. While these businesses are similar in many ways, the claims appear to differ uniformly between these specific niches. This has a direct impact on the Experience Modifications (i.e., x-mod) of the organizations. According to the WCIRB, the average x-mod for K-12 schools and colleges is .81, vocational schools are 1.08, programs offering special education services for children are at 1.40 and training programs for developmentally disabled are at 1.30.
Average X-Mod within 8868 and 9101 Class Codes
The proposed changes will continue to include the 8868 and 9101 class codes while adding four new classifications. The theory is that this will create more homogeneous classes for the members while at the same time leveling out the X-mods for all. As the process unfolds, it could create higher insurance costs and you will want to fully understand how these changes could affect your bottom line.
While there are still more details to be worked out, it’s apparent that there are significant changes heading towards those operating with the 8868 and 9101 class codes. Whether or not an employer will be positively or negatively affected will depend on their individual risk profile.
Rancho Mesa’s Human Services Group will be taking a leadership position in understanding these changes and their impacts. To learn more about how these changes will affect your organization, please Rancho Mesa at (619) 937-0164.