Effective July 1, 2017, Assembly Bill 72 (Bonta) went into effect by protecting Californians from unexpected medical bills when visiting in-network facilities (i.e., hospitals, labs, and imaging centers). No longer can providers who aren’t contracted with a patient’s health plan step into the operating room, for instance, and charge the patient more than the patient would have expected to pay an in-network provider. Furthermore, the patient can only be billed for his or her in-network cost-share, meaning in-network benefits apply to all providers seen, and services rendered, in an in-network facility.
Surviving an Active Shooter Event: Recognize, React and Prevent Workplace Violence
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President of Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In the ongoing effort to keep employees safe from workplace violence, it is very important to train workers how to recognize, react to and prevent active shooter events. In most cases, simply having a plan can mean the difference between life and death.
OSHA Launches Electronic Reporting System
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It is official – the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its website for the electronic submission of employers’ injury and illness records (i.e., OSHA 300 logs).
Hired and Non-Owned Liability Coverage: The Sleeping Giant
Author, Daniel Frazee, Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Could your company have underlying Auto related exposures that you are not aware of? Let’s assume you have taken several precautions to properly manage the safety of your fleet. But has your management team contemplated potential losses arising from employees operating their own personal vehicles as they relate to your business?
7 Tips to Protect Your Business from a Fire
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services
As San Diego’s East County battles a series of wild fires, it is a perfect time for business owners to review their insurance policies and proactively manage their fire risk, especially those who are located in semi-rural and rural areas.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists Coverage - Are Your Limits Adequate? - Be Careful!
Author, David J. Garcia, A.A.I., CRIS, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Earlier in the year, we published the article "Commercial Auto Premiums Are Rising - What’s Driving the Increases?," which addresses how insurance companies are all experiencing adverse loss experience within their commercial automobile books of business. The result of these mounting losses is causing a dramatic rise in commercial Auto premiums for most policyholders.
OSHA Launches Inaugural Safe + Sound Week
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched its inaugural Safe + Sound Week, which runs from June 12 - 18, 2017. According to OSHA, Safe + Sound week is "a nationwide event to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs that include management leadership, worker participation, and a systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards in workplaces."
Timely Claim Reporting Lowers Work Comp Claims Costs and Improves Your Bottom Line
Author, David J. Garcia, A.A.I., CRIS, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Studies have shown, by reporting your workers compensation claims in a timely basis, not only will your injured employee receive better medical treatment, it will boost company morale. Both the injured worker, as well as other employees, will see your sincere concern for their wellbeing. In addition, timely reporting practices will also improve your risk profile through reducing the overall cost of the claim, which leads to lower loss ratios and lower experience modifiers, thus, resulting in lower premiums and improvement in your bottom line.
OSHA Not Prepared to Accept Electronic Submissions
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For over a year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have championed the upcoming electronic submission of injury and illness records (i.e., OSHA 300 logs) through its website. The new requirement was designed to make OSHA records publicly available on the internet in hopes that it would encourage employers to maintain safer working environments. The electronic submissions of the 2016 reports were supposed to be due by July 1, 2017.
Cyberattacks Threaten Small Businesses: Help Protect Your Company's Data by Following These Steps
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With the recent cyberattacks spreading across the globe, Rancho Mesa would like to remind its clients to take the necessary precautions to protect their business’s data.
Taking Your Safety Program to the Next Level: Form a Safety Committee
Author, Daniel Frazee, ARM, CRIS, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Establishing a safety committee within your company will enhance the effectiveness of your safety program by identifying hazards and appropriate controls, implementing specific measures, developing clear safe work practices and communicating clearly through all levels within your organization.
Is Your Business Protected from Data Breach Costs and HIPAA Violations?
Author Chase Hixson, AAI, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As technology and the common usage of the internet in business grow, Cyber Crime is an ever increasing exposure for businesses. Most businesses carry large quantities of sensitive data that if breached, can create a financial and administrative headache. Many business owners are unaware of the real exposures they have should their information be compromised, whether directly or indirectly.
What is SB 562 all about?
It may be of interest, if not importance, for all Californians to know about current proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens and Senator Toni Atkins of San Diego. The proposed bill would significantly expand the role of the state government within the healthcare system, by essentially establishing a single-payer system.
Commercial Auto Premiums Are Rising - What’s Driving the Increases?
Author David J. Garcia, C.R.I.S., A.A.I., President Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The insurance industry is experiencing record losses on their commercial auto books of business, which is dramatically driving up insurance premiums for business owners. There are many factors that are contributing to this increase in losses; let’s take a look at six of the most prevalent.
Should Union Janitorial Employers have a lower Workers’ Compensation rate than Non-Union Employers?
Author Jeremy Hoolihan, CRIS, Janitorial Group Leader Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A recent study by the Commission on Health, Safety and Workers’ Compensation made an argument that the janitorial industry should be split into two workers’ compensation class codes. This change would be similar to how many construction operations field class codes are separated between an over and under dollar amount per hourly wage. As an example, an electrical contractor’s field wages are split at over and under $30/hour.
Help Control Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Costs through Accident Investigation
Authors, Dave Garcia, AAI, CRIS, President and CEO, and Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director from Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When a workers’ compensation claims occurs, in order to both control the costs of the claim and look for preventive measures to reduce or eliminate similar claims from reoccurring, it is vital that a thorough accident investigation report is completed.
How to Prevent Back Injuries in the Landscape Industry
Author, Drew Garcia, with Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, is the program director for NALP’s Worker’s Compensation Program.
According to the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), in the last 5 years, over a quarter of a billion dollars in back injury claims, on behalf of the landscape industry, have been paid out by carriers in California. The back claim is by far the most costly injury at $22,000 over the last five years and the second highest in terms of frequency (behind hand, wrist and finger injuries), and the leading claim resulting in an employee's time away from work.
4 Factors That Shape Your Insurance Risk Profile
Author, Drew Garcia, with Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, is the program director for NALP’s Worker’s Compensation Program.
Ever wonder why your insurance rates high when your competitors are low? There are reasons for that including, frequency of claims, severity of claims, experience rating, average claim cost incurred, operations, trends, loss ratio etc. If you evaluate your risk profile you can take action to lower your premiums.
New First Aid Reporting Requirements Take Effect January 1st, 2017
W-2 Phishing Scam – New Potential Risk to Nonprofits – Be Aware!!
There has been a recent increase in attempts of a phishing scams involving W2s in nonprofit, schools and other human services organizations. We caution any business, but particularity organizations in these sectors to be very cautious if they receive any emails requesting information regarding W2’s, earning summaries or any other employee sensitive information. In many cases these emails look like they originate from a high level employee and are sent to other high level, human resources or payroll department employees.