AGENT AGENDA ONLINE   April-June 2010
  From SFM-The Work Comp Experts. News for insurance professionals.


 
  TOP STORIES  
  High EPL risk continues; SFM expands coverage  
 

The volume of employment practice charges against employers that surged to record highs nationally in 2008 continued in 2009. Small business owners, however, remain largely unprotected, studies show. SFM, meanwhile, has enhanced its coverage at no additional charge.

 
  Online app submissions via SAM up in '09  
  56 percent of all applications submitted to SFM in 2009 were submitted through SFM Application Manager. 1,276 new policies were bound through SAM, accounting for $5.3 million in premium.  
  Scholarship applications due March 31; SFM Foundation golf fundraiser set for June 29  
 

Graduating high school students of parents injured or killed on the job may apply for 2010-11 college scholarships from SFM Foundation until March 31. You can direct students to the Foundation website for information and the application form.

 
  Federal Medicare reporting deadline delayed until January 2011  
 

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has delayed the mandatory reporting date of Medicare-eligible workers' compensation claims to Jan. 1, 2011.

 
  'Transitional work warehouse' draws employers
 
 

SFM's "Transitional work warehouse" has caught the attention of many policyholders and continues to see a significant amount of activity following its release on SFM's website in early January.

 
  BRIEFS  
  Agent look-up available to website visitors
Learn how to earn 20% commission
 
  11th year: SFM ranks No. 1 in claims responsiveness  
  Five employers win SFM's Premier Partner Award  
  Contractors recognized for excellence in safety  
  Bent named to MWCIA board  
  Penalties for failure to insure up 71 percent in Minnesota    
  RECENT POLICYHOLDER PUBLICATIONS    
  January-April Mainstreet Minute (for small business owners)    
  January-March Companion    
  LEGAL ADVICE  
  From "Up North" by SFM's Duluth-based legal counsel  
  When can an employee receive retraining as a benefit?  
  Employee may qualify for FMLA even if 12 months of employment are non-consecutive  
  Use caution in making deductions from employees' paychecks  
     
  CALENDAR

Feb. 1-April 30
April 20
April 20
May 31

Post OSHA log
"Responding to work injuries" seminar, Bloomington, Minn.
"Return-to-work" seminar, Bloomington, Minn.
Memorial Day—SFM offices closed


 
 

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VICE PRESIDENT STRATEGIC BUSINESS OPERATIONS Steven Sandilla, EDITOR Mark A. Ladwig, ASSISTANT EDITOR Jennifer Kopp, Staff Writer Brook Matthiesen, PRODUCTION Sara Goese, Donna Lyons

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