February 26, 2024
Can employers pay small medical bills without submitting them to their workers’ compensation insurer?Choosing to pay a workers' compensation medical bill yourself can create a ripple effect of future problems.
February 12, 2024
Does workers’ compensation insurance cover injuries from car accidents?In some cases, automobile accidents are covered by workers’ compensation. Here’s what to if you’re involved in a work-related car accident.
February 2, 2024
Opioids and workers' compensation: Why employers should careOpioid painkiller misuse not only threatens the general well-being of employees, but can create on-the-job safety risks and inhibit recovery and return-to-work.
January 26, 2024
Nine expert tips that can lower your workers’ compensation costsEmployers have some control over workers’ compensation premiums. Here are our best tips for controlling your losses, and as a result, your premiums.
January 4, 2024
Why watching prescriptions closely is so importantSFM works hard to make sure injured workers’ medications are managed well, and as part of that effort, SFM partners with pharmacy benefits manager, myMatrixx.
June 12, 2023
Four things you need to do after an employee is injuredHelp prevent future workplace injuries, get the employee on the road to recovery and ensure a smooth claim process with these four post-injury tips.
April 26, 2023
Benefits of a strong return-to-work programBringing injured employees back to work as soon as their doctor allows it is not only the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing to do. A strong return-to-work program benefits your employees and your organization.
December 21, 2022
Retaliation claims: what they are and best practices to avoid themIf an employee feels they’ve been wrongfully targeted for exercising their protected right, they may in turn file a retaliation claim. Learn best practices to avoid them.
November 10, 2021
When is PTSD covered by workers’ compensation?For PTSD to be covered by workers’ compensation, it must meet the criteria as described in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and be diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
July 19, 2021
Claim adjusters’ best tips to avoid workers’ comp misstepsSFM’s claims representatives share their top tips for employers when dealing with workers’ compensation claims.
June 16, 2021
Avoid common mistakes when reporting work injuriesFast, accurate injury reporting can reduce frustration for everyone involved. Watch out for these common mistakes.
April 29, 2021
Subrogation: When third parties bear responsibility for work injuriesWhen one of your employees is injured in the course and scope of employment and a negligent third party bears some responsibility, we can sometimes recover a portion or all of the workers’ compensation claim costs from the responsible party through subrogation.
April 29, 2021
Work injuries 101: Reporting injuries and supporting workersOn-the-job injuries are unanticipated, urgent and unfortunate for everyone involved, but there are best practices you can follow to make a bad situation better for you and your injured employee.
February 3, 2021
Workers’ compensation waiting periodsWhat workers' compensation waiting periods are, what they mean for bringing employees back to work and how they differ between states.
February 3, 2021
Why early return-to-work benefits your employees and bottom lineStrong return-to-work programs lead to better outcomes for injured workers and can help control workers’ compensation premium costs for employers.
January 26, 2021
How your workers’ compensation e-mod is calculatedYour e-mod is used to calculate your workers’ compensation premium that’s based on your workers’ compensation claims experience.
October 21, 2020
Do you have a plan for investigating work injuries?You hope a work injury doesn’t occur, but if one does, use this four-point accident analysis plan to investigate.
October 7, 2020
The value in reporting minor work injuriesReporting minor injuries helps create a record in case the injury becomes more severe. Incident-only claims won’t affect your premium.
September 4, 2020
Streamlined phone reporting option availableIn response to feedback from employers and workers, we’re offering a new option when you call the SFM Work Injury Hotline to report injuries.
June 29, 2020
Why you have to stay vigilant on work injuriesIdeally, your employees will let you know if they are injured, but what if they don’t? You might still be legally required to report.
June 29, 2020
What happens when you choose the SFM Work Injury Hotline nurse option?Reporting injuries through the SFM Work Injury Hotline provides injured employees the opportunity to speak with a nurse and get a treatment recommendation. Here's what to expect when you call.
June 29, 2020
Four reasons why reporting work injuries immediately helps you and your employeesImmediately reporting injuries improves medical care, accident investigation, contact with medical providers and communication with injured employees.
February 12, 2020
What employers need to know about concussionsBecause the duration, symptoms, diagnostic testing and treatment in each case are so varied, concussions can be very complex and costly to treat.
February 5, 2020
Preventing depression among injured workersPost-injury depression can prolong a claim and delay return-to-work. Here are steps employers can take to lower the risk of depression.
January 28, 2020
Managing claims Q&A: Answers to some of our most common claims questionsManaging claims Q&A. Claims representatives answer common employer questions about workers' compensation claims.
January 8, 2020
Seven things employers should know about independent medical examinationsHere are a few things you should know about independent medical examinations.
December 6, 2019
Who's calling me? The roles of workers' compensation claims, medical, rehab and legal professionalsWhile claims representatives are injured workers’ primary contact, they might also hear from medical, rehabilitation or legal professionals.
September 11, 2019
Preventing opioid addictions before they startLearn how SFM is working to prevent opioid addictions with injured workers before they start.
June 13, 2019
Video: Claims representatives talk about their roleClaims representatives talk about how they help injured workers recover and return to work in a new SFM recruiting video.
April 17, 2019
Free return-to-work resource provides ideas for light-duty jobsWhen injured workers have medical restrictions, it’s sometimes tough to find transitional jobs. That's why SFM created a free listing of ideas, broken down by industry.
April 10, 2019
Are employees working overseas covered by work comp?Employees who are working overseas temporarily are generally covered by their employers' domestic workers' compensation policies.
March 27, 2019
How opioid painkiller use can impact a workers' compensation claimTaking opioid painkillers long term, or in high doses can have a major impact on an injured worker’s recovery and return to work.
December 19, 2018
Prevent litigation, stay in contact with injured employeesMany litigated workers’ compensation cases could have been avoided if the employer had taken the time to show concern for the employee’s welfare during the early stages of the claim.
December 12, 2018
Keeping problem employees on staff can increase workers’ compensation costsDealing with employee performance problems can be much more challenging if that employee claims a work injury. To avoid this, address performance issues right away.
June 20, 2018
Alternatives to opioids for treating chronic painThe medical community is identifying alternative ways to help individuals with chronic pain such as exercise, acupuncture and virtual reality.
May 30, 2018
Hidden costs of work injuriesFew employers realize just how costly a work injury can be until they experience one at their organization. That’s because there are so many hidden costs of work injuries that aren’t covered by workers’ compensation benefits, such as lost productivity, overtime costs, and impacts on the injured worker and their family.
May 17, 2018
Why employers should get to know medical providersBuilding relationships with the local doctors most likely to treat your injured workers lays the groundwork for teamwork between you, the physician and your insurer.
April 18, 2018
New studies on opioids show ineffectiveness, high costRecent studies have shown that opioids are less effective than common painkillers and delay return to work. SFM has been working since 2014 to reduce long-term use of opioids by injured workers.
December 13, 2017
Workplace safety and claims resources for employees with limited English proficiencySFM offers a number of resources to help keep employees with limited English proficiency safe, and assist if they are injured.
November 17, 2015
After severe injury, man recovers, thrives, then helps othersSFM employees recently heard the inspiring story of a man who not only overcame a tragic accident that cost him both legs, but used the experience to help others.
