Enhancements to Provider Connection go live April 20.

An SFM online portal, Provider Connection allows medical professionals to access a wealth of information about workers’ compensation claims.

Upgrades to the platform include a fresh look and feel, new features, and processes that reduce the need for medical information to be emailed or faxed to SFM.

In addition to an improved design, the upgraded Provider Connection will allow users to:

• Upload documents such as prior authorizations, medical records or other items related to appeals and reconsiderations
• See reconsideration and appeal status
• More easily search for patient information

Also, users with access to multiple locations will no longer need to toggle between them. When they search for a bill, they will be able to choose whether to search one or more of their locations.

For a refresher on how to use Provider Connection and access its features, see the quick start guide in our resource catalog.

Chad Hagedorn, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at SFM, is a finalist for an ORBIE Award, which recognizes Minnesota’s top Chief Information Officers (CIOs).

“I was honored, obviously, because I know this award is well recognized in Minnesota and other states for CIO executives,” he said. “Really, in the end, you think back about what has been accomplished and the team members who helped, the great mentors along the way and the support of SFM itself. A strong information technology team doesn’t develop without the support of the entire company.”

Hagedorn is one of a handful of finalists among more than 200 CIOs who were nominated for the award.

The ORBIE Awards are administered by MinnesotaCIO , a group that helps CIOs “maximize their leadership effectiveness, create value, reduce risk and share success.” Finalists and winners are selected by an independent peer review process, with the criteria based on:

• Leadership and management effectiveness
• Business value created by technology innovation
• Engagement in industry and community endeavors

As part of the ORBIE nomination process, Hagedorn had to fill out a form about himself and SFM, as well as larger initiatives the team has achieved, which included:

• Updating SFM’s core enterprise software
• Improving external tools for customers
• Building out a mature cybersecurity program
• Implementing multiple enterprise systems that serve the company, including disaster recovery systems
• Coordinating the working from home transition from the pandemic and the current hybrid office

Also of note, SFM’s cybersecurity program has strengthened under Hagedorn, helping ensure the safety and security of data and network and tools for both the company, agents and policyholders.

“In the end, it’s what the team has done,” Hagedorn said. “Accomplishments are achieved by people pulling in the same direction over the years.”

The 2026 ORBIE Award winner will be announced July 17.

This is the first in a five-part series recapping our webinar, The SFM Difference.

The first segment of SFM’s webinar highlighted the features and services that make us a premier workers’ compensation partner focused on the company’s history.

SFM Mutual Insurance Company began as a member-owned mutual company established by the State of Minnesota and quickly grew to an industry leader in Minnesota and eventually the Midwest and beyond. The segment continues through the 40-plus years of providing work comp coverage, including:

• Early leadership
• Growing the business
• Establishing SFM’s philosophy

Check out the full recording of the webinar, as well as other installments of our blog series:

• Partnering with SFM
• SFM claims philosophy
• Introduction to premium audit
• SFM medical team advantage

Lastly, you can find this and other educational webinars on our website.

This is the second in a five-part series recapping our webinar, The SFM Difference.

The second segment of SFM’s webinar focused on the value we bring to agents and policyholders.

Specifically, we covered:

• Building relationships
• The value of specialization
• Online services and resources
• Our team-based approach
• Strong results

Check out the full recording of the webinar, as well as other installments of our blog series:

• History of SFM
• SFM claims philosophy
• Introduction to premium audit
• SFM medical team advantage

Lastly, you can find this and other educational webinars on our website.

This is the third in a five-part series recapping our webinar, The SFM Difference.

The third segment of our webinar outlined how our claims handling is an extension of our customer service philosophy.

SFM’s unique structure allows us to:

• Develop partnerships with policyholders
• Meet the needs of injured workers
• Support return-to-work programs
• Manage claims with our in-house team of experts
• Create technology to help employees and policyholders

Check out the full recording of the webinar, as well as other installments of our blog series:

• History of SFM
• Partnering with SFM
• Introduction to premium audit
• SFM medical team advantage

Lastly, you can find this and other educational webinars on our website.

This is the fourth in a five-part series recapping our webinar, The SFM Difference.

The fourth section of our webinar outlined the premium audit, an annual process every workers’ compensation carrier conducts with policyholders to confirm the accuracy of their employee count and total payroll for the policy period.

We outlined:

• The steps policyholders must go through
• How we make the process as smooth as possible
• SFM’s premium audit expertise
• Our commitment to efficiency

Check out the full recording of the webinar, as well as other installments of our blog series:

• History of SFM
• Partnering with SFM
• SFM claims philosophy
• SFM medical team advantage

Lastly, you can find this and other educational webinars on our website.

This is the final in a five-part blog series recapping our webinar, The SFM Difference.

The last segment of our webinar focused on the medical expertise we bring to workers’ compensation coverage.

SFM has a diverse array of professionals who work in concert to provide the best outcomes for injured workers.

Check out the full recording of the webinar, as well as other installments of our blog series:

• History of SFM
• Partnering with SFM
• SFM claims philosophy
• Introduction to premium audit

Lastly, you can find this and other educational webinars on our website.

Mark your calendars now for the SFM Foundation’s annual Iowa and Minnesota golf events.

The outings are the biggest fundraisers of the year for the foundation, which provides helps families affected by workplace injuries by providing scholarships to children of workers disabled or killed in work-related accidents. The SFM Foundation is an affiliate of Kids’ Chance of America in Iowa and Minnesota.

These events bring together agent partners, supporters and scholarship recipients for a meaningful day on the course, all while raising critical funds students.

“Our golf events are powerful reminders of what community support can accomplish. Every sponsorship and every golfer directly impact a student’s ability to pursue their educational goals after a family tragedy,” said Deb Zorn, the foundation’s Scholarship Director.

2026 golf events

The Iowa golf event will be held Monday, May 18, at Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City. This is a new location for the fundraiser. Register now .

Minnesota’s golf fundraiser will be held Monday, June 8, at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury. Register now .

You can take part by sponsoring the event, enjoying a day of golf, or both. Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels. Visit the links above for more information.

“We’re always so thankful of the support of our agent partners, clients and others who contribute to our mission. These golf events are not only a way to raise scholarship funds, but they also allow those involved to connect and build a community,” said Linda Williams, President of the SFM Foundation.

2025 highlights

The SFM Foundation had a successful year in 2025. Highlights include:

• Nearly $600,000 in new scholarships, a record since the group was founded
• Awarding the highest number of scholarships in the foundation’s history, 19
• The Iowa governor proclaiming Oct. 13-17 as Kids’ Chance Week (the SFM Foundation is an affiliate of Kids’ Chance of America in Iowa and Minnesota)
• Reaching Gold Level status from Kids’ Chance of America, recognizing top-tier excellence in nonprofit operations

About the SFM Foundation

The SFM Foundation was created in 2008 by SFM Companies. The nonprofit is dedicated to easing the burdens on families affected by workplace accidents. Scholarships are awarded regardless of which workers’ compensation insurer was involved in the claim. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded 266 scholarships totaling $4.7 million. For more information, visit sfmfoundation.com .

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The results of a recent policyholder survey demonstrate the value our customers see in SFM and illustrate why we continue to have an exceptional client retention rate each year.

Each year, we send surveys to policyholders with over $25,000 in premium to get their thoughts about their workers’ compensation experiences with SFM. The latest survey was sent in October 2025 and the results were recently tabulated.

Among the key findings, most respondents, 92%, were “extremely” or “somewhat” satisfied with SFM. Regarding ease of doing business 93% said SFM was “very easy” or “easy” to do business with.

New to this year’s survey was a specific question about claim experiences. Again, we received high marks from policyholders – 90% reported that the experience was “excellent” or “very good” with SFM.

The premium audit experience, also a new survey question, received strong ratings, with 84% saying it was “excellent” or “very good.” 

“We’re always excited to hear back from folks about their experiences with SFM – we strive to provide top-shelf customer service,” said Steve Sandilla, Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer. “In fact, nearly two-thirds of respondents to one survey named at least one SFM employee who provided excellent customer service – that’s a 9-percentage point increase from 2024.”

Regarding positive comments from survey respondents, customer service was the topic most frequently cited.

Returning customers

The results of those surveys are reflected in two other clear metrics – a 93% customer retention rate.

“With our customer-focused service model, we see outstanding retention rates year after year compared to our competitors,” said Mike Happe, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Our value comes from maintaining excellent practices that always put policyholders first.”

We also had a record for returning clients in 2025. Last year, 374 employers that left us at some point in the last three years returned to SFM. That figure bested the previous record of 333 in 2024.

“We play a long game at SFM, and it’s so cool when we win former customers back with levels of service that our competitors cannot match,” Happe said. “That’s what I call proof in the pudding of the value of SFM’s consistent, industry-leading, high-quality service.”

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Contributing to our communities is a core value for SFM.

From long‑standing philanthropic programs to hands‑on volunteerism and partnerships with nonprofit organizations, SFM’s charitable efforts continue to grow in both reach and impact, contributing to communities in all states in which our employees live and work.

Once again in 2026, SFM will continue its involvement in the Minnesota Keystone Program , which affirms the commitment to contributing 2% of pre‑tax profits to charity. In 2025, we contributed even more than anticipated.

“This pledge ensures consistent support for worthy organizations across our region and reinforces our philosophy of giving back to the communities where our employees and policyholders live and work,” said Sarah Hunter, Vice President of Operations. “These donations helped stock shelves, support families, and ensure that our neighbors have the resources they need during challenging times.”

Last year, SFM was also presented with a unique giving opportunity through a 16-year policyholder, Women’s Advocates . The organization’s capital campaign will expand housing for individuals escaping domestic violence and help in their goal of creating safe and supportive housing.

“We are honored to announce that, in recognition of this contribution, SFM will be naming the wellness room at the new facility, a lasting symbol of our commitment to healing and safety,” Hunter said.

SFM also continues to support Helping Paws , a nationally recognized nonprofit that breeds, trains and places assistance dogs. The organization places service dogs with individuals who have physical disabilities, service dogs with veterans and first responders living with service-related PTSD, and facility dogs with professionals in courthouse, educational and mental health settings.

“SFM’s charitable giving is driven by more than financial commitments – it’s fueled by employee enthusiasm, relationship‑building and a desire to make a genuine difference,” Hunter said. “As SFM moves into 2026, these efforts continue to reflect our values: compassion, community and a belief that ‘doing good is good business.’ SFM remains committed to inspiring positive change across the communities we serve.”

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