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Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)

Administration | Underwriting | Safety | Claims  | Premium Collections

Administration

Q
What is SWIF's written premium for 2016 and 2017?
A
2016 = $187,693,000
2017 = $173,400,000
 
Q
What is SWIF's Lost Cost Multiplier?
A
As of April 1, 2017: Commercial 3.187% and Coal 1.904%
 
Q
What is SWIF's calendar year loss ratio for the past three years?
A
2014 - 119.5%
2015 - 117.63%
2016 - 97.2%
(percentages are tentative pending SWIF's reserve estimate completion)
 
Q What is a PPO?
A A PPO is a Preferred Provider Organization, it is a list or “panel” of designated health care providers specializing in workers’ compensation by providing goal oriented medical treatment from board certified physicians that will facilitate a prompt recovery and a successful return to work.
 
Q Why post a panel?
A The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act gives employers the right to establish a panel of designated health care providers, when properly posted in the workplace and acknowledged by all employees, injured workers must seek treatment for their work related injuries with one of the designated providers for 90 days from the date of the first visit.
 
Q Why is SWIF offering a panel of providers?
A SWIF realizes that it’s vital that businesses take prudent steps in controlling their workers’ compensations costs.
 
Q What are the benefits of posting a panel?
A Reduced workers’ compensation medical and indemnity costs, a goal orientated treatment plan for your injured workers and improved treatment outcomes.
 
Q How can I get my own panel from SWIF?
A Contact Cathleen Fitzpatrick at 717-728-5502 ext. 1117 or by email at cfitzpatrick@hooverinc.com.
 
Q Does SWIF have a Pharmacy Program?
A Yes, administerd through KeyScripts.
 
Q If I’m an injured worker how will I receive my prescription card?
A Injured workers with compensable claims will automatically receive a pharmacy card listing the 4 closest pharmacies near your home.
 
Q What are the benefits in using this service?
A You will receive your prescriptions faster, pay nothing out of pocket, reduce unnecessary phone calls and become eligible for home delivery.
 
Q How can I receive additional information on SWIF Pharmacy program?
A Contact KeyScripts at 1-866-446-2848 with questions, or to locate the KeyScripts Network pharmacy nearest you.
 
Q What is a Return to Work Program (RTW)?
A A RTW program is a proactive approach in restoring injured workers back to their former lifestyle in the safest and most effective manner possible.
 
Q Why implement a RTW Program?
A Workplace injuries, illnesses and accidents are costly to the employer and the employees. Preventing injuries is the best way to protect workers while controlling workers compensation costs. Employers and workers need a way to manage injuries if they occur. An effective RTW program assists in assuring that the worker obtains medical care during the initial stages of recovery, and during the subsequent return to productive employment.
 
Q What are the benefits of a RTW program?
A For the Employer - Reduced staff turnover and training costs, reduced fraudulent claims, saves indemnity expenses, overtime costs, improve morale and employee relations.

For the Employee - Increase self-esteem, contributes to a faster recovery by keeping the injured worker mentally and physically conditioned, maintains social contact with fellow employees and reduces negative financial impact many injured employees experience.

Final Result - A Win-Win for everyone.

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Underwriting

Q
How does SWIF price Workers' Compensation coverage?
A
SWIF assigns the appropriate classification code(s) and multiplies the rate by every $100 of payroll to produce the base premium. The base premium is then multiplied by any applicable Experience Modification or Premium Discount. The total is the Estimated Annual Premium.
 
Q
When does Minimum Premium apply?
A
The minimum premium applies whenever the actual premium is less than the minimum premium for the selected classification code(s).
 
Q What is an Officer Exemption Form (LIBC 509 - Application for Executive Officer Exemption; LIBC 513 - Executive Officer Declaration), and when is it needed?
A
An Officer Exemption Form is a notice of rejection for Workers' Compensation coverage. When an Officer of a Corporation elects not to be covered by Workers' Compensation, they complete an "Application for Executive Officer Exemption Form" (LIBC 509) and an "Executive Officer Declaration Form" (LIBC 513). An Officer Exemption Form is only necessary for Corporations, since Sole Proprietors and Partners are automatically excluded from coverage. These Forms can be obtained from SWIF or the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, 1171 S. Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2501; telephone (717) 787-3567.
 
Q
Are employees covered while working in another state?
A
SWIF does not provide Workers' Compensation Insurance coverage for states other than Pennsylvania. It does, however, afford coverage for Pennsylvania hired employees who are injured out-of-state pursuant to the Extraterritorial Provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act. Although it is a very fact specific area of the law, the general rule is that coverage will be afforded to an individual hired in Pennsylvania, but assigned to work out-of-state on a temporary basis. Any benefits paid will be made pursuant to Pennsylvania law and not the law of the state where the work injury occurred. This is a complex and difficult area of the law, where questions of coverage and compensability often turn on the facts surrounding the employee's hire and the insured's business presence out-of-state. Such questions often require the advice of an insurance broker or lawyer. Obviously, it is better that these questions be addressed before an injury occurs.

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Safety

Q How do I establish a certified workplace safety committee and earn the 5 percent premium discount on my next policy renewal date?
A See Certified Safety Committee Information under Resources.
 
Q What Loss Control Services are available?  
A
The services include, but are not limited to, on-site surveys, accident prevention training programs, and safety committee training. (See Loss Control Notice of Availability of Services)
 
Q
How do I get started?
A
Contact the Loss Control Manager at (570) 941-1653 to discuss your needs.
 
Q
What resources do you have to help me?
A
SWIF offers posters, and videos that can assist you in training your employees or raising their level of awareness about Workplace Safety. (See Available Safety Materials)
 
Q
Is there a cost to me for Loss Control Services and materials?
A
No. These services are included in your policy premium.

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Claims

Q When, and to whom, do I report my injury?
A
Report any work related injury immediately to your employer. Your employer will then report your injury to SWIF.
 
Q Who will contact me?
A
On all reported claims, you will be contacted by letter from SWIF assigning a # to your claim. If your injury causes you to lose work for 7 days, you will be contacted by a SWIF Investigator working from the district office serving your geographic location.
 
Q What will my lost time benefits be?
A
Your benefits are based on your wages at the time of your injury.
 
Q Will my medical bills be paid?
A
All medical bills falling under the Workers' Compensation Act and applying to your accepted claim will be honored. 
 
Q When will I receive payment of lost wage benefits?
A
After your lost time claim is investigated and accepted, you should expect to receive a check within ten (10) working days.
 
Q What if I cannot do the job that I did before being injured?
A SWIF offers several services to see that you receive the best medical care for your injuries and the best vocational opportunities for your return to the workforce.

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Premium Collections

 

Q What happens if I don’t pay my Worker’s Compensation bill?
A

If you do not pay your balance due with the State Workers’ Insurance Fund (SWIF) by your billing due date, your account will go into collections. A set of Collection letters will go out allowing you 30 days to make your payment to SWIF. If at that point no payment or communication is made on your account, the account will then be sent to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (AG).


Commonwealth Attorneys Act, 71 P.S. Section 732-204(c) states: “The Attorney General shall collect, by suit or otherwise, all debts, taxes and accounts due the Commonwealth which shall be referred to and placed with the Attorney General’s for collection by any Commonwealth Agency; the Attorney General shall keep a proper docket or dockets, duly indexed, of all such claims, showing whether they are in litigation and their nature and condition.”


This statute is what allows us to refer accounts to the AG, but it is the Management Directive 310.10 that sets forth the procedure that can be used by an agency to collect and refer accounts to the AG’s office. Management Directive 310.10 states its purpose: “to establish policy and guidelines for collection accounts due to the Commonwealth and to provide procedures for depositing collections made by the Office of Attorney General, Financial Enforcement Section, and for billing state agencies for collection expenses.”

 

Credit Card Payments - FAQ

SWIF is now accepting credit card payments on eligible cancelled or non-renewed policies through Payeezy.
 
Q Can I make a payment lower than the amount that I owe?

A No, but you can call the Collections Department to discuss payment options
(570) 614-1543  (570) 941-1947  (570) 496-4465
Email: RA-SWIFCOLLECT@PA.GOV   Fax: (717) 525-5140
 
Q Can the insured use two credit cards for the same transaction?
A Yes, however the insured would need to call the Collections Department to initiate those transactions. The insured would also be responsible for two convenience fees, as they would need to complete two separate transactions.
 
Q Who is eligible to make a credit card payment?
A Your policy must be cancelled or non-renewed. Your policy must have the final audit "Completed" processed and billed.
 
Q What is required to make the credit card payment?
A
  • FEIN number
  • Policy number
  • Credit card - VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted
  • Credit card billing address
  • The credit card's security code and expiration date
 
Q Can I still make a payment if my account is with the Attorney General's Office?
A Yes, SWIF would accept the payment and notify the Attorney General's Office.
 
Q What is a Keystone ID?
A SWIF has joined with other state agencies to offer the Keystone ID, a single, secure way to access multiple commonwealth services. Before paying with your credit card, you will be asked to register for or sign in with a Keystone ID. You will be required to sign up or sign in with a log in and password which will then allow you to enter Payeezy’s secure site to pay your bill with your credit card. You are only required to sign up once but will need to remember your log in and password for future transactions.
 
Q Fee and processing times?
A
  • A $20.00 convenience fee will be added to your total at the end of your transaction, before checkout. This fee is non-refundable.
  • Once your transaction is completed, your credit card will be charged that day and you will receive an email notification of your transaction.
  • Please allow up to three (3) business days for online payments to be reflected on your account balance.
  • All refunds will be issued by check. Please note that refund requests may take up to 10 days for processing.

* Please note that credit card information will not be saved or stored. Once the transaction has been processed and completed, all personal information is discarded.

Log In To Secure Site to Make Payment 
 
 

 

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Contact Information

State Workers' Insurance Fund
100 Lackawanna Avenue
P.O. Box 5100
Scranton, PA 18505-5100
(570) 963-4635