AGRI-SERVICES AGENCY provides workers' compensation coverage through alternative risk transfer programs due to traditional carriers exiting the market and increasing costs. Coverage is state regulated and benefits differ by state. The key objectives of workers' compensation are to provide reasonable benefits regardless of fault, be the sole remedy for occupational injury, and relieve public institutions of costs while encouraging workplace safety. Injured employees receive medical, disability, rehabilitation and death benefits. Agrisurance and EMPACT are the two programs offered, each with underwriting guidelines and binding/payment options. Claims are managed by PMA Management Corp. through experienced professionals and cost control programs.

1. AGRI-SERVICES AGENCY
Workers Compensation

3. Why Alternative Risk?
ASA provides Workers’ Comp coverage through
Alternative Risk Transfer programs. (ART)
 Traditional Carriers exited the market.
 Large increases in premium and decreased availability of
insurance forced businesses to look for alternative
structures to transfer risk.
 Through ART, ASA has more control over the
management of losses and expenses; which dictate the
premiums charges for insurance.

4. Workers’ Compensation
State regulated:
 Employers must provide coverage according to
individual state’s rules and regulations.
 Benefits paid to the injured employee differ state
to state.
 Our responsibility is to ensure compliance with
the laws, regulations and rules of the State
Insurance Departments, their WCBs, DOH/ DOL,
and Reinsurance Companies – Just as we do for
Health insurance!
 Employers who do not follow the regulations are
subject to state penalties.

5. Key Objectives
 Provides prompt and reasonable benefits regardless of
fault.
 Provides the sole remedy for occupational injury.
 Relieves public and private institutions of the burden for
disabled workers and their families.
 Frees the courts of delay, cost and work involved in
hearing cases; which helps reduces overall expenses.
 Encourages employers to promote safe working
practices.
 Promotes research into causes of accidents, reducing
preventable accidents and human suffering.

6. What are the Benefits?
For the injured Employee and/or Business Owner:
 Medical
 Disability
 Rehabilitation
 Death
 Wage continuation

7. Workers’ compensation
ASA Workers’ Compensation Programs:
Agrisurance Inc.
Captive Program: similar to traditional
insurance companies.

States: CT, CO, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH,
NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, & WI.

Discover Reinsurance is the Fronting carrier
and reinsurance company.


8. Workers’ Compensation
EMPACT:
 Trust program for farm businesses domiciled and
operated in New York State.
 The NY WCB sets regulatory policies.
 Certificates of Coverage, which resemble a dec page are
issued in lieu of policies.
 Insureds are referred to as members.
 Midwest is the Reinsurance Company.

9. Underwriting Guidelines
 Each program requires an application; EMPACT
requires a specific application which is required by
the NY WCB; Agrisurance requires completion of an
Acord application. (pass out)
 Each program has specific underwriting guidelines
that differ as a result of the contracts negotiated with
the Reinsurance companies. (pass out)
 Both programs require:
Supplemental Applications
Loss information
Safety / Loss control survey at the
discretion of Underwriting.

10. Binding and payment options
 New Business: Each program requires a 25%
down payment with a signed application to bind
coverage. We prefer to have this prior to the
effective date of coverage.
 Renewals: Payment options vary according to
the premium size and whether the insured
wishes to pay by milk check or an Electronic
Fund Transfer (EFT). (Pass out)

11. Claims Management Process
 Claims are reported to PMA Management Corp. via
internet, fax, telephonically, and mail.
 www.pmamc.com
 Fax # 888-329-2721
 Tel # 888-476-2669
 PO BOX 25250; Lehigh Valley, PA 18002
 Claims are assigned to state specific supervisor and
claims handler for further management
 Based on the jurisdiction, the claim is reviewed, paid,
adjudicated and resolved to closure

12. Claims Management Process
 Claims and Costs are managed via the utilization
of :
 Experienced Claim Professionals (PMA and Gallagher
Bassett)
 Managed Care Programs (Medical Bill Review)
 Expense Management (IMEs, PPO, Rx Program,
Defense Attorneys, and Vocational Rehab)

13. Workers Compensation
Specialist
 Work closely with PMA and Gallagher Bassett to
insure quality, and consistency in claims
handling and account management.
 Quarterly claim reviews with the adjusters, PMA,
and the excess carrier to insure adequate claim
reserves, proactive claim handling and strategic
planning for claim closure.
 Utilization of the claims system of PMA and GB
afford the possibility of complete and real-time
access to our claim files.

14. Workers Compensation
Specialist
 Special Handling Guidelines have been
customized to the needs and demands of our
programs. These guidelines are reviewed
annually and serve as an assurance of claims
management for the TPA.
 Oversight and identification of claims that have
apportionment or second injury relief to assist
with claim mitigation and settlement
opportunities.

15. Workers Compensation
Specialist
 Expense Management
 Utilization of approved attorneys and vendors to assist
with the expense of the claim
 High profile claims are discussed with defense
counsel, claims examiner, excess carriers and AgriServices. By doing this we are able to obtain the best
possible, most cost effective and least litigious
outcome.
 Quarterly review of expenses via allocated loss lines
insures consistency and a quality work product from
our vendors.

16. Loss Control Specialist
 Loss Control Specialist will be reaching out to
the farms and assisting with all aspects of safety
and loss prevention
 Agents will receive copies of all correspondence
and letters of recommendations
 Agents will be notified of all non-compliance
issues and will be expected to be part of the
resolution
 Critical Recommendations will be followed up
on within 24-48 hours to insure compliance
 Loss Reduction is best managed when we are
working together in a partnership.

17. The WC Process in Summation
 Completed Accord Application
 Completed Supplemental Application
 3-5 Yrs of Loss & Premium History
 Underwriting Review
 Loss Control Assessment may be required
 Formal Decision will be provided
 Upon receipt of payment and finalized
paperwork a policy will be issued

18. Questions
 All Questions and Concerns regarding Workers
Compensation Issues should be directed to:
315-433-0100
 Jan Klodowski, Vice President, Ext. 5605
 Trina Hall, Claims & Marketing Mgr. Ext. 5605
 Debbie Hulchanski, Sr. Underwriter, Ext. 5673
 Lee Hipp, Loss Control Specialist, Ext. 5644