‘CompServices: They Address Problems’
SEPTA Wins National Worker’s Compensation Award;
Credits Partnership with CSI for Superior Program
Philadelphia, PA – November 20, 2003 – The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has been named public-sector winner of the 2003 Best Workers’ Compensation and Disability Program by Risk & Insurance magazine. The award is being presented tonight at the 12th annual National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference in Chicago.
The award is given annually to the program that demonstrates a comprehensive approach to workers’ compensation and disability management, resulting in significant cost savings and return-to-work results.
SEPTA officials credited their partnership with CompServices, Inc. (CSI), the transportation system’s third-party benefits administrator (TPA), with helping them achieve the national recognition. CSI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Independence Blue Cross, operates as an established workers’ compensation TPA and Medical Management Provider in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It also provides workers’ compensation insured programs under AmeriHealth Casualty Insurance Company.
Risk & Insurance Magazine cited SEPTA for its long-term commitment to improving the quality and results of its workers’ comp and disability program.
“We strategize together and work together,” says Yolanda Romero, SEPTA’s Director of Workers’ Compensation, of the authority’s relationship with CSI. “Our strong working relationship is probably is the number one reason [for our success].
“We never had a problem we couldn’t work out,” Romero added. “That’s what I liked most about CSI: they address problems and we dealt with it together.”
“We’re honored that SEPTA and CSI have been recognized in this national award,” said Don Liskay, President and CEO of CompServices, Inc. “This certainly exemplifies CSI’s commitment to high quality service to our clients.” This is the second time in the past six years that a CSI customer has won this prestigious award.
SEPTA switched to CSI, a third-party administrator, in 1999. Since that time, SEPTA has enjoyed significant savings: Its expenses dropped from $20.7 million in 1999 to $12.8 million by June 2003 and the number of open claims plunged 43.4 percent from 1,008 cases to 570 cases.
The Program’s unique characteristic draw is its capitated medical program. Under this model, the amount of medical expenses is capped each year. If the medical expenses are less than the capitated amount, the unspent amount is split evenly between CSI and SEPTA as an experience refund.
“CompServices has a tremendous product in the capitated medical program,” Romero said. “And, its claims system allows everything to work in harmony.”
SEPTA shares the award with the private-sector winner, IBM. Over fifty applicants from the public and private sector entered the national award program.
