Producer Line                 
News for our agent partners                                                                                           Winter 2016
A. M Best
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On the Move
Promotions
Joan Adelman Joan Adelman was recently promoted to Assistant Vice President of Legal Services for Chesapeake Employers Insurance. In addition to continuing to practice before the Workers' Compensation Commission, Joan is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Legal department, including supervision of attorneys. Joan also oversees the Legal department's appellate practice. Prior to her new position, Joan was Director of Legal Services. Joan joined the company in 1998.
 

Brian Furr
Brian Furr was recently promoted to Assistant Vice President of Legal Services-Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and Premium Audit for Chesapeake Employers Insurance. In this position, Brian is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the SIU and Premium Audit departments. Prior to his new position, Brian was the Director of Maryland Claims, including the State Employees Risk Management Administration (SERMA) function. Before that, he was Director of Health Services. Brian joined the company in 1992.

Transfer

Ashley Layfield
Ashley Layfield was recently promoted to Quality Assurance Analyst and transferred from the Marketing department to the company's Project Office. In this position, Ashley is responsible for writing test plans and scripts for tracking defects and fixes in product development, software application development, information systems, and operations systems. Ashley joined Chesapeake Employers in 2011.

Dear Agent Partner,     
  
A.M. Best Reaffirms Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) for Chesapeake Employers Insurance

Tom Phelan A.M. Best Co. has reaffirmed a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of "a-" for Chesapeake Employers' Insurance Company as of February 17, 2016. The outlook assigned by A.M. Best to both ratings is stable. ( Click here to be taken to A.M. Best's Ratings and Criteria Center).

"This rating reflects our continued efforts to build our financial strength and boost our management capabilities," said Tom Phelan, President and CEO of Chesapeake Employers' Insurance Company. "Financial strength, dedication to Maryland business owners and agents, technology, and underwriting discipline continue to be the focus of Chesapeake Employers Insurance. This coveted rating by A.M. Best affirms to us that our strategy is sound."

In October 2013, Chesapeake Employers transitioned from an independent state agency to a non-stock, not for profit, private insurance company and received its first financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) that same year.

2016 Overall Base Rates Decrease 1.5 Percent
Effective February 1, 2016, Chesapeake Employers decreased base rates by 1.5 percent. On an individual class level, 340 of Green arrowthe 569 base rates experienced a decrease for 2016. Several classes of business received rate cuts, some between 10 and 20 percent.

Please refer to Producer Bulletin MK 15 04, dated December 9, 2015, for information concerning:
  • Rate changes
  • Class code changes
  • Chesapeake Employers' specific classifications
  • New data mining tiers
  • 2016 experience rating plan
  • Payroll limitations
  • New safety group; and more

The bulletin and the 2016 rates are available on the Agent eServices webpage at www.ceiwc.com.
 

New Kit Offers Tools, Tips to Help Your Clients
Creating a Return-to-Work Program Sharing is caring. Now you can help your clients create a Return-to-Work program simply by sharing Chesapeake Employers' recently updated and expanded information kit.

Understanding how to create a Return-to-Work program and help injured employees get back to work as soon as medically possible has never been easier, thanks to this newly revised kit.

Employers can request this information by emailing publications@ceiwc.com or download specific parts of the kit from Chesapeake Employers'  website.
  
Video:  Exposing Opioid Use & Abuse in Comp
"Opioid dependence has become an epidemic in today's society," explained Tom Phelan, Chesapeake Employers' President and CEO, when he appeared on WMAR-TV's Maryland Spotlight on December 20, 2015.
Tom Phelan MD Spotlight 2015
His interview with Kim Knight provides viewers with an overview of a national epidemic that is affecting all facets of our society, including Maryland's workers who have been injured on the job.
 
Watch this 3-minute interview and learn how Maryland's workers' compensation insurance system has become the latest battleground in the fight against opioid dependence.

First Aid, CPR/AED Training Available
First Aid CPR Training
As a value-added service to our policyholders, Chesapeake Employers Insurance is again offering first aid and CPR/AED training.

All trainings will be held at Chesapeake Employers in Towson and are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

2016 training dates: 
  • May 11, 2016
  • August 10, 2016
  • November 9, 2016
Training is free. However, the cost for training materials is approximately $13 per participant.

Click here to view the training flyer and for registration details.

Policyholder Seminars Help Your Clients Understand Workers' Comp
Chesapeake Employers will host four policyholder seminars in 2016. The seminars will focus on workers' compensation insurance issues affecting business owners and their employees.

2016 Policyholder Seminar

Preliminary agenda highlights include:
  • Update from President and CEO, Tom Phelan, on transitioning to NCCI rates, Other States coverage, and other corporate changes
  • Best practices in employment law
  • Preparing for a premium audit
  • Benefits of creating a Return-to-Work program
  • Claims management 101
  • Legal Discussion
  • Mock workers' compensation commission hearing

Dates and locations:

  • April 28, 2016. Hilton Garden Inn, White Marsh
  • May 20, 2016. Hyatt Regency, Cambridge
  • October 13, 2016. BWI Marriott, Linthicum
  • November 10, 2016. Hilton Garden Inn, Rockville/Gaithersburg

The seminars are free, but online reservations are required. Executive continental breakfast and refreshments will be provided. Please share this information with your clients and encourage them to attend. For more information and to register for the April 28, 2016 seminar, click here.

 

Chesapeake Employers' Insurance Company| (410) 494-2000 | 1-800-264-4943 
  Visit our website |8722 Loch Raven Blvd. |Towson, MD 21286