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Specialty Lines
This year's 30th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool (PCoRP) has led me to reflect a bit. Here's the note I included in the 30th Anniversary booklet we distributed at the PCoRP membership dinner on November 20:
I'm a member of CCAP staff because of PCoRP. Doug Hill and I met while we worked for the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, and after we both moved on from there, he invited me to consult with CCAP when the insurance crisis hit. That work with the Insurance Study Group led to PCoRP's creation, and then Doug asked me to join the CCAP staff to manage PCoRP and the CCAP UC Trust.
When I started in January 1988, CCAP had about 8 staff, and over the next 30 years we grew as Pennsylvania's counties' responsibilities grew. We now number 30 insurance staff and that does not include the finance and other staff who assist us with insurance issues.
It is easy to identify what I have enjoyed the most - the members, the fun of finding solutions to problems, and the great people I have been privileged to work with at CCAP. Who would have ever thought we would see 51 counties agree on the same thing - purchasing their coverages and services from PCoRP! The membership has not only been supportive, they challenge us - seeking help, new programs, new coverage and better services. They and their local insurance producers keep us on our toes!
The CCAP Board of Directors and CCAP management has always supported PCoRP and the other insurance programs, providing us with the tools essential to meet with needs of the PCoRP members.
The staff I get to work with are great! We are all in different phases of learning, and I know together we can solve any matter in a professional way. Even when we have to tell a member some tough news, they know we will provide them with honest information.
PCoRP has been blessed with great board members, people who believe in the program and are willing to learn about risk management, and who can let us know what will work in the county setting, and just as importantly, what won't.
I'm looking forward to working with PCoRP and its members for some more years, and I know it will always be interesting, because with counties and risk management, most days you just can't make this stuff up! Thanks for your support and friendship.
Make sure you contact us when you need help with something,
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Happy Holidays from the CCAP Insurance Staff
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Alexa Arroyo
Ryan Cale
Karen Cohen
Dennis Cutler
Marsha Elmer
Patty Ensminger
Tona Faust
Ginger Galliher
Jewell Hartz
Sara Hazelton
Jeanie Henry
Cathy Hoffman
Brian Holloway
Susan Horne
Danielle Horanic
Jodi Kroski
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Kelly Kyzer
Marian Mark
Danielle McKenna
Maureen McMahon
Gina Mecca
Aubrey Morris
Desiree Nguyen
Ethan Nicholson
Cassandra Piaskowski
Linda Rosito
John Sallade
Andrew Smith
Cassandra Troup
Pam Szajnuk
Jennifer Ulsh
Keith Wentz
Barbara Zemlock
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PCoRP $2 Million Dividend Declared!
PCoRP's members will receive a $2 million dividend distribution this month! The PCoRP Board of Directors approved the dividend based on each member's contributions paid, and claims costs, for the policy years 2005 through 2014. The distribution formula is based on how much each entity contributed to the Loss Fund in those years, less their claims experience. Additionally, to qualify each member must have been a member for the full policy year.
Dividend payments will range from a high of $160,521 to a low of $145. Four members will receive dividends of $100,000 or more. Every member will receive a dividend except for the newest PCoRP members: Blair, Crawford and Washington Counties.
This is the seventh straight year for a PCoRP dividend, and will mean a total of $15 million has been returned to the members over that time. Added to the $1.8 million being expended for the PCoRP Prison Electronic Documentation, and $3.6 million set aside over six years for Loss Prevention Grants, PCoRP has now returned $20.4 million to the membership over the last seven years!
PCoRP members will also receive an email noting their county or county related entity's dividend amount, and the 2016-2017 PCoRP Financial Audit will be attached to that email.
If you have any questions about the dividend, please contact
John Sallade
.
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PComp 2018 Rates Set - Overall Costs Remain the Same
PComp members will see an overall average renewal cost the same as last year, as the PComp board approved 2018 rates at their September 22 meeting. The rates were subsequently approved by the Department of Labor & Industry. The renewal will collect $7,645,696 in premiums from the members, the exact amount collected in 2017.
Each member's costs for 2018 could vary from what was paid in 2017, mainly due to two things: amount of payroll and claims experience. Increases in payroll will increase costs, but the more likely reason for premium increases is a change in member's experience modification (mod). Higher than expected claims increase the mod, which is a multiplier and therefore will increase the premium amount.
Conversely, good claims results pay off when they result in the mod decreasing from the prior year, because this reduces premium.
Overall, the average experience modification for the PComp membership for 2018 will be .932 (and below 1.000 is where you want to be!). PComp member mods for 2018 range from a low of .721 to a high of 2.121. In 2017 the average mod for the entire membership was .945 so overall we are seeing decreased mods.
We sent estimated renewal pricing to all PComp members and their local insurance producers prior to the approval of the rates by L&I. Now that the rates are approved, you will receive a confirmed renewal numbers.
If you have any questions about PComp, please contact
John Sallade
.
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PCoRP Celebrates 30th Anniversary
At the recent CCAP Fall Conference, PCoRP's members joined to celebrate the insurance pool's 30th Anniversary. The theme was "The Power of Partnership." More than 160 representatives from 38 of the 51 PCoRP members attending the Monday night, November 20 dinner meeting.
PCoRP began operations on April 1, 1987 and was created based on request from counties for help in finding liability and other insurance coverages, resulting from a crisis in public entity insurance options.
Each member county received a framed PCoRP 30th Anniversary plaque noting their entry date into the program. Attendees received a 30th Anniversary portfolio and a copy of the PCoRP 30th Anniversary booklet.
In addition to recognizing the partnership with PCoRP's members, PCoRP also honored the following companies and individuals for their service to PCoRP and its members:
CRL - County Reinsurance, Ltd.
Phil Bell, Executive Director
PCoRP Liability Reinsurer
Travelers Property Casualty
Wayne Robertson, Regional VP, National Property
Rosemary Wuestefeld, Account Executive Officer, National Property
PCoRP Property and Crime insurance Reinsurer
JonesPassodelis
Marie Milie Jones, and
Newman Williams
Gerry Geiger
Representing PCoRP's Defense Counsels
Little & Nelson Insurance
Chris Caterson, and
Beaver Insurance Group
Cliff Beaver
Representing PCoRP Members' Local Insurance Producers
Liscord, Ward & Roy
John Hanna
PCoRP's Actuary
Willis Re Pooling
John Hayden, Senior Vice President
Colleen Shaner, Assistant Vice President, Senior Account Executive
PCoRP's Reinsurance Broker
CCAP
Harlan Shober, CCAP President, Washington County Commissioner
Doug Hill, Executive Director
For their investment of time and resources to create PCoRP.
If you have any questions about the PCoRP annual membership meeting, please contact
John Sallade
.
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Hot Topics
Law Enforcement Dogs
We are seeing more counties with law enforcement dogs in their Sheriff's Office. This does raise several issues. CCAP's PCoRP program covers the dogs for liability, should the county be sued, for example, if the dog bit someone. PCoRP also covers the dogs as property, and if the dog is injured or killed while performing law enforcement activities, PCoRP would pay for their medical care. If the dog is killed in performance of law enforcement activities, PCoRP would pay to replace the dog. Counties which are not in PCoRP should talk to their insurer about what coverage they have for law enforcement dogs.
Here's something else that comes up - the dogs are almost always working with one specific officer (handler). What if that handler is a county sheriff deputy, but also contracts to work with the dog for other non-county agencies? When this happens, the county needs to be sure their dog is covered by the contracting agency for liability while working for that agency, and that the handler's workers' compensation costs would be borne by the contracting agency. So a contract between the county and the contracting agency is essential!
For more information, please contact
Karen Cohen
at CCAP.
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CCAP Health Alliance Members - A Message from the Delaware Valley Trust
We are very excited to announce the launch of the Delaware Valley Trusts' (DVT) new website:
www.dvtrusts.com
. Earlier in the year, the Trusts undertook a strategic marketing and communications assessment to update our business strategy, assess the competitive landscape and most importantly, better understand member needs. The results of this effort helped inform the design of the new website and user experience priorities.
The most important objective for the new site was to make it easier for you, our members, to access the information you frequently need. In addition, the website is the primary public facing resource for prospective members. So, the website is divided into a public facing section and a gated member section only accessible to our membership.
Access to the website's Member Resources is simple. Employees covered under the DVHT health plan can log onto
www.dvtrusts.com
, click "Login" and enter your email address and password to access our Member Resources. If you are new to the DVHT health plan or are an employee who had an account under the old "
www.dvit.com
" website, please log onto
www.dvtrusts.com
, click "Register" and create a new user login account. Once your account is verified, you will receive a confirmation email to log in. Once logged in, employees can access Health Trust resources such as wellness program information and forms.
Along with a fresh website, the Trusts have developed new branding to reflect the interrelationship of the three Trusts. The new branding is designed to honor the Trusts' origins while positioning it for the future. The new logo of the Delaware Valley Trusts mimics the familiar DVMMA column logo which connotes strength, reliability and security. It also includes three colors corresponding to the three individual trust logos. Just like our business, the family of brands can each stand on their own but they join together to form the Delaware Valley Trusts family logo.
The DVT staff are very grateful to be a part of an excellent member-based organization. We pledge to always work to best serve you, those that serve the communities in which we live, work and play.
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Naloxone
What is naloxone?
Naloxone is a prescription medicine that reverses opioid or heroin overdoses. It was approved by the FDA in 1971 and has been used successfully in emergency rooms and ambulances for decades. Naloxone is also know by brand names, Narcan and Evzio. When administered, individuals may experience symptoms of opioid withdrawal but naloxone has no other adverse side-effects and is non-addictive.
How do I get naloxone?
Family and friends can access this medication by obtaining a prescription from their family doctor or by using the standing order, which is a prescription written for the general public. The standing order is kept on file at many pharmacies or can be downloaded before arrival.
How does naloxone work?
Naloxone works within minutes to restore breathing in people overdosing on opiate drugs by blocking opiate receptors and essentially reversing the effects of opioid drugs and restores breathing within two to eight minutes. It is absolutely essential that the overdosed patient be quickly taken for emergency medical care and additional doses of naloxone may be required before arrival to a medical facility. Naloxone can be administered either through injection or a nasal spray.
How do I administer naloxone?
Speak with your healthcare provider or risk control specialist. Individuals giving this medication should take the online training ahead of time. Training is available at one of the Department of Health approved training sites. These easy to understand trainings explain how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, what to do in the event of an overdose and instruct how to give naloxone. While it is not necessary to obtain a training certificate in order to purchase naloxone, learning the important details will help you respond properly in the event of an overdose.
http://www.getnaloxonenow.org/
Does insurance cover naloxone?
Insurance companies vary in how they cover naloxone and other drugs used to treat an opioid overdose. Check with your insurance carrier to find out, if yes, what form of naloxone is covered and any cost-sharing amounts that may apply under the policy.
Treatment for drug abuse and addiction is available! To find drug and alcohol treatment services, dial 1-800-4357 (HELP) or contact your local Single County Authority. For more information or to get the contact information for your local office visit:
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New Invoicing System - Sage Email
Effective January 1, 2018 all CCAP Insurance Program invoices will be sent out via email instead of by mail. This email invoicing will be sent for PCoRP and PComp members for their premiums, PIMCC membership billing, PACAH Bonds, Public Official Bonds, Tax Collectors and Volunteers.
The screenshot below is how the email will appear in your inbox. Please note that the invoice email will be sent from "Sage Email" and if you receive this email, it is safe to open. Also, be sure to make sure that this email is not sent to your junk folder.
If you have any questions about this new process, please contact Sara Hazleton.
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2018 CCAP Center for Excellence in County Leadership
Strong leadership is essential to county success and future growth. The CEL Program offers county commissioners or council members, chief clerks, county administrators and solicitors in Pennsylvania's 67 counties the opportunity to be immersed in an intensive leadership curriculum which will enhance personal and professional growth. The program features curriculum including managerial versatility, interpersonal dynamics, crisis communication, media management, problem solving, decision making and more.
The two and a half-day intensive program will be held at the CCAP office in Harrisburg on June 13 - 15, 2018. We invite you to explore this exciting educational opportunity offered exclusively by the
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP).
Participation is available to one eligible person per county per year, with a maximum of 16 participants per year. Application is required by January 15, 2018 to be considered for participation in the June 2018 session.
We invite you to be involved in this exciting program!
Please feel free to contact CCAP directly with questions.
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New Associate Members
Northwoods Consulting Partners
Consulting, Technology
Northwoods' only focus is helping state and county human services agencies increase client service levels and productivity while cutting costs - allowing them to do more with less. By providing all the right tools in the office and the field, Northwoods' solutions eliminate duplicative work and reduce stress. Time-consuming tasks are automated, helping social workers have more time to accomplish their mission: protecting families.
Pro Tech Auto Glass
Other
Mobile auto, truck and bus glass replacement and heavy equipment glass fabricating - WBEC Certified, PA Department of General Services Certificated, Business Partner 011309 DBE PA Certification.
The Panto Group, LLC
Human Services, Technology
Panto Group (TPG) provides strategic business analysis and project management with broad experience in HealthChoices Medicaid managed care and county human services programs. TPG offers expertise in county administrative operations, healthcare technology solutions, systems implementation, and human resource organizational change. We also provide professional consulting services to healthcare providers and managed care organizations. TPG is the right choice to simplify your complex world.
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Upcoming Events
Wednesday, January 24
PCoRP Retreat and Board Meeting
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey
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Quote of the Month
"For eleven months and maybe about twenty days each year, we concentrate upon the shortcomings of others, but for a few days at the turn of the New Year we look at our own. It is a good habit."
- Arthur Hays Sulzberger
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