Workers Compensation Insurance for Outpatient Services

Workers’ compensation insurance provides employees benefits for work‐related injuries or illnesses including medical care, wages from lost time at work and more like financial benefits for deceased workers’ families. In the event that a worker’s family decides to sue the company, it can also help cover the related legal fees.

Outpatient services are medical procedures or tests that can be done in a medical center without an overnight stay. Many procedures and tests can be done in a few hours. Outpatient services include:

– Wellness and prevention, such as counseling and weight‐loss programs

– Diagnosis, such as lab tests and MRI scans

– Treatment, such as some surgeries and chemotherapy

– Rehabilitation, such as drug or alcohol rehab and physical therapy

Due to the variety of services performed, employees at outpatient facilities are prone to risks involved with providing basic healthcare.

Some of the most common types of injuries suffered by Outpatient workers include:

Sprains and strains – OSHA data suggests that sprains and strains are the most frequently reported injury among healthcare workers. Most strains and sprains affect the shoulders and the lower back.

Slipped discs – Body mechanics when transferring or lifting patients can damage the discs.

Bloodborne infectious diseases – The CDC indicates that needlesticks significantly increase the risk of spreading bloodborne diseases such as HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis B or C.

Infections – These infections can occur as a result of airborne pathogens or exposure to mucus and bodily waste.

Broken bones – Fractures most commonly result from workplace violence.

Head injuries – These may occur due to slip‐and‐falls or as a result of violence.

Failure to have workers’ comp insurance for your Outpatient employee is an offense that is punishable by the law. An employer can be fined thousands of dollars depending on the state they operate in. If an employer who runs an outpatient service is found negligent, they may even face prison time in some instances.

There is also financial loss due to a lawsuit in the event that an employee is injured on the job because of, for example, a fall and receive a head injury. Employers can pay large medical bills out of pocket if they do not have workers’ compensation. The expenses related to a lawsuit due to a work-related injury can even put the owner of an outpatient facility out of business.

The benefits of workers compensation insurance include:

Medical expenses ‐ Workers’ Compensation insurance provides coverage to help your employee pay for medical expenses sustained from a work‐related injury or illness. This can include emergency room visits, necessary surgeries, and prescriptions.

Wage Replacement ‐ Workers’ compensation helps replace some of your employee’s lost income if they need time off to recover from a work‐related injury or illness.

Death Benefits ‐ If your employee loses their life from a work‐related incident, workers’ compensation insurance can help cover their funeral costs and provide death benefits to your employee’s beneficiaries.

A class code is assigned by the National Council of Compensation Insurance (NCCI) or by state agencies based on the activities of the occupation.

There are many different workers’ comp class codes within the outpatient services segment. Below are a few of the most common class codes used:

Code 8832: Physicians – Off-Site Operations – All Employees

Code 8810: Clerical Office Employees NOC

Despite the variability in most states, all insurance companies base Workers’ Compensation premiums on the amount of payroll an employer has as well as how dangerous the work is. Some larger employers will be impacted by their past claims experience with premium credits for low claim experience and increased premiums for those with more claims. The cost of workers’ compensation can range from US$700 to US$2,000 annually in most healthcare fields including outpatient services. However, this is largely based on the company and the number of employees.

UnderWrite Insurance Services is a national insurance agency established to help outpatient service centers secure A-rated workers’ compensation insurance. For a free insurance quote, submit an application below or give us a call at 201-580-6806.