Payroll renewal forms are in the process of being prepared for the January 1, 2021 renewal. While it seems like January is far off in the future, the renewal process begins months ahead of time. Once you receive the renewal form to update your payroll and locations please complete it to the best of your ability and return it to us promptly. If you have questions on completing the form, contact Glenda Moyle at Glenda.Moyle@mtmic.com or (248) 715-0015. 

Each year, we have an election for the MTMIC Board of Directors positions. Once a Director is elected they hold a three year term to serve the policyholders of the company and with that being said, we are preparing for our upcoming election. Ballots will be sent out next month and the Directors that are up for re-election are the following:

• Bobby Cox – President of Acorn Stamping
• Gerald (Jerry) Decker – President of Precision Boring Company
• John Moll – Retired, Gemini Group
• Teena Kowalski, Director of Finance, Repair Clinic 

By Chris Demeter, Senior Loss Control Consultant

While everyone loves to relax and enjoy vacations in the warm climates, someone who has to perform vigorous tasks in the hot environment is at risk. Over the years, I have learned to schedule certain accounts such as heat-treat, metal plating, foundries, and forging operations in the cooler months. Even though I am not in a hotshop for an entire shift, I would prefer not to break out in a sweat and then go to my next account. Heat stress can overcome anyone who does not properly acclimate themselves to the heat or watch for the signs and symptoms that may alert them to possible heat stress disorders. Informing employees of all risk factors and heat stress disorders that they may encounter and how to avoid serious complications can greatly reduce the risk of serious injury or death. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 600 people in the United States die by extreme heat every year. Some people are more at risk of developing a heat-related illness, including adults age 65 and older, those with chronic medical conditions, people who work outside, infants and children and athletes.

Second Quarter 2020 – Who Would Have Guessed?

The changes we have all made in the last 90 days are mind-boggling. We are accustomed to changes in work product and production, so change is a part of our DNA. However, in my last 48 years of being in the insurance industry, I cannot come up with any time with the degree of change as we have had in the last 90 days. When I think back to the February MTM Board and Committee meetings, we were reviewing 2019 results. The discussions were great – how much could the member dividend be? What will the payment disbursement plan look like? A week later, the first week of March, MTM staff produced 923 member dividend checks with the delivery process to start a few days later. After the first week or so of check deliveries shops closed, signs were up, and the news media scared us all. These were not little changes, everything we did changed, business and personal. As time went by, for some one of the most desired personal items was to get a haircut. I can’t remember an anniversary dinner where I treated my lovely bride to a drive through dinner at Taco Bell. For those that are curious, I did not get any brownie points for that fantastic 45th anniversary dinner.

By Travis Halsted, ARM, COSS, Loss Control Consultant

While writing this article, I took a few moments to reflect on the obstacles that the COVID-19 pandemic has provided for our policyholders. 2020 has provided us with one of the most challenging health exposures that most companies will ever face. Words such as social distancing, masks, virus, shutdown and stay at home will never have the same meanings for our country. I have spoken with many of you and have heard how this has affected you on a profound personal and business level. These have been trying times, but I am very pleased that this article will be reaching a much larger percentage of our policyholders than in the last couple of months. I can speak for the entire Loss Control Department when I say that we are thrilled to start policyholder visits again. With the Governor’s last order, employers are faced with several new COVID-19 requirements. These requirements cover topics that include training, screening, facility controls and exposures. One of the major parts of the COVID-19 back to work plan is the development and implementation of a COVID-19 Response Plan and screening protocol. As each of the new requirements can lead to more questions than answers, MTMIC has developed a Best Practices Manual and back to work checklist to assist you with meeting the requirements. The MTMIC Portal has these documents and several other COVID-19 related items available for your use. The next few sections are topics that are covered within the new requirements. 

By Megan Brown, ARM, CWCP, CAWCVice President of Sales & Marketing

We have recently redesigned the MTMIC website to allow for easier navigation as well as an updated look. An area has been added on the Contact Us page so you now have the ability to securely upload any documents that you need to get to us. Of course, this functionality is still available in the Claims section of the portal for uploading claim specific medical documentation. The Resources page has a number of documents that pertain to COVID-19 as well as other State and Federal forms. We have also added a link at the bottom of the website so that at any time you can tell us how we are doing. Click the link “How Are We Doing?” to let us know your thoughts.

The video training section of the MTMIC portal has been enhanced with a brand-new video library. We have over 730 videos with corresponding testing documents in multiple languages that cover topics such as:

• COVID-19
• America With Disabilities Act
• Drug & Alcohol Abuse in the Workplace
• Emergency Preparedness
• Ergonomics: Working from Home
• Workplace Stress: The Basics

The video library has a section announcing new releases and is sorted by the various types of training. At the end of each training, Certificates of Completion are available for your training files. If you do not have access to our portal or have a training that you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact us at sales@mtmic.com. Check on the new website and/or training videos and let us know what you think.

Did you know that MTM has the ability to provide coverage for your out of state payroll/locations through a partner company? If you have a facility outside the state of Michigan, contact us at sales@mtmic.com to get a quote. 

The last 10 weeks has been most interesting. Years ago, I was in an unusual situation of being able to have dinner with Yogi Berra and two of his sons in New Jersey. It was a couple of evenings of fascinating discussion. After the first dinner, I read up more about Yogi and many of his famous common-sense quotes. One of my favorites was, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” It seems to apply so precisely to our last 10 weeks. Even with all the turmoil in life, the focus of MTM as always remains on what can we do to help our members. Let me cover two big items during the last 10 weeks.

By Donna Motley, Vice President of Claims

As we slowly attempt to return to our former lives (I’m not going to say “return to normal” because, let’s face it, I doubt things will ever be what we considered “normal” in the past), there will certainly be challenges that need to be met. MTMIC was fully functional during the “stay safe” order. Challenges were met in making sure injured workers received appropriate care and treatment. Telemedicine and Teletherapy were utilized. Nurse Case Managers were not allowed to attend appointments of those physicians that were continuing to see patients in person, so they would have a follow-up conference with the injured worker and the physician’s office and obtain the required paperwork for our department. However, for the most part, physicians were reluctant to do more than keep the injured worker “status quo” while utilizing Telemedicine. Teletherapy was a little more effective, as the therapist could actually watch and respond to the injured worker while maneuvers were performed. A few injured workers did advise they “preferred” in person therapy and returned (under CDC guidelines) as soon as they were allowed.

With the current changes that we are seeing on a weekly basis, the MTMIC Loss Control staff have put together a Best Work Practices During COVID-19 guide. If you have questions regarding this guide or anything related to COVID-19, please contact us at losscontrol@mtmic.com. 

We are anticipating moving forward with our 2020 Annual Members meeting on October 22, 2020 but will remain flexible as requirements change as a result of COVID-19. MTMIC is pleased to announce that John Walsh, President of the Michigan Manufacturers Association will be our featured speaker this year.

What a crazy time we live in. Everything is different. In just the last two months our personal lives, business lives, and staffing have all changed. Hard to believe that the world was normal just 60 days ago. In January, we were all dealing with “normal” business challenges. In February, the Board reviewed 2019 financials and declared a $4.5 million dividend to MTM member-owners. Dividend check deliveries began Tuesday, March 3rd and 10 days later by Governor’s Executive Order, the process was halted. Like some of you, I have been in business for over 45 years. I’ve seen many ups and downs, yet this business challenge is different.

During this shutdown, MTM is remaining fully functional and here’s what we are doing for our members:

By Ruth Kiefer, MSc, ARM, Vice President of Loss Control

My team and I have been trying to keep up with these crazy times and have developed a tool-kit on our portal to help assist you with this event. The MTMIC Loss Control Department is eager to assist you with providing a safe workplace for your current employees. To help you with this, we have developed Best Practices for protecting your employees, a medical check log, and have tried to clear the interpretation of how to report Covid-19 on your 300s if any employees test positive for the virus.

By Donna Motley, Vice President of Claims

By the time you are reading this, it is hoped that we are slowly getting back to “normal”, or at least our regular routine. The last couple of months have seen some employers reduce staff, temporarily shut down and/or even close their doors permanently. Once everyone is able to return to work, will everyone still have a job? Will business increase to make up for the lost time and revenue? It is anyone’s guess.

By John Karlen, CPCU, APA, ARe, President

As MTM president, I report to the members of the MTM Board of Directors. Our Board members have a variety of skill sets. Some are MTM business owners and others are MTM member CFOs or Risk Managers. All are results-driven, which forms good benefits and returns for all 932 MTM members. The staff is reminded constantly that MTM only exists for the benefit of the MTM members. MTM has no outside investors or shareholders to worry about.

For the past 5 years, we have been delivering MTM member dividend checks most often in person to our members. This year we began hand delivering dividend checks on Tuesday, March 3rd and all seemed normal through Friday, March 13th. Nearly half of our dividends were delivered in this first 10 days.

Then due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus government orders were given to close all group venues: athletic clubs, theaters, all concerts, sporting events. On Monday, March 16th there were additional orders closing restaurants and banning gatherings where more than 50 people would be in attendance. On Friday, March 13th I had 18 deliveries. I was greeted with all smiles, many pictures, two shop tours, life was close to normal. Over the weekend rumors abounded that government orders would come Monday announcing the closure of restaurants/bars, theaters, athletic events and any event with more than 50 people in attendance. On Monday I had 11 deliveries scheduled. Still greeted by grateful members, but no handshakes, 3 office managers “can you slide the check under the door”. It was a watershed experience. New conditions were affecting everything. As I drove back from the day deliveries, I got with MTM management and office staff. We needed to change directions quickly so that money would be delivered to members as soon as possible.

A revised plan of express mailing to members was developed on Tuesday, March 17th. On Wednesday March 18th, the express envelopes were on their way. Many times, I have written that delivering member dividends is the best part of my job. This year it seems mailing is the correct answer for the present situation. We all have had to make significant adjustments to our work and life activities. This is the time where getting the MTM dividends to members quickly and efficiently is most needed. With that in mind combined with the reduction in social contact, we are mailing your MTM dividend. While most of our shops remain operating, it is more complicated and concerning. A common call we are getting from shop owners and office managers is whether or not COVID -19 is covered by Workers’ Compensation. Included in this newsletter is a very good non-legal worded article about COVID-19 and Workers’ Compensation. Our thanks to the author Chris Boggs for sharing this with our members. Stay healthy and safe. And of course, call me with any questions.

By Chris Boggs, CPCU, ARM, ALCM, LPCS, AAI, APA, CWCA, CRIS, AINS

Published with the author’s permission.

A pandemic is defined as, an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.” Although the media lives by the motto, If it bleeds, it leads,” declaring a pandemic anytime more than a few people contract a virus, this time even the World Health Organization (WHO) is warning of possible Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Coronavirus expert, Professor Gabriel Leung, Chair of Public Health at Hong Kong University, says that unchecked, the virus could infect 60 percent of the global population meeting the definition of a pandemic.

My intent is not to accuse the media of sensationalism, nor to intimate that WHO is overreacting (I don’t think they are); my purpose is to answer the question, what makes an illness an occupational illness” and thus compensable under workers’ compensation? More specifically, how does or might workers’ compensation respond to the Coronavirus?

Mark your calendars now so that you are sure to join us on Thursday, October 22, 2020.

More information will be available as we get closer so watch this newsletter and your mail for complete details as they are available!!

In the past I’ve written about the Michigan State Workers’ Compensation Experience Rating Modification. This is the state’s individual promulgated employer experience for every Michigan employer. Here is a couple things I have not shared with you about the experience modification. First, the experience modification was developed by a state nonprofit group called Compensation Advisory Organization of Michigan (CAOM). This agency was set up in 1944 and is funded by a service fee on insurance companies who write workers’ compensation in the State of Michigan. Each insurance company in Michigan is required to submit to CAOM payroll and loss data for each Michigan employer so that the agency can work up the individual employer’s experience modification. CAOM issues over 80,000 experience modifications every year. While MTM shows your experience modification on your policy and then also on the end of your year-end audit, if anyone requests it, we are happy to send you a copy of your individual experience mod worksheet. That worksheet shows the last experience in payroll and claims for three years of your company history.

CAOM has a Board of Governors. This Board has representatives from the State Insurance Department and leading workers’ compensation carriers in Michigan. MTM has the good fortune to be one of those lead carriers and our own Chris Doebler, who has been responsible for the financial reporting of MTM and the former MTA Workers’ Comp Fund for over 30 years and MTM’s CFO since 2013, is the representative for MTM and its members. Having Chris on the Board gives MTM members influence and insight into the Michigan Workers’ Comp Employer Rating System. On behalf of MTM and our members, thank you, Chris, for representing us.

2020 Dividend

Consistent with the last six years, the February MTM Board Meeting was filled with good news for MTM members. Last year the Board approved $4.5 million in member dividends and the dividend this year is the same. Over the last six years the member dividends have totaled $22.5M. Also like last year, there are three major dividend components.

• A dividend was declared as a loyalty dividend in which all members participate.
• A second dividend was declared for Association members that had a three year loss ratio that beats the MTM company loss ratio.
• If a member’s dividend does not meet a minimum using 1. And 2. above, a minimum dividend applies.

These three components are used to calculate the dividend and one check is issued. Interestingly of the known 932 current members, we had 926 number of dividend checks issued. Only a handful of new members with effective dates of January 1, 2020 or after, did not get a dividend check in this cycle.

The member dividend checks are to be printed by March 1 and delivery started immediately. In fact, by the time you get this newsletter we should have already started the delivery process. As I said before, delivering member dividend checks is the best part of my job and I will be on the road beginning March 2nd. In the next newsletter we’ll have some of the member dividend pictures.

One other piece of good news. At the February Board meeting the Board also approved some increased credits and reduced rates. These will automatically apply on your next MTM policy.

Now I will get back to setting my delivery routes. And I will see you soon.