About Human Resources
Risk Management Division
MISSION/Program Description
THE MISSION OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT DIVISION IS TO PROTECT FROM AND
MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF UNPREDICTABLE CASUALTY LOSSES ON THE PERSONNEL,
PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSETS OF THE BOROUGH AND SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TO
COORDINATE, PROMOTE AND MONITOR EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The Division
manages the Borough and School District’s self-insured programs for
employee health, property, general and auto liability and workers’
compensation; obtains insurance coverage for the Borough, School
District, Fire and Road Service Districts; maintains databases for
employee health benefits, self-insured claims, student injuries,
facility incidents and for contractor insurance certificates; provides
occupational health and safety services to Borough and School District
and administers Borough employee benefit programs (deferred
compensation, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program,
employment-related medical exams).
Major Long-Term Issues and Concerns
The Borough is an active consumer in the commercial excess insurance
market. This requires particular attention to market conditions and the
regulatory environment. It requires long term planning and periodic
adjustments in budget and self-insurance levels. Insurance prices are
stable for 2010 as a result of unprecedented economic circumstances.
Employee benefits are the focus of federal health care reform. The State
legislature is expected to authorize a new calculation for workers’
compensation medical payments. Monitoring and complying with the changes
requires on-going effort. The proprietary claim system is maintained by
a local sole proprietor. Need to identify alternate servicer or
replacement system for long term contingency.
Objectives for FY 2011
- In coordination with the Accounting division, evaluate the need for and benefits of establishing a fund which provides a mechanism for tracking costs by line of coverage and allows unexpended insurance appropriations to be retained from year-to-year to offset future increases.
- Provide staff support to labor/management wellness committee to expand employee wellness program to include health coaching vendor services.
- Continue to work with the Borough Labor Management Health Care Committee, the School District Joint Committee on Health Benefits and the Health Care Coalition to manage employee health claim costs.
- Identify and implement medical service purchasing programs to reduce costs for self-insured claims.
- Comply with federal reporting requirements for claims by potential Medicare beneficiaries.
- Assimilate occupational health and safety functions transferred from Emergency Operations.
- Continue development of Return to Work programs.