Retro freeze is on the way
If you’re in construction or transportation, listen up! The freeze date for the following Retro groups will be here before we know it:
- SMART Dream Team
- SMART A Team
- PITB Transportation
What’s a Freeze Date? Read our Washington workers’ comp freeze dates explained
April 2 is the day, and while that may seem like a long time from now, there’s a lot to get done! Our aim is to get claims costs as low as possible before the Freeze. Remember, the lower the claims costs at Freeze, the bigger the potential refund for your Retro group.
If you have open claims, then your Approach retro coordinator will be contacting you to:
- Get all injured employees back on the job in a light-duty position that’s within the restrictions listed on the Activity Prescription Form
- Extend formal job offers to injured employees
- Submit light-duty job descriptions to attending providers for approval
- Schedule closing rating examinations
Washington workers’ comp and COVID-19
Many transportation workers have been on the job throughout the pandemic, while construction was one of the first industries to get back to work. L&I has confirmed that allowed coronavirus workers’ compensation claims will not impact rates or Retro refunds, so COVID-19 will not have any direct impacts on the Freeze date.
The most important thing your company can do is follow industry guidance for COVID-19 to keep workers safe and reduce the risk of fines in the event of a workplace safety inspection.
Claim closure to-do’s for April
For claims that aren’t related to COVID-19, remember that those costs will affect your rates and refunds, no matter if they were filed before or during the pandemic. It’s more important than ever to bring your injured employees back to work on a temporary or permanent basis, so that your workers’ comp costs are as low as possible while your business manages the impacts of COVID-19.
Be sure to contact your Approach retro coordinator right away if anything changes in the status of your injured employee. It’s critical that we get the claim file updated promptly so that we’re in the best possible position for Freeze.
