NEWS RELEASE

Supplemental Occupational Medical And Disability Benefits

Canton Agency now offers a voluntary, “no fault,” stand alone, supplemental, occupational medical sickness, accident and short term supplemental wage benefit program.  The plan is designed specifically to carve out and cover the interstate railroad’s initial employee (only) occupational exposure. You can keep your current non-occupational benefit plan in place. This limited benefit plan is specifically designed to provide financial protection for the railroad employer and protect the personal credit rating of their employees. This blanket type occupational benefit plan is available for active full and part time employees including employees who have their other non-occupational benefits through their spouse’s benefit plan.  The plan is available through your insurance broker as a supplement and complement to your current non-occupational group employee health plan.   

• The medical benefits provided under the plan are designed to meet the requirements of a supplemental sickness plan with the Railroad Retirement Board and the disability wage benefits are integrated with benefits provided under the Railroad Unemployment Act and the Railroad Retirement Act, if any;
• The railroad pays the total cost of the plan; the rates are based on payroll; and coverage can be provided on an installment audited basis; 
• The full amount of the eligible benefits is reinsured to the selected limits of the Plan yet, the Plan in and of itself is not deemed to be insurance[1] and thus, the benefits paid can not considered “other insurance” under the railroad’s liability insurance;
• Voluntary benefit payments are paid on a “no fault” basis without admission of liability by the railroad and the employee accepts the benefits as a direct payment by the railroad;
• The promise of benefits is made by the benefit trust apart from the sponsoring railroad and are fully reinsured, allowing the railroad to remove estimated or actual railroad’s liability insurance self-insured retention obligation from the railroad’s financial statement;
• Occupational medical claims are discounted, paid early, rather than paying non-discounted billed medical provider charges (plus legal fees) as part of an FELA award.
• Coverage is triggered on an occurrence basis for an agreed period of time to the plan limits and are not otherwise related to the dates of medical service.
• Coverage is provided for annual periods similar to casualty insurance.
• See the attached “typical” occupational benefit schedule.  Higher limits per person are may be available upon request.

Disappoint the plaintiff’s FELA attorneys by taking the bite out of occupational claims up front and any possible FELA award.  Protect the financial status of your railroad and protect your injured and sick employees before they get an attorney.  Have your insurance broker give us a call for a quote and more detailed information.    

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Danielle Powell
410.877.2086
dpowell@cantonagency.com