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TECHNOLOGY ISSUE
The Zenith Z
enith is the premier specialist in workers’ compensation nationally. They combine depth of expertise with a forward-thinking approach to achieve the highest level of service and outcomes for their clients. Zenith is FRLA’s endorsed workers’ compensation carrier. It is a long-term partnership offering much to FRLA members. Zenith has three offices in Florida with the main office located in Sarasota, which specializes in Florida’s hospitality industry. FRLA Editor, Susie McKinley, had an opportunity to speak with Zenith’s Tim Wenzel recently about their workers’ compensation insurance program.
Zenith is different because they have a “people-first” approach. Can you share this approach with readers? Zenith has three customers. First, it is the independent insurance agent selling their products. Second is the policyholder who purchases a Zenith policy (employer). Third is the injured employee receiving benefits from the Zenith policy. Zenith uses a collaborative claims model which sets the company apart from other companies offering this type of coverage. Zenith makes every effort to take care of injured employees. Unlike many companies out there, all employees involved in this process are Zenith employees. When you look at Zenith’s results versus the other carriers in Florida, Zenith’s cost per claim is about half of what you see with the other carriers. To do this, Zenith tries to prevent losses from occurring. Zenith has safety and health consultants who review and assist in making sure workplaces are safe. When a loss does occur, the company’s in-house claims team manages it. The in-house team gets involved very early on in this process. At the center of the team is the claims adjuster, and the rest of the team works alongside that individual. The team includes representatives who provide nursing, legal assistance, physician and pharmacy care. Zenith has found that a team structure like this gives the best possible service to all involved. This 34
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team structure also leads to a lower overall cost of the claim because it is so effective in keeping the employer and the injured employee engaged and knowledgeable about the status of the claim. Zenith encourages injured employees to build a relationship with the adjuster during the process. This is not always that easy to do with other companies. This process is different from other workers’ compensation carriers in that all parties involved are focused on achieving the best outcome for the injured employee, not making a profit from the injured employee. In addition to the claims process, Zenith pays lost earnings to injured employees while they are recovering and waiting to get back to work.
How does Zenith use technology to benefit the claims process? Zenith has an online portal available to the agents and policyholders to assist in tracking what is happening with claims. In addition, Zenith gives injured employees access to Zenith Connect®, a mobile app available in English and Spanish, developed to give “easy access to vital claim information.” With Zenith Connect® employees can: » View payment information » Submit mileage reimbursement requests to Zenith (California and Florida only)
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Our in-house claims management team is focused entirely on ensuring the best outcome for the injured worker, which leads to a lower overall total claim cost and ultimately lower premiums for our policyholders. -Tim Wenzel
» Call their claims examiner, request a call back or send them a secure text message » Check and track upcoming medical appointments » Locate all the doctors connected to the claim » Get directions to the doctor’s office » Receive important notifications from Zenith » Zenith Connect® is one more tool to get employees back to work and keep the cost of claims down. Zenith’s safety, claims and medical management staff understand the unique challenges of the hospitality industry. Zenith is committed to workplace safety and health, quality medical care, managing claim costs, and fighting fraud and abuse. FLORIDA RESTAUR ANT & LOD GING A S SO CIATION
