It’s no secret workers’ compensation costs can be a large budget-eater for businesses of all sizes. Some insurance carriers, including Integrity, offer nurse triage as a solution to help customers control and minimize these costs.
How does a nurse triage program work?
Nurse triage is an injury hotline which allows employers to respond to workplace injuries at the most critical point—the day the injury happens. A licensed Medcor Teletriage nurse, specially trained in occupational health, works to determine the most effective course of action after an injury, either providing self-care instruction or directing the individual to an appropriate level of care. Nurses are not influenced by claims or litigation strategies, ensuring that decisions prioritize worker health and the integrity of the employer’s safety program.
When should I utilize nurse triage services?
If an injury or illness occurs and you’re unsure what kind of medical care to seek, calling the hotline can be a good place to start. If your injury is severe, the triage nurse may advise you to call an ambulance or go to the hospital.
Triage nurses can help you treat a variety of injuries, including:
- Minor cuts and abrasions
- Sprains and strains
- Burns
- Eye injuries
- Exposure to chemicals
- Repetitive motion injuries
There are exceptions to what is treated under nurse triage. You’ll need to seek care outside of the nurse triage hotline for the following:
- Injuries sustained outside of work-related activities
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Injuries resulting from substance abuse or intoxication
- Injuries occurring during the commission of a crime
- Conditions arising from pre-existing issues or common illnesses not caused by the workplace
Learn about our
Business Insurance
What is involved in triage over the phone?
The injured employee and their supervisor should call the nurse hotline immediately following an injury, if possible, as implementing immediate action can reduce the likelihood of lost workdays and lessen the number of unnecessary visits to the doctor and ER. The employee will then be asked to provide information to identify themselves and complete reporting requirements.
Be prepared to answer the following:
- Company and facility location
- Injured employee's name, department, supervisor and work phone number
- Employee's home/cell phone number (for follow-up, if necessary)
- Employee's social security number
- Employee's age and date of birth
- Time and date when the injury occurred
- Incident location
- Description of how the injury occurred
A registered nurse will speak with the caller(s) to determine the seriousness and nature of the injury and the best way to treat it. Depending on the situation, the employee may be guided through first aid, allowed back to work or referred off-site to a medical facility for further treatment. The employee will be asked to call back with any questions or if symptoms change or worsen. After the call, the nurse will send an injury report to the employer and the insurance company.
How does nurse triage influence claims costs?
With this approach, the employer and insurance company are both aware of the injured employee immediately and can better handle claims, keeping costs down and potentially lowering your company’s experience modification rate (EMR). The smaller the EMR, the more likely your workers’ compensation insurance cost will be lower. Additionally, routing only those who require additional care to offsite facilities reduces OSHA recordables, which are work-related injuries or illnesses that require tracking by OSHA, and workers’ comp claims.
How much does it cost to use the hotline?
Nurse triage is typically a standard part of workers’ compensation coverage and there is no expense to call the hotline since that is paid for by the insurance company. However, if the injured employee ends up seeking care through a telehealth provider or at a medical facility provider, the provider may submit their bill to the insurance company’s claims department for processing.
Does a nurse triage program offer any other benefits?
Nurse triage is a win for employers and employees. Here are some additional benefits:
- Provides timely, appropriate medical advice to employees for better outcomes
- Records calls for case filing, quality assurance and fraud defense
- May help employees return to work faster by ensuring appropriate care quicker
- Improves morale by showing employees the company cares about their well-being
- Reduces lag time in reporting (long lag times have been shown to increase claims costs)
- Potential to reduce direct and indirect bottom line costs to employer
- Directs minor injuries away from emergency rooms and toward appropriate first aid
How can I enroll my company in Integrity’s nurse triage program?
Contact your local independent insurance agent for complete details on workers’ compensation coverage and if you qualify for Integrity’s complimentary nurse triage program.
References
Medcor
Coverages described herein may not be available in all states. Please contact a local independent Integrity agent for complete details on coverages and discounts. If the policy coverage descriptions herein conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. The material provided above is for informational, educational, or suggestion purposes and does not imply coverage. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO QUOTE ANY INDIVIDUAL PREMIUM RATE FOR THE INSURANCE HEREIN ADVERTISED. Integrity Insurance policies are underwritten by Integrity Insurance Company, an affiliate of Grange Insurance Company, and Integrity’s subsidiaries. Integrity companies not licensed in Pennsylvania. Not all Integrity companies are licensed in all states.