Reminder: Deadline for PRIME practice incentive for 2009
December 31 is the deadline for employers to meet the 2009 practice incentive criteria in order to receive a 5% practice incentive refund in 2010. Go to our PRIME site to see the requirements by size of business.
Occupational health and safety training is a mandatory component for most employers – if you need help finding a training provider or course, visit our website at www.whscc.nl.ca.
Lower your assessments through the PRIME experience incentive
Preventing injuries and managing claim costs can lead to lower assessments through the experience incentive component of PRIME. Your experience results will be calculated and applied in 2010 when your 2009 employer statements are processed.
Remember, you must first qualify for your practice refund to be considered for an experience refund. However, if you did not qualify for the practice refund and your claim costs result in experience charges, these charges will still apply.
Your experience incentive results are based on your claim costs which can be found on your PRIME Status Report . This report is generated monthly if you have claim costs and a designated claim cost contact on your account. If you are registered for connect, you can access this report on-line.
Keeping your account information up to date is important for PRIME. For example, ensuring that your payroll estimate and description of industry is accurate will provide you with a realistic estimate of your potential experience results.
If you have any questions about the PRIME program, please contact us at (709) 778-2922 or 1-866-955-2922 or visit our website.
2010 maximum compensable/assessable earnings limit
On January 1, 2010, the maximum assessable and compensable earnings limit will increase from $50,379 to $51,235. This amount is used by the Commission in determining the maximum benefits paid to injured workers and the maximum assessable earnings reported by employers.
More on-line services available
Many employers are realizing the benefits of connect by accessing important information in one convenient location. Some of the services currently offered include:
- view account information, including addresses, contacts, assessment rates and balances
- view claims cost reports
- request clearance letters
- manage sub-contractor status lists
- enter and submit OH&S Committee minutes
- view archived copies of OH&S minutes submitted on-line
In 2010, employers will be able to complete a form 7 – employer's report of injury, through connect. Watch the Commission's website for more information.
If you have not already registered, make it a priority to connect today. Save time for your organization. Go to connect to register.
Pay your assessment through a deferred payment plan
If you paid less than $54,000 in assessments in 2009, you can pay your 2010 assessment, through pre-authorized debit installments over seven months, interest free, from April 1 to October 1.
If you paid $54,000 or more in assessments in 2009, you can pay your 2010 assessment through an interest bearing deferred payment plan through either pre-authorized debit or postdated cheques with a number of different frequency options.
When you receive your assessment invoice in 2010, be sure to contact us if you are interested in setting up a deferred payment plan.