Agent News
The Pulse: March 2020
Good morning agent partners,
Although I usually begin this newsletter with a message about company performance – a very important topic – it simply falls second to a subject that is of highest importance to all of us right now.
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak continues to spread and attract significant media and public attention, we want to provide you with assurance that, as your workers’ compensation partner, we have worked diligently to ensure we are prepared to conduct business without interruption during this evolving health situation.
Helping to protect our mutual customers is our highest priority. We’re encouraging business owners to carefully evaluate their business continuity plans and continue to direct them to the most up-to-date resources on COVID-19 – including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Please visit our Response to COVID-19 webpage for:
- Important claims reporting information
- Premium and audit payment exceptions
- Instructions for enrolling in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
- Answers to commonly asked questions
- Key COVID-19 information it relates to United Heartland and our parent company, AF Group
Protecting policyholders – our shared customers – has never been more important. Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership as we work together to keep workplaces safe.
Stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Justin Bealhen
Vice President, Field Operations
United Heartland is committed to providing our customers the resources necessary to help keep their employees safe and assist them when injuries occur at work. Our telemedicine program, TeleCompCare®, provides injured workers quick 24/7 access to triage nurses who are trained to offer assessments, refer you to medical care when appropriate and give you a convenient option to connect with a telemedicine occupational physician via live video conference over your computer, tablet or smartphone.
For more information, please visit our TeleCompCare® webpage or contact your business development consultant.
Did you know that in addition to classroom learning, the AF Group Agency Education team also delivers an innovative curriculum focused on the foundational concepts of workers’ compensation virtually? It’s true – the team offers an interactive approach to learning, providing insurance professionals with a unique opportunity to gain valuable insurance knowledge from anywhere, at any time. Agents have the chance to develop at their own pace through our WebCE® online courses and an extensive library of e-learnings, covering subjects from retail and manufacturing to health care, construction and more. For more information, visit our website.
With millions of jobs requiring work from home availability, it’s important to remember the ergonomic principles to improve the “fit” between the worker and the workspace. A practical approach considers the match between the person, the equipment they use, their work processes and the work environment. A person’s capabilities, physical attributes and work habits must be recognized to improve ergonomic factors in the workplace.
Tips to keep in mind as you prepare to work from home:
- Find adequate lighting. Ensure your space has both natural and artificial light sources. Make sure lighting is not shining directly on you or your monitor.
- Improve your circulation. Set reminders to step away from your desk to stretch or take a short walk.
- Minimize storage and clutter. Clutter around your work area is not just a distraction, but a trip and fall exposure too.
- Get a full night of sleep. According to healthline.com, a good night’s rest has been linked to improved productivity and concentration and improved immune function.
- Make sure your workstation fits you. Assess your home office space to ensure that your workspace meets your needs – especially when new furniture, equipment or tasks are introduced.
Additional Resources:
United Heartland recently began a new partnership with Relias, a leading provider of clinical educational resources. Many of our policyholders in the health care and social services industries require clinical education so their employees can meet regulatory and compliance requirements. The Relias Learning Management System (LMS) enables policyholders to access focused learning solutions with tracking and reporting capabilities, as well as health care industry-specific trainings.
As part of this unique partnership, UH health care and social service policyholders are eligible for a discount on Relias solutions.
For marketing materials or questions about our partnership with Relias, please email UH Loss Control Technical Advisor Clark MacAlpine.
