Office of Human Resources - Benefits Design & Management
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Workers' Compensation
Workers' Compensation is a "no fault" system that protects employees for loss of salary and medical expenses in the event of an injury or illness arising out of and in the course of employment. This insurance provides payments for medical expenses and up to 66 2/3% of salary if time is lost due to on-the-job accident or job related illness. The coverage coordinates with Long-term Disability coverage, and includes survivor benefits.
Q. Who is covered?
A. All ASU paid employees, including Faculty, Service Professionals, Administrators, Academic Professionals, Classified Staff, Student Workers, Postdoctoral Scholars, and Graduate Assistants.
Q. What does Workers' Compensation cover?
A. It covers 100% of doctor, hospital and prescription bills. If time lost from work exceeds seven (7) calendar days,it pays up tp 66 2/3% of your average monthly wage, based on a statutory maximum salary amount per month.
Q. Who is our insurance carrier?
A. ASU is self-insured with Arizona Risk Management, 100 N. 15th Avenue, Suite 301, Phoenix, AZ 85007, 602.542.2182
Q. What should I do if I am injured or become ill
in the course of employment?
A. No matter how minor the job related injury/illness may seem, it should ALWAYS be reported within 48 hours by calling 602.542.9675. Notify your supervisor so that an Employer's Report of Injury form can be completed and returned to the HR Employee Service Center no later than nine (9) days after the occurrence. Failure to report within those timeframes can result in severe monetary fines, payable by your department. Prompt reporting will accelerate the processing of the claim and will avoid unnecessary delays or denial of possible benefits, and/or penalties.
Q. Where should I go to receive medical treatment
and/or fill prescriptions when I incur a job related injury/illness?
A. You may report directly to Student Health for initial treatment unless the injury/illness is serious or Student Health is not open. If the injury/illness is serious or Student Health is closed, you should call your primary care physician or report to the nearest emergency room.
Prescriptions may be filled at any pharmacy; you must supply the pharmacy with the Arizona Risk Management information.
Q. Can I change my physician?
A. If you voluntarily visit a physician more than once, it is interpreted that you have officially selected your physician. Once you have selected a physician you must request a change in writing through the Industrial Commission of Arizona. It will be at the Industrial Commission's discretion to approve or deny your request.
Q. When does Workers' Compensation begin to pay?
A. Workers' Compensation pays as follows for time lost from work:
| Consecutive Days Lost | Days Paid |
|---|---|
| 1 to 7 | 0 (Employees can use their available sick time) |
| 8 to 13 | 8 to 13 |
| 14 or more | From day 1 to date you return to work |
Q. What is the procedure for reopening an old claim
A. Contact the Industrial Commission of Arizona at 602.542.4661 to request a form to reopen your claim. The injured worker can file a petition to reopen a closed claim to secure additional benefits on the basis of new, additional or previously undiscovered conditions. The letter/petition must be accompanied by a current medical report supporting the relationship of the current condition to the industrial injury. When both the petition and the medical report are received, the carrier is notified of the petition and it has 21 days to accept or deny the reopening.
Q. How does workers' compensation coordinate
with my sick, vacation and Family Medical Leave?
A. Workers' compensation pays up to 66 2/3% of your average monthly wage;sick leave and, at your discretion, vacation leave, may be used at 33 1/3% or more, but not to exceed more than 100% of base pay.
Family Medical Leave is not an additional leave. Rather, it is used along with sick leave, vacation leave, Workers' Compensation or leave without pay.
Q. What happens to my insurance while on workers' compensation?
A. If you remain in a pay status (using sick or vacation leave), premium deductions will continue to be taken from your paycheck.
When you drop into a non-pay status, the Benefits Office will bill you for your insurance. The premium rates will remain the same as your payroll deduction amount. At the end of a 6-month period if you are still on leave without pay, you will be billed for the total cost of insurance, i.e., your premium plus what the university pays. At that time you may elect to pay for all, some or none of your benefits. Any benefits that you did not elect to pay for may be reinstated at your option when you return to work.
Be sure to notify the Benefits Office when you return to work.
Q. What happens to my retirement benefits?
A. If you remain in a pay status (using sick or vacation leave), the required retirement contribution will be deducted from your paycheck. If you are in a non-pay status (leave without pay), you will need to contact an ASRS representative at 602.240.2000.