CIS’ Workers’ Compensation Partnership with SAIF Proves Popular
The new CIS Servicing Group powered by SAIF is bringing CIS members the best of both worlds. CIS members are keeping their knowledgeable risk management consultants, while SAIF handles claims. Best of all, nearly all members saved money on their premiums.
Last summer, when it looked like the pandemic might finally be behind us, CIS Executive Director Patrick Priest spoke at the Oregon City County Management Association (OCCMA) Conference in Bend about how CIS stands with Oregon’s cities and counties — all in an effort to make them safer, stronger, and healthier. He also talked about our new and very successful workers’ compensation partnership with SAIF.
During Patrick’s speech, Gervais’ City Manager Susie Marston spontaneously announced. “We saved $47,000 this year by joining the CIS Servicing Group; this new SAIF/CIS workers’ comp partnership is a winner!”
Many members just like Gervais saved significantly on their workers’ compensation premium. Fifty-one percent of CIS Servicing Group members qualified for an additional 9% savings (OGSERP discount) on their SAIF workers’ compensation premiums due to their good experience ratings.
Another popular SAIF program continued with some CIS members earning dividend payments.
SAIF’s commitment to policyholders is illustrated by them paying out $210 million in dividends in July 2021 — the second since the start of the pandemic.
Patrick approached SAIF about working together after the CIS workers’ compensation program had lost 20% of its members to SAIF over a five-year period. Patrick and the CIS Board were motivated to bring more affordable workers’ compensation to Oregon’s cities and counties. Those CIS members who left for SAIF maintained that CIS provided excellent customer service and missed CIS as a one-stop-shop that could coordinate risk management for all their insurance coverages.
It was a good decision and the new relationship with SAIF has been well received by most CIS members.
The anecdotal evidence of the popularity of the program keeps pouring in.
Recently, CIS Senior Workers’ Compensation Return-to-Work Specialist Moira Przybylowski received an email from Tillamook County’s Human Resources Analyst MaryJo Beckstead. MaryJo was singing the praises of one of our CIS Return-to-Work Specialists and talked about the quality customer service she received.
“I’ve been interacting with Dave Tarabochia lately and he is simply AWESOME!!! I remember you telling me he was great, but WOW… he is extremely helpful, knowledgeable and his timeliness is impeccable,” she added.
MaryJo had been receiving thoughtful email requests from SAIF, but she didn’t recognize their names, so she forwarded them along to Dave. He not only confirmed their identities but handled the inquiries.
“I’m thrilled with the level of service CIS has provided us through the workers’ compensation transition and am never stressed when I hear that one of our employees has been injured,” she said. “I know that they have a fantastic support team behind the scenes helping them out.”
Since 2016, Dave Tarabochia expertly administered CIS’ workers’ compensation claims. With the new CIS Servicing Group powered by SAIF, he has made the seamless transition to becoming a Return-to-Work Specialist. Dave has always been an outstanding employee and has a well-earned reputation for being hardworking, empathetic, and strategic. Over his 27-year career, he has amassed many awards in the insurance industry. We’re already hearing from members regarding the high level of customer service he brings to the CIS Servicing Group. For those very few cities and counties who have not signed up yet, our risk management team would like to meet with you to explain the innovative program — and share with you how much you can save.
According to SAIF’s Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Communications Christy Witzke, “We are extremely pleased with this partnership. The CIS staff have been willing and eager partners, and they feel like a part of our extended team.”
Christy also shared her impressions regarding the change.
“CIS and SAIF staff worked collaboratively to make the transition as smooth as possible for members” she said. “This required a lot of planning and open dialogue on topics that may have been handled differently at CIS. In some cases, SAIF made changes to adjust to what the members were used to. When that couldn’t happen due to carrier rules or other constraints, we were transparent with the ‘why’ so members understood there would be a difference.”
Given that CIS and SAIF had such a long history of competing, Christy appreciated how smoothly working together with Patrick Priest and the CIS risk management team went.
Any member of the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) or Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) can participate in the CIS Servicing Group. Members have embraced the different roles each organization brings to the table. Those who participated in the new CIS Servicing Group powered by SAIF in the 2021-22 coverage year experienced the following key elements:
“The transition has gone well,” said Christy. “In fact, I honestly can’t imagine it having gone any better. From day one, Patrick, Scott Moss, Dave Nelson, and the rest of the risk management staff at CIS have been focused on how we can jointly best serve the members. Having that common ground has made resolving any issues easy.”
“From our perspective, the high-quality service delivery shown by CIS is very similar to SAIF, so members shouldn’t have seen much difference,” said Christy. “CIS staff have worked hard to learn SAIF’s systems, policies, and procedures. We have appreciated their desire to provide an exceptional customer experience and have welcomed them into the SAIF team.”
SAIF has also appreciated how collaborative CIS has been through the process.
Christy recognized the CIS team and appointed agents — and thanked “the CIS members for working through this transition with us.”
She added, “Your commitment to Oregon is unparalleled. We are honored that you put your trust, and that of your workers, in us on a daily basis. Together we will make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work.”
Patrick echoed that same strong sentiment of collaboration between SAIF, CIS members and agents — as well as our founders LOC and AOC.
“We will continue to stand with you to help make Oregon’s cities and counties safer, stronger, and healthier,” he said. “That’s why we’re here.”
In 2022, SAIF will reapply for an OGSERP (Oregon Group Supplemental Experience Rating Plan) discount, which will only be available to those who choose to participate in the CIS Servicing Group and meet SAIF’s underwriting criteria. The discount will depend on the loss experience of cities and counties who consent to include their information in the filing. A consent form is required to help create this opportunity for all CIS members but does not commit an entity to participate in the program nor to insure with SAIF.
The decision to participate comes later, after pricing for the July 1, 2022, policies are finalized, and all questions and concerns have been addressed.
