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The NCACC's Risk Management Pools (RMP) offer group health, workers' compensation, and liability and property coverages for counties and related entities. Members of the Risk Management Pools enjoy comprehensive and affordable plans that counties can customize to meet individual county needs. For more information, contact one of our staff.
Applications for Bonner Scholarship due July 31 Winner will attend 2009 PRIMA training program in late October
PRIMA releases pandemic resources for public risk managers As the current swine flu outbreak continues, there are many unknowns and unanswered questions about the disease at this time. Despite this fact, public risk managers have a prime opportunity for demonstrating the importance of risk management within the public sector and for raising awareness of the benefits that risk management brings to public entities. PRIMA would like to assist your efforts during this time by offering guidelines and resources that assist with the planning and implementation of strategies that address this complex issue.
Pools offer budget help through lower insurance costs As the economy tightens, many North Carolina counties are struggling to find ways to balance budgets while continuing to provide services to their citizens. The NCACC Risk Management Pools have multiple programs and resources available to help counties reduce costs for Liability and Property, Workers' Compensation and Group Benefits coverage.
Workers' Comp Pool awards 27 members for excellence  In keeping with the theme of improved risk management techniques, staff awarded multiple members with Certificates of Excellence to recognize outstanding Workers' Compensation claim reporting practices. Experience indicates that claims costs increase as reporting time increases; therefore it is vital to report all claims immediately to help control costs. If a claim is reported 7-14 days after the event, it is 18 percent more expensive than if it was reported within the first five days, 30 percent more expensive if reported within 15-28 days, and 45 percent more expensive if reported after the 29th day.
Pools' transit driver training program a money-saver for counties A defensive driving presentation developed by NCACC Risk Control Manager Robert Poole has been approved by the N.C. Department of Transportation as meeting the minimum training standards for community and human service transportation system vehicle operators and is available free of charge for counties to use to train their transit drivers.
Board of Trustees set course  The NCACC's Risk Management Pools have a defined direction for the future following a Board of Trustees strategic planning retreat on Feb. 12-13. Attendees put a considerable amount of work into focusing the mission statement to read: "North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Risk Management Pools is a member-driven organization empowering North Carolina counties to effectively manage risks."
Risk Management Pools continue transition, add two Two new faces joined the Association's staff in February as the Risk Management Pools continued to build resources since restructuring staff and bringing Loss Control and Underwriting and Administration services in-house in January.
 Pamlico's Holton reappointed chair of RMP Board of Trustees Pamlico County Vice Chair Ann Holton has been reappointed to serve as chair of the Board of Trustees for the NCACC's Risk Management Pools for 2009. She will continue to serve on the NCACC Board of Directors as the RMP representative.
New County Health Plan prescription drug formulary in effect April 1 The County Health Plan has a new release of the prescription drug formulary, effective April 1, 2009. The formulary assists the County Health Plan in maximizing our collective healthcare investment while offering plan participants clinically appropriate prescription therapy. NCACC Risk Management trustees focus on governance training Five members of the NCACC Risk Management Pools Board of Trustees participated in the 2008 Governance and Leadership Conference, an educational initiative of the Association of Governmental Risk Pools (AGRiP) that was held in New Orleans in October.
100 years of county unity Finding reasonably priced and sustainable insurance coverage that could also meet the unique needs of North Carolina county governments was a challenge in the years leading up to 1980. By that year, the number of carriers for workers’ compensation coverage had dwindled and market conditions had deteriorated to the point that many counties found themselves in a crisis situation. As it does in so many situations, the Association stepped in and stepped up and gave counties a forum to create a workers’ compensation self-insurance pool that would meet county-specific needs.
New Risk Management director brings pooling experience  Lester Nixon’s labor of love has brought him across the country to the Association. Previously chief executive officer of the Utah Counties Insurance Pool, Nixon took over as director of the NCACC’s Risk Management Pools on Nov. 5.
 Warning: Plan now or pay later Severe weather can cause major disruptions for government entities. By asking questions and taking action now, county officials can help mitigate the damage wrought by a natural disaster.
Appeals process for Risk Management Pools The Risk Management Pools strive to be responsive to its members. We encourage our covered counties to discuss their coverage with us and to present any benefits disputes concerning the coverage we offer to your employees. It is our policy to provide members with a forum to address the decision or action taken by the County Health Plan, the Liability and Property Pool, the Workers’ Compensation Pool or its service partners including Caremark, CIGNA or Sedgwick. The appeals form is to be completed by the member. In the case of a medical or dental benefits item, the appeals form should be completed by the member and should be submitted to the NCACC after the first and second level grievances at CIGNA have been exhausted. Don’t encourage Workers’ Compensation abuse The rising cost of Workers’ Compensation coverage can be blamed on several causes – rising payroll, large claim losses and frequency of incidents are just a few. Some, if not most, are unpredictable – if not uncontrollable – factors. But what can we do to control the controllable?
One strike and you’re out!  Mother Nature won’t deliver a warning shot, so take measures to guard against lightning-related damage
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