CompQuotes | Winter 2025
Workers’ comp news for SAIF’s agents
In this issue:
Coming soon—an expanded contact center
We have exciting news to share! We are building on the success of the Service Center and combining current capabilities with several other talented groups here at SAIF to enhance service to injured workers and policyholders of all sizes.
To reflect this change, we will unite employees under our new contact center, the Customer Care Center (CCC). Focused on minimizing transfers and resolving caller needs on the first call, CCC staff will address low to medium complexity issues on a variety of topics, including billing and policy questions. Callers will still be able to reach their contacts through direct lines and select to be connected to a Spanish-speaking representative.
The CCC will be fully functioning by early May 2025. Callers should not notice a difference in their experience, apart from quicker support and less transfers. There are behind-the-scenes changes including staff movement, training, and hiring to ensure we are ready in May.
We are excited to provide our callers with more coordinated services with proactive support and fewer hurdles.
If you have any questions, please contact Christine Vrontakis at CHRVRO@saif.com.
One Inc launch: Enhancing payment flexibility for customers
SAIF’s new digital payment platform, One Inc, is scheduled to go live January 26. All customers' saved payment methods will transfer into the new system. We have communicated this transition to policyholders through a letter attached to their invoice.
One Inc provides many benefits to our customers and partners, including the ability to make payments using only a policy number and mailing address zip code. Customers can also split payments between two credit cards and use an interactive phone system to make payments. Automatic payments, available to service center accounts, will continue to process on the 20th of each month in the new system.
For more information, training, and FAQs, visit saif.com/payments.
2025 Legislative Session starts January 22
The 2025 Legislative Session will begin on January 22nd and continue until the end of June. During this period, the Legislature will need to pass Oregon’s bi-annual budget for the 2025-2027 biennium, address transportation funding, and tackle the persistent housing shortage. More than 3,000 bills covering a myriad of issues are expected to be introduced.
As in every long session, several workers’ compensation legislative proposals are anticipated. These will be reviewed by the Management Labor Advisory Committee (MLAC), which will make recommendations to the legislative committees regarding their passage and/or amendments. Expected proposals include increases to time loss payments, changes to the lump sum payment process, an extension of PTSD presumption for certain workers, and many more.
SAIF will also advocate for a legislative proposal seeking limited statutory permission to coordinate the delivery of health care services. This aims to address rising medical costs and wait times for accessing workers' compensation health care. SAIF’s goal is to keep premiums and rates down for our policyholders while improving the timeliness and quality of care for injured workers.
Throughout the legislative session, SAIF will work on your behalf with stakeholders, legislators, and MLAC members to continue advocating for a balanced and fair workers' compensation system in Oregon that is accessible, widely available, and remains affordable for policyholders.
Questions? Please contact Ivo Trummer, government relations director, ivotru@saif.com.
Service Center pricing for claims-related and non-rated accounts
SAIF wants to see your submissions, so don’t delay; get yours entered into SAIFQuote now!
Just a reminder that SAIF’s 2024 rate filings support our commitment to our mission to serve Oregon’s workers and employers by making workers’ compensation coverage widely available, affordable, and accessible, and by providing extraordinary service.
As a reminder, on all new sales, the agency commission levels are increased by 4% for the first term written as new business to SAIF.
Beginning in 2024 we provide improved pricing on non-rated and claims-rated policies written in the SAIF Service Center.
- Non-rated policies will be priced in Tier E (previously Tier F). This equates to a 9.2% rate load factor reduction.
- Claims-rated policies will now be priced in Tier D or Tier E (previously Tier F). This equates to a 9.2% rate load reduction for policies moving to Tier E and an 18.4% rate load factor reduction for policies that are eligible to be written in Tier D.
An additional rate filing was approved providing opportunity for preferred pricing on select class codes for new and renewing policies effective July 1, 2024. The principal class codes listed below may receive preferred pricing (up to a two-tier reduction). The class codes were carefully chosen based on a consistent pattern of favorable performance.
News in brief
Our association partner, Oregon Medical Group Management Association, has changed their name to Oregon Healthcare Leaders Association effective December 16, 2024. All group policy documents will reflect the new name moving forward.
Save the date for the 2025 Workers’ Comp Seminar
The annual workers’ comp seminar will be held at SAIF’s Salem office on April 3, 2025. Registration information will be emailed out in early 2025.