Mission Statement
The County Office of Risk & Insurance seeks to reduce the County's total cost of risk. This goal is accomplished through a synthesis of risk evaluation, prevention and financing. The Office of Risk & Insurance Management administers three separate internal service funds:
The current Risk and Insurance Manager is Thomas J. Dellapenna; he has held the post since January of 2014.
Broome County has assumed liability for most casualty risks including, but not limited to, Property damage, Personal Injury liability and Workers' Compensation. The County established the Workers' Compensation pool in 1956 to pay Workers' Compensation claims and judgements. Any municipal corporation within Broome County may participate in the pool. Currently, 14 of the County's municipalities participate in the pool.
The Office of Risk & Insurance Management coordinates employee safety for all county employees. The county Safety Specialist is responsible for providing most county safety training and also provides guidance on all employee safety matters.
Risk Management
The primary function of the Office of Risk & Insurance is to reduce the County's total cost of risk. The County self insures most risks including, but not limited to, Property damage and Personal Injury liability. The County purchases commercial insurance for its real property, most inland marine, boiler & machinery, employee theft and dishonesty, aviation and cyber liability exposures.
The Office of Risk & Insurance Management has a comprehensive vendor contract insurance specification (risk transfer) process.
The contract insurance specifications request process is initiated at the request of the department. The department submits a single one-sided form. From the information on this form the ORIM produces "contract insurance specifications" which become part of the vendor's contract with Broome County.
Workers' Compensation
Broome County pays Workers' Compensation benefits through a self-insured Workers' Compensation pool, established in 1956 to pay claims and judgements for Workers' Compensation. Any municipal corporation within Broome County may participate in the pool. Currently, the Towns of Barker, Binghamton, Chenango, Colesville, Conklin, Lisle, Maine, Nanticoke, Sanford, Triangle, and Windsor participate in the pool along with the villages of Lisle, Port Dickinson, and Whitney Point. Pool contributions (premiums) are established by the Broome County Office of Risk & Insurance for all pool participants, including Broome County, in accordance with local law 8-1996. Local law 8-1996 calculates pool contribution by a weighted formula: 65% from five year paid claims average and 35% from assessed valuation. A third party administrator, TRIAD Group, of East Syracuse, New York processes and pays Workers' Compensation claims on behalf of the pool under the supervision of the Office of Risk & Insurance.
In early 2014, the Broome County Workers Compensation Task Force was formed to review and assess all current workers' compensation claims and procedures. One outcome, was to modify packets for the reporting and/or documenting of an employee injury. The packets are in compliance with New York State Workers Compensation reporting requirements. The new "injury packets" now consist of two options for filing an incident or an injury at work. "Blue" packet for incident only, "Pink" packet for a reportable injury. (Forms)
To all county & municipal Workers' Compensation claimants:
I am sorry to hear that you were hurt at work. Because of the physical and financial hardship that a work related injury can cause, my office works closely with you, your employer, and your physician towards a common goal of returning you to work as quickly as possible.
The first step in the process is to be sure that you have completed the appropriate packet. If your injury will not result in lost time from work or medical treatment of any kind, you should complete the "Blue" Incident Only packet. If you will be out of work or going for medical treatment, you must complete a "Pink" workers compensation packet. (Forms) For quick submission, packets may be emailed to bcworkerscomp@broomecountyny.gov or faxed to 607.778.2918, but all originals must be forwarded to the Office of Risk & Insurance Management.
For your information, here is a list of representatives to contact with any questions:
- Colleen Capwell, Workers' Compensation Analyst, 607.778.2402
For questions regarding medical treatment approvals or assistance with returning to work. - Justin Antzak, Claims Adjuster, at TRIAD Group, 800.337-7419 ext 312
For questions regarding your claim status or the payment process. - John Nezelek, Safety Specialist, 607.778.2402
If you believe your accident could have been prevented.
Very truly yours,
Thomas Dellapenna Jr.
Broome County Risk & Insurance Manager
Employee/Retiree Health Insurance
Currently, the County offers four health insurance options to its employees and retirees. For active and pre-65 employees the county offers an HMO, Traditional and Advantage plan. All three plans administered by Excellus for health claims and Express-Scripts for all pharmacy benefits. The fourth plan is for Medicare primary retirees. Broome County's Medicare plan is currently administered by United Health Care Retiree Solutions.
Broome County offers its retirees and the surviving spouses of its retirees to reduce the cost of their health insurance if they have a limited household income. Under the premium waiver/reduction rules, any retiree whose gross household income is less than $24,000 may receive their insurance at no cost. Surviving spouses of Broome County retirees may apply to receive their health insurance at a reduced cost, if their spouse retired before January 1, 2002. Surviving spouses of retirees who retired on or after January 1, 2002 are not eligible for the reduced cost program. For both surviving spouses of Broome County employees and Broome County retirees the qualifying income for a reduction in their health insurance cost is a household income of less than $24,000 per year. The application is made on a simplified form issued by the Office of Risk & Insurance Management. If approved, the waiver is effective from May 1 through April 30. Participants must apply each year for a premium waiver/reduction.
