Feasibility Analysis

In order to evaluate whether Texas Nonsubscription is the best choice for your company, we recommend a "Feasibility Study." These studies range in level of complexity. PartnerSource prepares formal nonsubscriber feasibility study reports for clients at various levels.

Injury Benefit Plan

Since 1989, Bill Minick and later, the PartnerSource team, have been the leading authority on design and implementation of nonsubscriber injury benefit plans. Through continuous design innovation and quality improvement, we prepare state-of-the-art occupational injury benefit plan and summary plan description documents linked to insurance and claims administrations systems, in compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").

Insurance Placement

The highly specialized nonsubscriber insurance marketplace is always changing, and PartnerSource remains at the leading edge. Firm principals have worked in various capacities with every leading carrier in the nonsubscriber insurance market, and have been instrumental in the development and/or administration of over a dozen nonsubscriber insurance programs.

Claims Administration

PartnerSource's expertise provides substantial knowledge with regard to claims administration. We have advised national TPAs on the development of their nonsubscription Claims Administration practices.

Medical Management

We can supply a standardized medical services agreement for use with approved occupational injury providers that will address the basis for fees, the reporting relationship, and hold harmless/indemnification for provider actions. A healthcare provider credentialing checklist can also be provided to demonstrate prudence in your selection of healthcare providers. Assistance in provider negotiations can also be provided.

Policies and Procedures

Injury claim administrative processes will be coordinated with modified duty, substance abuse, sick leave, vacation, and other paid-time-off policies, the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act, with emphasis placed on returning employees to work and reducing risk of wrongful termination claims.

Compliance

PartnerSource has the technical experience and resources available to help you cut through the endless maze of government requirements for reporting employee benefits information to state and federal agencies and disclosing employee benefits information to employees and related groups.

Employee Communication

On initial program rollout, when updating a nonsubscriber program, and on an on-going basis, good communication between management and workforce is critical to nonsubscriber program success. PartnerSource develops a strategy, with custom communications, for each nonsubscribing employer. We develop and coordinate the use of varied print and multi-media avenues to communicate effectively based on your employee population's unique needs.

Litigation Management

PartnerSource is uniquely qualified to effectively manage the injury benefit and negligence exposure associated with nonsubscription claims. Through the Pre-Litigation Claim Resolution Process, PartnerSource fully engages in the management of claims for which litigation is anticipated by monitoring and controlling the investigative process from inception. Customized Nonsubscription Claims Investigation Guidelines and investigative forms, supported by appropriate staffing, are the framework within which the incident investigation proceeds. From the results of a proper incident investigation, PartnerSource Attorney Team Leaders conduct thorough liability reviews in coordination with the client and Third Party Administrator, prepare settlement strategy memorandums, respond to letters of representation as a consultant to the Plan, negotiate terms of settlement with Plaintiff's counsel, and prepare all settlement documents.

The goals of the Pre-Litigation Claim Resolution Process are:

• To ensure the best possible results by achieving early assessment of negligence exposure and early * resolution of disputes.
• Reduce defense costs and achieve better outcomes
• Increase consistency and quality of nonsubscription-specific defense strategy
• Improve program comment coordination

In the event early resolution is not possible (either due to the nature of the claim or if suit is filed) PartnerSource will manage the litigation process through customized Nonsubscription Litigation Management Guidelines, Defense Counsel selection, and the monitoring of the litigation to ensure effective results at lower cost.

Fiduciary Services

The Employee Retirement Income and Security Act ("ERISA") imposes fiduciary duties on benefit plan sponsors, including:

• Duty of loyalty to act in the best interest of plan participants
• Duty of prudence to act with the skill, care and diligence that a prudent person would use under the same or similar circumstances.

With participant appeals from adverse benefit determinations (ABD), the plan fiduciary is responsible to the plan and its participants and beneficiaries, and must establish and follow all claims procedures and deadlines, timely respond in writing to all written communications, analyze and review completely each record and take additional steps to correct any procedural or substantive defects or inconsistencies, and timely deliver a written decision that is consistent with the plan terms, the facts and information gathered by a thorough process, and fully compliant with the plan, ERISA and its accompanying regulations.