NEER Program Basics You Need To Know

Ontario's Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) turns 100 years old this year, yet understanding the basics about its NEER financial system remains a challenge for many employers. Here is a quick primer.

What are the different WSIB financial plans?

The WSIB has 3 main programs for determining worker compensation claim costs: 

1. NEER (New Experimental Experience Rating) covers the majority of Ontario businesses with premiums in excess of $25,000 annually
2. CAD-7 covers employers in the construction industry with premiums in excess of $25,000
   
3. MAP (Merit Adjusted Premium) program applies to employers with between $1,000 and $25,000 in average premiums before adjustments. Employers with premiums less than $1,000 are not experience rated.
   

What is NEER?

• NEER is a cost-driven plan, linked to prevention and return-to-work efforts
• Retrospective plan that redistributes premiums within each rate group (industry type) via refunds and surcharges

Who is part of NEER?

• Applies to employers paying more than $25,000 in WSIB premiums, are in a non-construction industry, are a Schedule 1 employer, and have been open for at least one full year
  

What are the time periods NEER measures?

• WSIB measures your company's claim performance for the period of January 1 - December 31 for each year in review
  
• Employers are liable for costs related to the most current 4 year period. For example, on your September 2014 NEER statement, the WSIB will review claims for the years 2010-2013
• Once a claim has dropped out of your 4 year NEER window, your organization is no longer liable for costs incurred on that claim

How does NEER work?

• Employers pay premiums based on every $100 of payroll that vary for each employer based upon various factors including historical accident costs and average costs for your rate group (industry type)
• WSIB estimates "Expected Costs" of workplace injury claims for your organization
• Actual claim costs are charged to the accident year, not charged to the year in which payment is made
• If your company had actual claim costs for the year that were lower than the "Expected Costs," then your company will receive a refund. If you exceeded "Expected Costs," you can expect to be levied an additional surcharge.
  
• Refunds or surcharges are levied based on your September NEER statements

What reports will I be receiving from the WSIB?

• Monthly claim cost statements capture all claim costs for the life of a claim, even after they have dropped off your 4 year NEER window. Check out our recent blog on why it is critical for you to regularly examine your monthly cost statements.
• Quarterly NEER statements, which include both a Firm Summary Statement and Claim Cost Statement, for the periods ending December, March, and June each year give you an estimate on what your year end costs will be on your September statement.
• Your September NEER statement calculates your final refund or surcharge amount for the 4 years under review.

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Next steps

Do you have additional questions about your WSIB claims? You can register for one of Clear Path's upcoming learning sessions that will give you deeper insights into the claims management process through hands-on workshops using real-world examples.

• Introduction to NEER Workshop on November 26th in Cambridge or December 2nd in Mississauga. Click here to learn more.
• Advanced NEER Strategies is designed for experienced claims managers who want to increase their skills and learn how to forecast costs forward. It is being held on December 4th in Mississauga. Click here to learn more.

Complimentary NEER Review

• Would you like the experts at Clear Path to review and analyze your NEER statement? New customers can enjoy this service for free! (a $250 value). Click here to learn more.

Questions?

• Contact Anna Aceto-Guerin at (519) 624-0800 or anna@clearpathemployer.com

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