|
Authority
Section 11-26-1,
Code of Alabama 1975 "Any
group of counties, either individually or collectively, may establish a workmen's
compensation self-insurance group for the purpose of providing workmen's compensation
benefits for county officials and county employees. Member counties may appropriate
such funds as necessary to the workmen's compensation self-insurance group to
provide such workmen's compensation benefits." Eligibility
for Participation
Any county commission that is
a member of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama is eligible to participate
in the Fund. Some boards, commissions and agencies created by participating county
commissions may be allowed to participate. Coverage
Provided
The Fund provides workers compensation
benefits for officers and employees of participants. The benefits provided are
those required by the workers compensation laws of the state of Alabama. Regulation
The Fund is regulated by the Workers Compensation Division
of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, as required by law. Governance
The Fund operates pursuant to formal by-laws and is governed
by a Board of Trustees as provided in the by-laws. The Board of Trustees consists
of nine members appointed from participating counties. Trustees are eligible to
serve no more than two three-year terms. Claims
Administration
The Fund contracts with a third-party
administrator (TPA) to administer all workers compensation claims presented to
participants. The claims are administered consistent with the workers compensation
laws of Alabama and the rules and regulations of the Workers Compensation Division
of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations. The current TPA for the Fund
is Meadowbrook Insurance, Inc., located in Montgomery, Alabama. Financial
Administration
Each participant is required to make
an annual financial contribution to the Fund. Contributions are invested and held
until needed to pay claims and necessary operating expenses. The amount of contribution
by each participant is determined by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation
of a qualified actuary. The Fund is audited annually by a certified public accounting
firm. The Fund also provides periodic and annual reports to the Workers Compensation
Division of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, as required by law
or regulation. Refund of Contributions and
Earnings Distributions
The Fund's Board of Trustees
frequently approves the refund of contributions and distribution of Fund investment
earnings. Refunds and distributions are based on participant claims experience
and other actuarial considerations. Miscellaneous
Benefits of Participation
In addition to the payment
and administration of claims, Fund participants receive other benefits and services
as described below. Loss Control:
Loss control services are provided through the Fund's TPA and
include periodic facilities inspection, loss control manuals and instructional
material, assistance in establishing local loss control committees, defensive
driving courses, flagmen courses and many other related forms of assistance. Specialized
Claims Administration: The employees of the TPA that
handle claims for Fund participants do not handle claims for any other fund or
individual employer. In other words, they specialize in handling claims for county
governments participating in the Fund. Excellent
Legal Representation: Most workers compensation claims
filed against Fund participants are handled without the involvement of attorneys.
When attorney involvement is necessary, the Fund retains only attorneys with extensive
experience in such claims. Important Addresses
and Telephone Numbers
ACCA Workers Compensation
Self-Insurance Fund
100 N. Jackson Street
Montgomery,
AL 36104
Telephone: 334-263-7594
Fax: 334-263-7678
Fund Administrator:
O. H. "Buddy" Sharpless
View the ACCA Workers Compensation Fund Board of Trustees
Meadowbrook
Insurance, Inc.
P. O. Box 11047
Montgomery, AL 36111
Telephone:
334-954-7200
Fax: 334-954-7338
Account Executive: Connie Wilson
Direct Telephone: 334-954-7202 Claims: Connie
Wilson
Direct Telephone: 334-954-7228 Loss Control:
Jerry Gill
Direct Telephone:
334-954-7260 | 
