When injured workers call me and ask me why the insurance company did something, I tell them I can’t explain it logically. That’s the short answer.
I’ve never worked inside an insurance company and I don’t know how they organize their tasks (if they do), but having observed their behavior for 35 years, I have drawn some conclusions.
Greed makes the greedy paranoid and then they behave insanely. When you’re broke, you think having money would make you feel secure. It doesn’t make you feel secure; it makes you afraid of running out of money. So you need more. The more you get, the more you need.
Insurance companies are a profit industry. The workers compensation insurance carriers who operate in Alaska make between 45 and 100 million dollars per year profit.
Insurance companies are a profit industry. The workers compensation insurance carriers who operate in Alaska make between 45 and 100 million dollars per year profit.
- In 2013, 192.4 million in benefits were paid. Premiums were 298.9. Profit: 100 million. Source: http://labor.state.ak.us/wc/forms/2013AR.pdf
- In 2012, 189.7 million in benefits were paid. Premiums were 234.5. Profit: 45 million. Source: http://labor.state.ak.us/wc/forms/2012AR.pdf
- In 2011, 169.3 million in benefits were paid. Premiums were 255.6. Profit: 85 million. Source: http://labor.state.ak.us/wc/forms/2011AR.pdf
One way for insurance companies, or any greedy employer, can improve their profits is by hiring less people to do more work. Then they give them the minimal amount of training to do the work. Then very little supervision and guidance. And they pay the adjusters poorly so the adjusters quickly develop the opinion that the injured worker, who may be receiving more money on workers compensation than the adjuster makes, is bilking the system.
Add to that a corporate philosophy that the injured workers are trying to “get away with something”, and you have an adjuster who doesn’t really care if the injured worker gets his comp check on time or if his surgery is preauthorized. You are just another file to them.
So don’t waste your time trying to rationalize their behavior. It’s impossible. Instead, talk to an experienced attorney who will tell you what your rights are and how to enforce them.
Keenan Powell has practiced law in Alaska for more than 30 years and has dedicated her practice to Workers Compensation representing injured Alaskans.
All consultations are free. If you want to set up a meeting, use the contact form on www.keenanpowell.com or call: 907 258 7663.