AMCOMP has established an education program to raise professional standards in the field of workers compensation. Each of us is able to detail the need to improve the industry in our own business histories, almost always concluding that a common body of knowledge
and measurement would benefit all participants in the field: insurers, reinsurers, insureds, self-insureds, regulators, agents, brokers and most importantly, claimants.

The formation of AMCOMP and the commitment by its board and membership to do something
about this universally perceived need set the AMCOMP Education Committee on a course that has spanned several years and produced quality results.

Mike Stinziano, Vice President, Benfield John Cartolano, Project Assistant – Underwriting, New York State Insurance Fund

In the summer of 1999, AMCOMP began to develop a comprehensive education program, involving individuals associated with well-established educational institutions who could help AMCOMP achieve the educational goals that the Association had set forth.

The Association leadership continued to encourage and urge the Committee to develop a comprehensive program with a certification plan. After a long year of refining and fine-tuning this program, the Association achieved its goal of completing a comprehensive, three-part certification program.

The AMCOMP Certification program, leading to the certified Workers Compensation Professional (“WCP”) designation, consists of three parts, each consisting of ten chapters. Each part of the program is designed in a fashion similar to a regular college course, building on materials covered in the preceding parts.

The AMCOMP Certification program is intended to develop a basic foundation of knowledge of the various aspects of workers compensation so that individuals who have completed the program will have a better understanding and appreciation of how the various pieces (e.g. claims, risk management, pricing, etc) work together in order to make the greater whole.

Part I
Part One covers the introductory portion of the program and is designed to provide a general overview of the insurance mechanism inclusive of both ethics and insurance operations. Major components of Part One are taken from existing Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) courses with the Course Guide modified to focus on those aspects that relate specifically to workers compensation.

A strong emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of the principles of marketing and the various distribution systems. The overview also includes chapters that examine loss control, premium auditing, ratemaking, actuarial functions and claims adjusting.

Additionally, in a recent decision recognizing the strength of the educational curriculums of two prominent industry organizations, AMCOMP, together with the American Institute for CPCU and the Insurance Institute of America (AICPCU/IIA), have announced course waivers for certified professionals in one organization who seek certification in the other.

Given the overlap of information provided in the two courses, candidates for the CPCU designation who hold AMCOMP's WCP designation can ask for a waiver of the CPCU 520 course. Similarly, those candidates for AMCOMP's WCP designation who hold the
CPCU designation can ask for a waiver of the AMCOMP Part One curriculum.

Part II
Part Two focuses more directly on the field of workers compensation, beginning with an examination of the social philosophy behind workers compensation, its early development and concluding with a look at where we are today with current laws.

Subsequent chapters review which employees are covered and which employers are subject to law. The types of injuries and illnesses covered under
workers compensation will be studied along with the type of benefits to which an injured worker — or dependents —may be entitled.

Part Two continues with an analysis of the standard Workers Compensation and Employee Liability Policy and the endorsements that serve as the primary means to expand or restrict coverage. Staying with the subject of the policy, the following chapters then shift to a review of the subjects of manual rating, experience rating and retrospective rating.

Monte Almer, President, New York Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau

This part concludes with a discussion of the costs and benefits along with questions a risk manager needs to answer concerning the operations of a self-insurance program.

4 Monte Almer, President, New York Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau A“home study” exam based on the honor system is required to be taken upon the completion of Parts One and Two. To order the home study exam, simply fill out an AMCOMPorder form and mail it to the address listed on the form. The cost for the exam is included in the cost of ordering the course materials. Exams should be returned for grading within 30 days of receipt of the exam. Notification of exam grades will be issued in writing.

Part III
The themes established in Part Two are continued in Part Three with further focus on the techniques available to prevent workplace injuries along with the points to consider when underwriting an account for workers compensation insurance.

Practices associated with claims investigation, the delivery of benefits, and the resolution of disputes will be presented from the perspective of a number of jurisdictions. The medical aspect of workers compensation claims is also reviewed along with the multitude of cost containment strategies that have been part of the field since its inception and more recent developments in that area.

Kevin M. Ryan, Esq., Partner, Bickerstaff, Whatley, Ryan & Burkhalter

Part Three continues with a look at the rapidly changing subject of performance measures and how data can be compiled in an attempt to improve performance for every entity involved in workers compensation. Federal laws (e.g., Social Security,ADA, FMLA) that interact with workers compensation are examined to bring a higher level of awareness of the potential ramifications of these laws.

In light of the growing interest in the global economy, a brief examination of some of the work injury programs
found in foreign jurisdictions is also addressed. The concluding chapter in Part Three was originally intended to address a number
of developing issues. However, the events of September 11, 2001 have prompted us to focus the discussion of the impact of events of 9/11 on workers compensation claims and especially its impact in New York.

This discussion of terrorism losses leads to an examination of legislation, enacted at the federal level, to ensure the availability of insurance, including workers compensation insurance. As evidenced by the introduction of the subject of terrorism, workers compensation is not a static form of economic protection, but rather the product of many evolving issues such as personal records privacy, ergonomics, the new world of e-commerce, etc. The intent of the course of study is not to furnish a definitive answer to any of these topics, but rather to continue to put forth the best and freshest ideas that come to AMCOMP’s attention so that those who have taken the AMCOMP course will see 5 Kevin M. Ryan, Esq., Partner, Bickerstaff, Whatley, Ryan & Burkhalter the many sides associated with each of these developing issues.

Upon completion of Part Three of the program individuals enrolled in the course are required to sit for a written, proctored exam. This exam is inclusive of materials covered in Parts One, Two and Three. The exam is administered in conjunction with AMCOMP educational forums, seminars and conferences and at other times arranged by AMCOMP. Successful completion of the exam will enable AMCOMP to recognize an individual as a certified Workers Compensation Professional (“WCP”). Individuals will be issued a certification certificate and a WCP Lapel Pin. Ongoing educational opportunities will be available for WCP’s at regular forums and educational seminars to enable individuals to maintain the AMCOMP Certification status.

Thomas C. Schell, Vice President, ParadigmHealth Corporation

AMCOMP Certification status is honored for a two-year period.
To maintain WCP status, an individual must complete 28 hours of continuing education every two years following receipt of the WCP designation. Credit hours are described in further detail on the following page under “Maintenance of Certification.” No single program can ever contain all of the potential topics and issues that might arise so as to make one an “expert” in every area in the field of workers compensation. The AMCOMP program is no exception. However, this program is intended to create a foundation of knowledge — both from the historical and the futuristic perspective — that will ensure a comprehensive level of understanding for individuals who has completed all three parts of the program.

Enrollment applications, price list, required reading list, course materials and the certification criteria follow. (Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for delivery of materials.) AMCOMP is committed to maintaining a current understanding of emerging industry trends and issues that relate to injuries in the workplace. Such information is shared with professionals in the field of workers compensation through newsletters, annual meetings, seminars and workshops. 6 Thomas C. Schell, Vice President, ParadigmHealth Corporation