As most everyone who handles Illinois workers’ compensation claims know, the state’s Governor signed workers’s compensation reform this summer that can have a positive impact on employers, agents and carriers. Everyone involved, however, must become informed and work together to ensure the full benefit of this new legislation is realized.

For employers, one of the most important components of this new law is choosing a Preferred Provider Program (PPP). A PPP is a network of medical providers who treat work related injuries. After an employee notifies his or her employer of an injury, the employer must notify the employee in writing of the PPP along with their rights and responsibilities. PPP’s have to be approved by the Illinois Department of Insurance.

Frankenmuth Insurance is being pro active on this issue, and the company is in the process of selecting providers for PPP networks. We believe they will provide the best care along with being geographically accessible to all of our insureds across the state. These will be listed on our website by the end of January 2012. We also encourage everyone to go to the State of Illinois Website, www.iwcc.il.gov to become better informed on the law, the process for choosing a PPP and the required forms. Change is never easy, but we see this change as very positive for Illinois.