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Lessons Learned: Drug Testing

November 1, 2017 | Author: LCI | Categories: Business Tips, Featured

Yvonne Rosen

The Claim

We received—and denied—a recent claim that clearly illustrates the importance of having a drug and alcohol policy. A worker for one of our policyholders smashed his hand in a large door. The business took him for treatment at an urgent care clinic, which also performed a drug test. The injured worker tested positive for THC, and LCI was able to deny the claim. This saved the business from having a claim on its record.

 

What Was Done Right?

Our policyholder handled the situation perfectly—a textbook example of how to handle claims. The following two factors, a policy and a decision, helped this situation play out the way it did.

  1. A Drug and Alcohol Policy – The business informs each employee upon hire of its drug and alcohol policy, which states that drugs and alcohol are prohibited, and that the company has a zero-tolerance policy. The company also requires each employee to sign a copy of the policy stating that they will comply with it.
  2. Decision to Utilize an Urgent Care Clinic – In non-emergency situations, we strongly recommend urgent care and/ or occupational health clinics as opposed to emergency rooms for two reasons. First, the costs are lower and it keeps emergency rooms open for real emergencies. Second, and perhaps most importantly, a lot of ERs will not drug test, whereas urgent care clinics will.

 

The Importance of The Drug Test

While this injured worker did not retain an attorney to fight our denied claim, some workers will. An organization that has a drug and alcohol policy will help fight the validity of the claim. A failed drug test will save both us and our policyholders claims costs. We’re happy to give you a sample policy and give you tips for putting it in place.

To learn more about drug and alcohol policies, contact Amanda Villemarette in LCI’s Loss Control Department at 985-612- 1587. With any other claims questions, call our LCI’s Claims Department at 888-246-1988. Feel free to call any time about existing claims or questions about reporting future claims.

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