Subchapter B. GROUP SELF-INSURANCE
Sec.
125.101—125.123. [Reserved].
125.131. Purpose.
125.132. Definitions.
125.133. Application.
125.134. Decision on application.
125.135. Classification system; experience rating; contributions rates.
125.136. Addition of members.
125.137. Withdrawal or expulsion of members.
125.138. Change in legal status, ownership, financial condition, name and address of member.
125.139. Change of administrator, fiscal agent or service companies.
125.140. Change of trust agreement, bylaws or written policies; notification of insufficient assets.
125.141. Annual report.
125.142. Maintenance of fund permit.
125.143. Restriction on the use of assets.
125.144. Revocation and voluntary termination of permit.
125.145. Merger of funds.
125.146. Payment of dividends.
125.147. Special funds assessments.
125.148. Security.
125.149. Specific excess insurance and aggregate excess insurance.
125.150. Runoff fund.
125.151. Claims service companies.
125.152. Board of trustees.
125.153. Additional powers of Bureau.
125.154. Hearings.
125.155. Homogeneity.
125.156. Computation of time.§ § 125.101—125.123. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of these § § 125.101—125.123 reserved October 13, 1995, effective October 14, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 4449. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (186463) to (186481).
§ 125.131. Purpose.
This subchapter is promulgated under sections 435 and 818 of the act (77 P. S. § § 991 and 1036.18) to provide regulatory guidelines for uniform and orderly administration of group self-insurance funds under Article VIII of the act (77 P.S § § 1036.1—1036.18). This subchapter will ensure full payment of compensation due under the act and the Occupational Disease Act to employes of employers that pool their liabilities through participation in a group self-insurance fund.
§ 125.132. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Act—The Workers’ Compensation Act (77 P. S. § § 1—1038.2).
Administrator—An administrator as defined in section 801 of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.1).
Aggregate excess insurance—Insurance which provides that the excess insurer pays on behalf of or reimburses a fund for its payment of benefits on claims incurred during a policy period in excess of the retention amount to the excess insurer’s limit of liability.
Applicant—A group of five or more homogeneous employers requesting approval of the Bureau to operate as a fund.
Board of trustees—The governing body of a fund.
Bureau—The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation of the Department.
Claims service company—An individual, corporation, partnership or association engaged in the business of servicing a fund’s claims, including the adjusting and handling of claims, the payment of benefits and the provision of required reports.
Contributions—The amount of money charged each member to fund the obligations and expenses of a fund. The term includes charges calculated and made known to the members prior to the beginning of each fund year, and adjustments to those charges made during the fund year by the board of trustees.
Department—The Department of Labor and Industry of the Commonwealth.
Dividends—Cash, contribution credits or similar distributions provided to the members from surplus.
Employer—An employer as defined in section 801 of the act.
Excess insurer—An insurance company authorized to transact the class of insurance listed in section 202(c)(14) of The Insurance Company Law of 1921 (40 P. S. § 382(c)(14)).
Fiscal agent—An individual, corporation, partnership or association engaged by a fund to carry out the fiscal policies of the fund and to invest, manage, hold and disburse fund assets. The board of trustees may delegate the duties of fiscal agent to the administrator.
Fund—A fund as defined in section 801 of the act. The fund shall assume the liabilities and obligations of its members under the act and the Occupational Disease Act.
Fund year—The fiscal year and annual reporting period of a fund, which shall consist of 12 calendar months, except for the first year, which may consist of fewer or more than 12 months as established by the Bureau.
Homogeneity—Homogeneity exists where a fund is comprised of homogeneous employers.
Homogeneous employers—Employers who have been assigned to the same classification series for at least 1 year or are engaged in the same or similar types of business, including political subdivisions.
Independent actuary—An independent actuary as defined in section 801 of the act.
Loss costs—The dollar amounts per unit of exposure attributable to the payment of losses under the act and the Occupational Disease Act, filed by a rating organization based on aggregate experience of all members of that rating organization and approved by the Insurance Commissioner under Article VII of the act (77 P. S. § § 1035.1—1035.22).
Loss-cost multiplier—A factor approved by the Bureau for each fund which is multiplied against the loss costs to recoup the fund’s administrative and operating costs and expenses, including:(i) The fund’s costs in connection with the examination, investigation, handling, adjusting and litigation of claims.
(ii) The cost of excess insurance, loss control services, underwriting services, assessments and taxes.
(iii) The fees and commissions for accountants, attorneys, actuaries, investment advisors and other specialists whose services are necessary for the operation and administration of the fund.
Member—An employer participating in a fund.
Occupational Disease Act—The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act (77 P. S. § § 1201—1603).
Permit—A permit as defined in section 801 of the act.
Plan committee—A plan committee as defined in section 801 of the act.
Political subdivision—A political subdivision as defined in section 801 of the act.
Retention amount—The maximum amount of benefits a fund would be required to pay without reimbursement from the excess insurer under an aggregate or specific excess insurance policy.
Runoff fund—A fund which voluntarily terminated its permit or a fund whose permit was revoked by the Bureau.
Security—Security as defined in section 801 of the act.
Service company—A claims service company and all other individuals, corporations, partnerships or associations engaged by a fund to provide the fund with services such as legal assistance, underwriting, safety engineering, loss control, medical management, information analysis, statistics compilation, loss and expense report preparation and contribution development.
Specific excess insurance—Insurance which provides that the excess insurer pays on behalf of or reimburses a fund for its payment of benefits on each occurrence in excess of the retention amount to the excess insurer’s limit of liability.
Surplus—Surplus as defined in section 801 of the act. In determining surplus, incurred but not reported claims shall be included in the calculation of incurred losses.
Trust agreement—A trust as defined in section 801 of the act.
Trustee—Each person serving as a member of the board of trustees.
Source The provisions of this § 125.132 amended October 23, 1998, effective October 24, 1998, apply to a group self-insurance fund for the fund year commencing after final publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, 28 Pa.B. 5459. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (201154) to (201156).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 125.155 (relating to homogeneity).
§ 125.133. Application.
(a) An applicant shall file an application on a form prescribed by the Bureau. Questions on the application shall be answered thoroughly and completely with the most recent information available. A rider may be attached if more space is necessary. The application shall be signed by a representative of the applicant and attested to as set forth on the application. Any attached rider and applicable form enclosed with the application shall be verified to in the sworn affidavit requested on the application.
(b) Applications shall be filed with the Bureau no later than 90 days prior to the requested effective date of the fund.
(c) With the application, the applicant shall include:
(1) The nonrefundable fee in the amount of $1,000 required by section 802(c) of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.2(c)).
(2) The audited financial statements presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of one prospective member with a net worth of at least $1 million or of more than one prospective member with aggregate net worth of at least $1 million, or an amount as may be promulgated annually by the Bureau and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin to take effect on January 1 of each year. This paragraph does not apply to applicants composed of political subdivisions.
(3) The prior fiscal year’s audited or reviewed financial statements of each prospective member whose annual contribution to the fund would make up more than 10% of the total annual contributions to the fund.
(4) An explanation of the same classification series, as described under § 125.155(a) (relating to homogeneity), common to all prospective members with the amount of each member’s contributions derived from the classification codes within the common series, or an explanation of how the prospective members are engaged in the same or similar types of business, as described under § 125.155(b). The Bureau may request additional information to determine the homogeneity of the applicant.
(5) If the applicant is eligible under § 125.135 (relating to classification system; experience rating; contributions rates) and is requesting to deviate from the loss costs of a rating organization as defined under section 703 of the act (77 P. S. § 1035.3), a report prepared by an independent actuary projecting the workers’ compensation incurred loss experience of the applicant during its first fund year by various levels of actuarial confidence and rendering an opinion that the rates requested for use will be adequate to satisfy the applicant’s obligations and expenses.
(6) A schedule of the projected annual contributions which will be paid by each prospective member and in total during the first fund year and worksheets showing the calculation of each prospective member’s annual contributions.
(7) A schedule of projected administrative expenses in dollar amounts and as a percentage of the estimated total member contributions for the first fund year.
(8) The applicant’s proposed trust agreement and bylaws, which shall include:
(i) A pledge that each member will be jointly and severally liable for the expenses and other obligations of the fund and for each other member’s workers’ compensation liability which is incurred while it is a member, including liability for assessments on claims incurred during a member’s membership but not issued until after it has terminated membership.
(ii) A pledge that the applicant will remain liable to pay and administer the claims incurred by members while they participated in the fund.
(iii) The powers, duties and responsibilities of the board of trustees.
(iv) The structure of the board of trustees.
(v) The method of appointing, removing and replacing trustees by the plan committee.
(vi) The persons or committee responsible for the acquisitions, management, investment and disposition of real and personal property of the fund.
(vii) The rights, privileges and obligations of the members.
(viii) Procedures for amending the trust agreement and the bylaws, which shall require the approval of the plan committee.
(ix) Requirements for membership.
(x) Procedures for the withdrawal or expulsion of members.
(xi) Rules on payment and collection of contributions and assessments.
(xii) Procedures for resolving disputes between members and the fund.
(xiii) The powers and responsibilities of the plan committee.
(xiv) Procedures for calling special meetings of the board of trustees and the plan committee.
(xv) Delineation of authority granted to the administrator, the fiscal agent and the service companies.
(9) Policy statements on the following subjects:
(i) Underwriting standards.
(ii) Asset investment policies and strategy based on permitted investments of capital or surplus of stock casualty insurance companies in section 602 or 603 of The Insurance Company Law of 1921 (40 P. S. § § 722 and 723) (Repealed). For the purpose of this subparagraph, permitted investments of capital or surplus of stock casualty insurance companies in section 602 or 603 of The Insurance Company Law of 1921 shall include investments permitted for domestic stock casualty insurance companies under section 602.1 of The Insurance Company Law of 1921 (40 P. S. § 722.1).
(iii) The timing, frequency and calculation of supplemental assessments needed to maintain actuarially appropriate reserves.
(iv) The payment of dividends and the maintenance of surplus.
(v) Procedures and policies on member payroll audits and the adjustment of contributions based on the results of the audits.
(10) Membership applications executed by each prospective member and approved by the applicant on a form prescribed by the Bureau. The membership application will also serve the purpose of the letter of intent required under section 802(b)(12) of the act.
(11) A report on a form prescribed by the Bureau summarizing the scope, function and operation of the proposed loss prevention and safety program required under sections 802(b)(13) and 1001(b) of the act (77 P. S. § § 1036.2(b)(13) and 1038.1(b)) and regulations thereunder.
(12) The applicant’s proposed loss-cost multiplier on a form prescribed by the Bureau.
(d) The Bureau will not begin its review of the application until the application and the required supporting materials as outlined in this section have been submitted.
(e) The applicant shall provide additional data and information that the Bureau deems pertinent to its review of the application based on the factors enumerated under § 125.134 (relating to decision on application). The applicant shall provide data and information within the time prescribed by the Bureau, which will be reasonable based on the extent and the availability of the data and information required.
Source The provisions of this § 125.133 amended October 23, 1998, effective October 24, 1998, apply to a group self-insurance fund for fund year commencing after final publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, 28 Pa.B. 5459; amended July 13, 2001, effective July 14, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 3841. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (250140) to (250142).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 125.143 (relating to restriction on the use of assets).
§ 125.134. Decision on application.
(a) The application of an applicant which meets the requirements of the act relating to matters such as the number of homogeneous employers, aggregate net worth and aggregate premium will be approved if the Bureau determines that the applicant has demonstrated, with reasonable certainty, that it will meet the liabilities incurred by its members under the act and the Occupational Disease Act. The Bureau will include the following factors in assessing the applicant’s ability to meet those liabilities:
(1) The adequacy of member contributions.
(2) The applicant’s plans for the establishment of surpluses to absorb matters such as unexpected losses and uncollected contributions.
(3) The applicant’s plans for member assessments needed to maintain actuarially appropriate loss reserves.
(4) Restrictions on the payment of dividends on surplus.
(5) The overall financial ability of the members to satisfy their obligations to the applicant.
(6) The applicant’s ability to control losses through the safety and loss control program proposed.
(7) The excess insurance coverage obtained by the fund, if any.
(8) The validity of the actuarial assumptions used to predict the likely loss levels, if any.
(9) The liquidity and safety of the fund’s assets.
(10) The likely stability of membership in the fund.
(11) The adequacy of the trust agreement, bylaws and written policies.
(12) The degree to which the total risk of the fund is spread among the members.
(b) If the Bureau’s assessment under subsection (a) is that the applicant can meet its obligations, it will send to the applicant a preliminary approval notice of the application and a list of conditions under subsection (d) that shall be met before the applicant may operate as a fund.
(c) An applicant has 60 days from the receipt of the preliminary approval notice to comply with the conditions set forth by the Bureau. The applicant may toll the 60-day compliance period by filing a request for a conference under subsection (f). An applicant may be granted a 30-day extension to meet the conditions if the applicant requests an extension in writing to the Bureau within the initial 60-day compliance period. The application of an applicant which does not meet the conditions within the compliance period will be deemed withdrawn.
(d) The applicant will be issued a permit which is effective no sooner than 15 days after the following has been filed with the Bureau:
(1) The trust agreement and bylaws as approved by the Bureau and executed by the members.
(2) Security in an amount as determined by the Bureau, if any. This requirement does not apply to funds comprised exclusively of political subdivisions.
(3) A certificate providing evidence of excess insurance as required by the Bureau.
(4) Confirmation of the name and address of the administrator, fiscal agent and of service companies the applicant will use.
(5) Certification by the administrator that each member has paid 25% of its annual contribution to the fund.
(6) One or more fidelity bonds to protect the fund against misappropriation or misuse of assets on a form and in an amount approved by the Bureau. The fidelity bonds shall cover the individuals and contractors who will handle fund assets or who will have authority to gain access to fund assets, including trustees, the administrator, the fiscal agent and the claims service company. The fiscal agent need not be covered by a bond if it is a duly chartered commercial bank or trust company.
(7) Documents relating to other requirements set by the Bureau to protect the compensation rights of employes of members.
(e) If upon review of the pertinent data the Bureau finds that the applicant does not meet the requirements of subsection (a), it will send to the applicant a written preliminary denial notice of the application. The notice will state the documents, evidence and other data received from the applicant or otherwise reviewed or considered by the Bureau in reaching its preliminary determination.
(f) The applicant may request a conference with the Bureau upon receipt of the Bureau’s preliminary approval notice or denial notice. A conference request shall be made in writing within 20 days after the receipt of the preliminary notice. At the conference, the applicant may present additional evidence or data to support its application or the alteration of the conditions required in the preliminary approval notice. The applicant may present that information to the Bureau in writing, or in person, or both.
(g) After a conference and the receipt of written submissions, the Chief of the Self-Insurance Division of the Bureau will promptly review the entire record of the applicant and will issue a reconsideration decision on the application.
(h) An applicant shall have a right to appeal a reconsideration decision issued under subsection (g) with the Bureau within 30 days of the receipt of the reconsideration decision. Untimely appeals will be dismissed without further action by the Bureau. A hearing will be conducted on the appeal as specified in § 125.154 (relating to hearings).
Source The provisions of this § 125.134 amended October 23, 1998, effective October 24, 1998, apply to applicants, self-insurers, runoff self-insurers, group self-insurance funds and runoff funds, 28 Pa.B. 5459. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (201159) to (201160).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 125.133 (relating to application); 34 Pa. Code § 125.141 (relating to annual report); and 34 Pa. Code § 125.148 (relating to security).
§ 125.135. Classification system; experience rating; contribution rates.
(a) A fund shall adhere to the uniform classification system and uniform experience rating plan filed with the Commissioner of the Insurance Department by a rating organization under Article VII of the act (77 P. S. § § 1035.1—1035.22).
(b) A fund shall base its member contribution rates on no less than the current effective loss costs plus the fund’s approved loss-cost multiplier. A fund may also reduce a member’s contribution rates for up to 5 years by 5% if the member establishes a workplace safety committee which received certification by the Department and continues to meet certification requirements under section 1002 of the act (77 P. S. § 1038.2) and regulations thereunder.
(c) No later than 45 days prior to the beginning of a fund year, a fund may request the Bureau’s permission to change its loss-cost multiplier for member contributions payable during that next fund year. The request to change a fund’s loss-cost multiplier shall be on a form prescribed by the Bureau. The fund may support its loss-cost multiplier request with a report prepared by an independent actuary but an actuarial report is not required.
(d) If the Bureau determines that the loss-cost multiplier requested under subsection (c) is unreasonably low, so that it impairs the fund’s ability to meet its expenses, the Bureau will notify the fund that the loss-cost multiplier request is denied. The notification will be sent to the fund no later than 30 days after the filing of the request. Use of a loss-cost multiplier which has not been approved by the Bureau shall result in the revocation of the fund’s permit under section 805(a) of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.5).
(e) No later than 45 days prior to the beginning of a fund year following its third year of operation, a fund may request permission of the Bureau to deviate from the uniform classification system, uniform experience rating plan, loss costs and discounts outlined in subsections (a) and (b), including the use of retrospectively rated and deductible plans. An applicant comprised of a majority of prospective members who are participants in a group insurance purchase cooperative/safety group for at least 3 years prior to the submission of its application or comprised of a majority of prospective members who are political subdivisions approved as self-insurers under section 305 of the act (77 P. S. § 501) may also request permission of the Bureau to deviate from the requirements of subsections (a) and (b).
(f) A deviation request under subsection (e) shall be supported by a report prepared by an independent actuary projecting the incurred loss experience of the fund forits next fund year by various levels of actuarial confidence and rendering an opinion that the total contributions received if the deviation is permitted will be adequate to satisfy the applicant’s obligations and expenses. A request for deviation from the loss costs of a rating organization shall include a schedule of the loss costs proposed for the fund year.
(g) If the Bureau determines that the deviation requested under subsection (e) may impair the fund’s ability to meet its obligations, it will notify the fund that the deviation request is denied. The notification will be sent to the fund no later than 30 days after the filing of the request. Use of loss costs which have not been approved by the Bureau will result in the revocation of the fund’s permit under section 805(a) of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.5).
Source The provisions of this § 125.135 amended October 23, 1998, effective October 24, 1998, apply to a group self-insurance fund for fund year commencing after final publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, 28 Pa.B. 5459. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (201161).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 125.133 (relating to application).
§ 125.136. Addition of members.
(a) The addition of a new member to a fund shall be approved on an application form prescribed by the Bureau. The approval shall be granted by the plan committee or the board of trustees or by the administrator if the board of trustees has delegated this authority to the administrator.
(b) The approved application form for fund membership shall be filed with the Bureau no more than 15 days after the effective date of the employer’s membership in the fund.
(c) With the approved application, the fund shall submit to the Bureau:
(1) Evidence of the prospective member’s execution of the trust agreement and the bylaws.
(2) A schedule of the prospective member’s annual contributions to the fund.
(3) The prospective member’s prior year’s audited or reviewed financial statement if its annual contributions will make up more than 10% of total annual contributions to the fund.
(d) The fund shall provide to the Bureau financial information requested by the Bureau to determine whether the addition of a member will affect the fund’s continuing ability to satisfy its obligations, such as special financial statements or projections.
(e) The Bureau will notify the fund and the new member if it finds that the new member will disturb the homogeneity of the fund. The new member’s participation in the fund shall terminate 15 days after the issuance of the notice.
§ 125.137. Withdrawal or expulsion of members.
(a) A fund shall notify the Bureau in writing of the withdrawal or expulsion of a member no less than 15 days prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or expulsion.
(b) Each member which withdraws or is expelled from a fund shall provide to the Bureau a certificate providing evidence of its workers’ compensation coverage by the effective date of its withdrawal or expulsion.
(c) The fund shall provide to the Bureau any financial information requested by the Bureau to determine whether the withdrawal or expulsion of a member will affect the fund’s continuing ability to satisfy its obligations, such as special financial statements or projections.
§ 125.138. Change in legal status, ownership, financial condition, name and address of member.
(a) A member shall promptly notify the fund in writing in the event of a change in its or its parent’s controlling interest, by sale or otherwise.
(b) A member which amends its articles, charter or agreement of incorporation, association, partnership or sole proprietorship to change its identity or business structure shall promptly notify the fund in writing of that action.
(c) A member shall promptly notify the fund in writing of any material adverse changes to its financial condition.
(d) A member shall promptly notify the fund in writing of any changes in its name or address.
(e) The fund shall promptly notify the Bureau in writing of changes reported by members under subsections (a)—(d).
§ 125.139. Change of administrator, fiscal agent or service companies.
A fund shall promptly notify the Bureau in writing of a change in its administrator, fiscal agent or its service companies.
§ 125.140. Change of trust agreement, bylaws or written policies; notification of insufficient assets.
(a) A fund shall promptly file with the Bureau amendments to its trust agreement or bylaws or amendments to its written policies which could materially affect the operation of the fund.
(b) A fund which knows, or should know, that it has insufficient assets to maintain actuarially appropriate loss reserves as defined under section 801 of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.1) shall immediately notify the Bureau in writing of this condition. With the notification, the fund shall inform the Bureau of its plan to correct the deficiency.
§ 125.141. Annual report.
(a) No more than 5 months following the end of each fund year, a fund shall file a report with the Bureau as required by section 815 of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.15). Failure to file an annual report in the time prescribed may result in the revocation of the fund’s permit.
(b) The fund shall submit with its annual report:
(1) The evaluation fee in the amount of $1,000 required by section 815(c) of the act.
(2) The fund’s audited financial statements for its prior fund year as prepared by a certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
(3) A report prepared by an independent actuary projecting the value of the fund’s incurred and outstanding liability by fund year.
(4) The prior fiscal year’s audited or reviewed financial statements of each member whose annual contribution to the fund makes up more than 10% of the total annual contributions to the fund.
(5) A schedule of the projected administrative expenses in dollar amounts and as a percentage of the total member contributions for the current fund year.
(6) A schedule of the annual contributions which will be paid by each member and in total during the current fund year and worksheets showing the calculation of each member’s annual contributions.
(7) A certificate providing evidence of excess insurance as required by the Bureau.
(8) A schedule of member dividends paid during the prior fund year and the fund year from which the dividends were paid.
(9) A schedule of the dividends the fund plans to return to its members during the current year. The schedule shall include a recommendation from an independent actuary that the dividends proposed will not impair the fund’s ability to meet its obligations and that the dividends will comply with the other requirements of section 809 of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.9).
(10) Confirmation of the existence of the fidelity bonds required under § 125.134(d)(6) (relating to decision on application).
(c) A fund shall provide to the Bureau other information required by the Bureau to determine whether the fund has the ability to continue to satisfy its obligations and expenses.
(d) The Bureau may require a fund to file interim reports during its fund year of its financial condition, claims experience and other items the Bureau may require.
(e) Extensions of the filing date under subsection (a) may be granted by the Bureau for 30-day periods upon good cause shown by the fund in stating its reasons for requesting the extension. The request for extension shall be submitted in writing no less than 10 days prior to the due date in sufficient detail to permit the Bureau to make an informed decision with respect to the requested extension.
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 125.143 (relating to restriction on the use of assets); and 34 Pa. Code § 125.146 (relating to payment of dividends).
§ 125.142. Maintenance of fund permit.
Following the submission of a fund’s annual report or at other times determined by the Bureau, the Bureau may revise the conditions previously set for the issuance of the fund’s permit. The fund’s permit may be revoked if the revised conditions are not met in the time prescribed by the Bureau, subject to the right of a hearing under § 125.154 (relating to hearings).
§ 125.143. Restriction on the use of assets.
(a) A fund, its board of trustees, fiscal agent or administrator may not use member contributions for a purpose unrelated to the satisfaction of the workers’ compensation obligation of the fund and expenses related to those obligations.
(b) The board of trustees, administrator or fiscal agent of the fund may not borrow money from the fund or in the name of the fund, including the issuance of loan guarantees or other forms of encumbrances.
(c) A fund may not extend credit to a member for payment of contributions. This subsection does not prohibit the payment of annual contributions based on an installment plan as presented in the schedule submitted to the Bureau in § 125.133(c)(6) or § 125.141(b)(6) (relating to application; and annual report).
§ 125.144. Revocation and voluntary termination of permit.
(a) Upon the revocation or voluntary termination of a permit under sections 805(a) or 808(c) of the act (77 P. S. § § 1036.5 and 1036.8), members shall insure their liabilities to pay compensation as required by the act.
(b) Upon the approval of the Bureau, a revoked or terminated fund may be allowed to operate as a runoff fund to pay claims incurred during the effective period of its permit from assets currently on hand or from assessments of its members. Absent this approval, a revoked or terminated fund shall make its best efforts to insure the workers’ compensation liability incurred prior to the revocation or termination of its permit with a carrier licensed to write workers’ compensation in this Commonwealth. The revoked or terminated fund shall pay insurance premiums from its assets and from assessments of its members, if necessary.
(c) Upon proof provided to the Bureau that a revoked or terminated fund is unable to obtain insurance coverage for the workers’ compensation liability incurred prior to the revocation or termination of its permit, the revoked or terminated fund shall operate as a runoff fund and shall pay claims on the liability from its assets and from assessments of its members.
§ 125.145. Merger of funds.
(a) Subject to the prior written approval of the Bureau, a fund may merge with another fund with the same homogeneous characteristics if the resulting fund assumes in full all obligations of the merging funds.
(b) The resulting fund may be a continuing fund under the name of one or more of the merged funds or a new fund whose name shall be subject to the Bureau’s approval. In all respects, the continuing fund or the new fund shall be subject to this subchapter. Funds merging under this section shall enter into a written agreement for the merger prescribing the merger’s terms and conditions. The agreement shall be the following:
(1) Assented to by a majority of the plan committee and the board of trustees of each fund.
(2) Executed in duplicate by a majority of the board of trustees of each fund.
(3) Accompanied by copies of the resolutions authorizing the merger and the execution of the agreement attested by the recording officer of each fund.
(4) Submitted to the Bureau, with the records of the fund pertaining thereto.
(c) If the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) have been complied with, the Bureau will issue a new permit to the merged fund with the powers retained and specified in the agreement.
(d) Upon merger, the rights and properties of the several funds shall accrue to and become the property of the merged fund, which shall succeed to all the obligations and liabilities of the merged funds, in the same manner as if they had been incurred or contracted by it. The members of the merged fund shall continue to be subject to all the liabilities, claims and demands existing against them at or before the merger.
(e) No action or proceeding pending at the time of the merger in which any or all of the funds merged may be a party will abate or be discontinued by reason of the merger, but the same may be prosecuted to final judgment in the same manner as if the merger had not taken place, or the continuing fund or the new fund may be substituted in place of a fund so merged by order of the court in which the action or proceeding may be pending.
(f) Members of either merging fund who do not wish to belong to the merged fund may withdraw their membership at the time of the merger without penalty. They will remain jointly and severally liable for the claims, expenses and other obligations incurred by the fund during the period of their membership and prior to the merger.
§ 125.146. Payment of dividends.
(a) Payment of dividends to members as permitted in section 809 of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.9) may not be made sooner than 60 days following a fund’s filing of its annual report as required by § 125.141 (relating to annual report). A runoff fund may not pay dividends sooner than 60 days following its filing of the report required by § 125.150 (relating to runoff fund).
(b) If the Bureau determines that the payment of proposed dividends may impair the fund’s ability to meet its obligations or may violate other provisions of section 809 of the act, it will notify the fund that the dividend payment is prohibited. The notification will be sent to the fund no later than 45 days after the filing of the annual report. Payment of dividends which have not been approved by the Bureau will result in the revocation of the fund’s permit under section 805(a) of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.5(a)).
§ 125.147. Special funds assessments.
(a) A fund is responsible for the payment of assessments to maintain funds under the act, including:
(1) The Workmen’s Compensation Administration Fund.
(2) The Subsequent Injury Fund.
(3) The Workmen’s Compensation Supersedeas Fund.
(4) The Self-Insurance Guaranty Fund.
(b) A runoff fund is liable for the payment of any assessments made after the termination or revocation of its permit until it has discharged the obligations to pay compensation which arose during the effective period of its permit. The assessments of a runoff fund shall be based on the payment of claims that arose during the effective period of the fund’s permit.
(c) A fund shall keep accurate records of compensation paid on a calendar year basis, including payment for disability of all types, death benefits, medical benefits and funeral expenses, for the purposes of assessments under the act. The records shall be available for audit or physical inspection by Bureau employes or other designated persons, whether in the possession of the fund or a service company.
§ 125.148. Security.
The security required in § 125.134(d)(2) (relating to decision on application) shall be in one of the following forms:
(1) A surety bond on a form prescribed by the Bureau issued by a company authorized to transact surety business in this Commonwealth by the Insurance Department.
(i) The surety company shall possess a current A.M. Best Rating of B+ or better or a Standard and Poor’s rating of claims paying ability of A or better.
(ii) The fund shall replace the bond with a new bond issued by a surety company with an acceptable rating or with another acceptable form of security if the surety company’s rating falls below the acceptable rating after the bond is issued. If the bond is not replaced within 60 days, the Bureau will have discretion to draw on the surety bond and deposit the proceeds with the State Treasurer to secure the fund’s obligation.
(2) A security deposit held under a trust agreement prescribed by the Bureau.
(i) The deposit shall consist of cash; bonds or other evidence of indebtedness issued, assumed or guaranteed by the United States, or by an agency or instrumentality of the United States; investments in common funds or regulated investment companies which invest primarily in United States Government or Government agency obligations; or bonds or other security issued by the Commonwealth and backed by the Commonwealth’s full faith and credit.
(ii) The securities shall be held in a Commonwealth chartered bank and trust company or trust company as defined in section 102 of the Banking Code of 1965 (7 P. S. § 102) or a Federally chartered bank or foreign bank with a branch office and trust powers in this Commonwealth.
(3) An irrevocable letter of credit using language required by the Bureau issued by and payable at a branch office of a commercial bank located in the continental United States, Alaska or Hawaii. The letter of credit shall state that the terms of the letter of credit automatically renew annually unless the letter of credit is specifically nonrenewed by the issuing bank 60 days or more prior to the anniversary date of its issuance.
(i) At the time of issuance of the letter of credit, the issuing bank or its holding company shall have a B/C or better rating or 2.5 or better score by Thomson BankWatch or the issuing bank shall have a CD rating of BBB or better by Standard & Poor’s Corporation.
(ii) The fund shall replace the letter of credit with a new letter of credit issued by a bank with an acceptable credit rating, or with another acceptable form of security, if the bank’s rating falls below the acceptable rating after the letter of credit is issued. If the letter of credit is not replaced within 60 days, the Bureau will draw on the letter of credit and will deposit the proceeds to secure the fund’s obligations.
(iii) The fund shall execute a standby trust agreement on a form prescribed by the Bureau with a Commonwealth chartered bank and trust company or trust company as defined in section 102 of the Banking Code of 1965 or a Federally chartered bank or foreign bank with a branch office and trust powers in this Commonwealth. The trust agreement will accommodate proceeds from a letter of credit drawn on by the Bureau.
Source The provisions of this § 125.148 amended October 23, 1998, effective October 24, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 5459, apply to applicants, self-insurers, runoff self-insurers, group self-insurance funds and runoff funds, 28 Pa.B. 5459. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (201167) to (201168).
§ 125.149. Specific excess insurance and aggregate excess insurance.
(a) A fund shall obtain specific excess insurance with a retention amount and liability limit acceptable to the Bureau. The Bureau may waive this requirement upon written request if the fund demonstrates that it has sufficient financial strength and liquidity to assure that all obligations under the act and the Occupational Disease Act will be promptly met without the protection of an excess insurance policy.
(b) Aggregate excess insurance may be obtained by a fund. The Bureau will not recognize a contract or policy of aggregate excess insurance in considering the ability of a fund to fulfill its financial obligations unless the contract or policy complies with subsection (c).
(c) The contract or policy of aggregate excess insurance or specific excess insurance, or both, shall comply with the following:
(1) It shall be issued by an excess insurer which possesses an A. M. Best Rating of B+ or better or a Standard and Poor’s rating of claims paying ability of A or better.
(2) It shall state that it is not cancelable or nonrenewable unless written notice by registered or certified mail is given to the other party to the policy and to the Bureau at least 45 days before termination by the party desiring to cancel or not renew the policy.
(3) It shall state that if the fund is unable to make benefit payments under the act and the Occupational Disease Act due to insolvency or bankruptcy, the excess carrier shall make the payments to other parties involved in the paying of the fund’s obligations, as directed by the Bureau, subject to the policy’s retentions and limits.
(4) It shall state that the following apply toward reaching the retention amount in the excess contract:
(i) Payments made by the fund.
(ii) Payments made on behalf of the fund under a surety bond or other forms of security as required under this subchapter.
(iii) Payments made by the Self-Insurance Guaranty Fund.
(5) It shall state that it applies to any losses of a fund under the act and the Occupational Disease Act; it may not exclude coverage for any categories of injuries or diseases compensable under the act or the Occupational Disease Act.
(d) A certificate of the excess insurance obtained by the fund shall be filed with the Bureau together with a certification that the policy fully complies with subsection (c).
§ 125.150. Runoff fund.
(a) A runoff fund shall pay any obligations, prepare reports and administer transactions associated with the period when it was an approved fund. A runoff fund shall continue to comply with appropriate provisions of this subchapter as determined by the Bureau.
(b) A runoff fund shall file an annual report with the Bureau by a date prescribed by the Bureau on a prescribed form. This report shall be filed until all cases incurred by the runoff fund when it was a permittee are closed. The report shall include the information outlined in section 815(b) of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.15(b)).
Source The provisions of this § 125.150 amended October 23, 1998, effective October 24, 1998, apply to applicants, self-insurers, runoff self-insurers, group self-insurance funds and runoff funds, 28 Pa.B. 5459. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (201169).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 125.146 (relating to payment of dividends).
§ 125.151. Claims service companies.
(a) A claims service company desiring to engage in the business of handling and adjusting claims for a fund shall register with the Bureau as provided under section 441(c) of the act (77 P. S. § 997(c)), and regulations thereunder, on a prescribed form before entering into any contract to provide these services. The service company shall answer the questions on the registration form and shall swear to the information provided on the form.
(b) A claims service company shall have adequate facilities and employ competent staff to provide claims services in a manner which fulfills a fund’s obligations under the act, the Occupational Disease Act and this part. A claims service company which reportedly or unreasonably fails to provide claims adjusting or services promptly with the results that compensation is not paid as required under the act or the Occupational Disease Act may have the privilege of conducting the business revoked or suspended under section 441(c) of the act.
(c) The claims service company shall employ at least one person on a full-time basis who has the knowledge and experience necessary to service claims under the act and the Occupational Disease Act. A resume covering that person’s background shall be attached to the registration form of the claims service company.
§ 125.152. Board of trustees.
(a) The board of trustees of a fund shall establish the fund’s policies, ensure its fiscal stability and engage and delegate functions to its administrator, fiscal agent and service companies on behalf of the plan committee.
(b) Trustees shall be appointed by a fund’s plan committee in accordance with the trust agreement and the bylaws.
(c) At least 2/3 of a fund’s trustees shall be members of its plan committee. A member may not be represented by more than one trustee on the board of trustees. A fund’s administrator, service companies or an officer, owner, employe of or another person or corporation affiliated with the administrator or service companies may not serve as a voting trustee, unless the administrator or service company is an organization consisting of political subdivisions, the income of which is not subject to Federal income taxation. An administrator or service company may serve as a nonvoting trustee.
(d) Each trustee shall act as a fiduciary for the benefit of employees of members and shall carry out his powers and responsibilities under the trust agreement independent of any powers and responsibilities he may possess or exercise as an employee, officer or director of a member.
(e) If an association of employers assist in the establishment of more than one fund, the plan committees of the several funds may decide to participate in a single board of trustees to oversee the operations of the several funds. The following restrictions and requirements apply to that single board of trustees:
(1) Each of the several funds shall be equally represented on the board of trustees.
(2) The pledge of joint and several liability of a member of a fund applies only to the liabilities and obligations of that member’s fund; it does not apply to the other funds participating in the single board of trustees.
(3) Only the trustee-representatives of a specific fund shall vote on matters relating to the amendment of that fund’s trust agreement or bylaws.
(4) Only the trustee-representatives of a specific fund shall set policies and make determinations governing the admission of members and the requirements for membership in that fund.
(5) At least 2/3 of the single board of trustees shall be members of the plan committees of the several funds. Other restrictions on the makeup of the board outlined under subsection (c) also apply to the single board of trustees.
Source The provisions of this § 125.152 amended October 23, 1998, effective October 24, 1998, apply to applicants, self-insurers, runoff self-insurers, group self-insurance funds and runoff funds, 28 Pa.B. 5459. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (201170).
§ 125.153. Additional powers of Bureau.
In addition to the powers enumerated elsewhere in this subchapter and the act, the Bureau will have the authority, after notice and opportunity for hearing, to suspend a fund’s operation, to issue cease and desist orders and to order corrective actions if a fund, its administrator or service companies are in violation of this subchapter or the act.
§ 125.154. Hearings.
(a) The Director of the Bureau will assign appeals to decisions or orders issued under this subchapter and Article VIII of the act (77 P.S § § 1036.1— 1036.18) to a hearing officer who will schedule a de novo hearing on the appeal from the initial decision or order. The applicant or the fund will receive reasonable notice of the hearing date, time and place.
(b) The hearing will be conducted in a manner to provide the applicant or the fund and the Bureau the opportunity to be heard. The hearing officer will not be bound by strict rules of evidence. Relevant evidence of reasonably probative value may be received into evidence. Reasonable examination and cross-examination of witnesses will be permitted.
(c) Testimony will be recorded and a full record kept of the proceeding. The Bureau and the applicant or the fund will be provided the opportunity to submit briefs addressing issues raised.
(d) Following the close of the record, the hearing officer will promptly issue a written decision and order. The decision and order will include relevant findings and conclusions, and state the rationale of the decision. The decision will be served upon the applicant or the fund, the Bureau and counsel of record.
(e) An applicant, fund or the Bureau, aggrieved by a decision rendered under subsection (d), may appeal the decision to Commonwealth Court.
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 125.142 (relating to maintenance of fund permit).
§ 125.155. Homogeneity.
(a) The definition of ‘‘homogeneous employer’’ under section 801 of the act (77 P. S. § 1036.1) and under § 125.132 (relating to definitions) is deemed satisfied as to employers who have been assigned to the same classification series if the members derive a majority of their contributions from codes within the same classification group listed in a manual of risk classes approved by the Commissioner of the Insurance Department under Article VII of the act (77 P. S. § § 1035.1—1035.22).
(b) The definition of ‘‘homogeneous employer’’ under section 801 of the act and under § 125.132 is deemed satisfied as to employers engaged in the same or similar types of business if the members have been assigned to the same two-digit major group of the four-digit Standard Industrial Classification system published by the Federal Office of Management and Budget or if the members have been assigned to three-digit industry groups outside of the primary two-digit major group which the Bureau has determined share substantial common aspects of production or services with the industries within the primary two-digit major group.
(c) Prospective members affiliated through common ownership or control shall be considered one employer for the purpose of calculating the number of homogeneous employers participating in a fund.
(d) Political subdivisions are homogeneous employers. Political subdivisions may not participate in funds which include employers who are not political subdivisions.
Source The provisions of this § 125.155 amended July 13, 2001, effective July 14, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 3841. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (250156).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 125.133 (relating to application).
§ 125.156. Computation of time.
Unless otherwise provided, reference to ‘‘days’’ in this subchapter shall mean calendar days. For purposes of determining timeliness of filing and receipt of documents transmitted by mail, 3 days shall be presumed added to the prescribed period. If the last day for filing a document is a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or a day on which the Bureau’s offices are closed, the time for filing shall be extended to the next business day. Transmittal by mail shall mean by first-class mail.
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