Insurance

Washington University is self-insured for these benefits under the provisions of the Missouri Workers’ Compensation Law. Payment of benefits to employees and payment to medical care providers is through a third-party administrator, Cannon Cochran Management Services, Inc.

It is important to be aware of the fact that, under the Law, benefits under Workers’ Compensation are initiated by the employee giving prompt notice to the employer of an injury or occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment. Notice must be given to an employee’s supervisor, department administrator, or department head.

In addition to verbal notice, Washington University policy requires that a Washington University Report of Injury or Illness form be filled out by the employee or supervisor as soon as possible. This form can be downloaded and FAXED to 935-9795.

Under the Missouri Workers’ Compensation Law, the employer has a right to designate the doctor, hospital, or medical care facility to provide treatment to the employee. At Washington University, authorized medical care providers under Workers’ Compensation differ from those available to the employee under his or her health insurance benefit program.

The two principle facilities authorized to provide initial treatment to Washington University employees under Workers’ Compensation are the Charles F. Knight Emergency and Trauma Center (Barnes Jewish Hospital) for acute or traumatic injuries requiring immediate emergency medical treatment, and for other injuries, BarnesCare Corporate Health Services, 5000 Manchester, located one-quarter mile west of the Manchester/South Kingshighway intersection.

The supervisor or department administrator should phone the Charles F. Knight Emergency and Trauma Center at 362-9123 to alert registration and triage that an employee will arrive for medical treatment. Assistance in medical emergencies can also be obtained by phoning the Washington University Police Department at 935-5555, or Protective Services at the School of Medicine at 362-4357.

For employee medical treatment at BarnesCare, the supervisor or department administrator should phone the Insurance Department at 935-5627, or 935-5547, and a medical authorization form will be FAXED to BarnesCare prior to the employee arriving for initial treatment. The BarnesCare facility is open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Employees must arrive at the facility by 4:00 p.m. to receive treatment.

Danforth Campus or Tyson research Center employees who have an occupational exposure to blood or potentially infected body fluids or tissues, or who suffer a research animal-related injury or disease must seek treatment at BarnesCare, or the Charles F. Knight Emergency and Trauma Center. School of Medicine employees must seek treatment at the Employee Health Service located in Suite 3420 of the East Building.

A final note - Treatment that an employee would elect to receive through a personal physician, or through his or her health insurance benefit program would NOT be considered authorized under Workers’ Compensation, and would be at the employee’s expense unless explicit prior authorization is given to the employee by the Insurance Department.

Please see Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common questions regarding Workers’ Compensation. If you have any additional questions, please call the Insurance Department at 935-5627, or 935-5547. We would be happy to meet with the supervisors, administrators or employees to speak about procedures and benefits under Workers’ Compensation.

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