Counties Explore County Ownership of Workers’ Compensation

MACo contracts with Aon consulting to develop a feasibility study of a county workers’ compensation insurance pool. 

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Aon will work with MACo to determine whether a county workers’ compensation insurance pool is feasible.

The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) has contracted with Aon to determine the feasibility of a county workers’ compensation insurance pool. MACo was asked by its members to help determine whether a county insurance pool of this type would be viable.

County governments that purchase insurance and those that self-insure are interested in additional options in the Maryland insurance market that may respond more directly to county government needs. County employees range from high-risk positions such as police, fire, and public works position, to office and clerical jobs, making county governments unique among employers seeking workers’ compensation coverage.

Aon is beginning work this winter, and will be seeking information from county governments regarding their current workers’ compensation costs and their employees. A survey will be conducted via MACo with Robin Eilenberg, Research Director serving as the liaison. Patrick Hancock, Senior Account Executive at Aon Risk Solutions, Public Sector is the point of contact at Aon. Patrick was formerly the risk manager of Baltimore County Public Schools. He also served two terms as president of the Maryland chapter of the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA).

A meeting of county administrators, risk managers, and human resources representatives held last spring at MACo provided direction for this project, which was presented to the Board for approval at its quarterly meeting. Pamela Schroeder, Chief, Division of Risk Management for Montgomery County Government, joined the initial meeting at MACo and shared her expertise on creation of insurance pools with smaller counties seeking options in workers’ compensation coverage. MACo thanks Schroeder for her help and guidance over the initial stages of this process, including her assistance in the review of feasibility study applicants and her participation in MACo’s interview panel.

For more information about this project, contact Robin Eilenberg at MACo.