Cost Containment Certification requires one full year of documentation demonstrating the minimum requirements outlined in Steps 1-6 are in place and effective at your organization.

Claims management policies and procedures are documented for your organization that are implemented after a work-related injury has occurred. 

Your procedures for claims management should be clear, easy to follow and should include:

• Accident Investigation Procedures
• A complete Accident Investigation Form for all employee injuries regardless of apparent severity
• A return to work program
  

Cost Containment Certification application requirements

When applying for certification, you’ll need to provide the following documentation for Step 6: 

1. A copy of your Claims Management Procedures documentation that’s signed and dated by the person responsible for managing your claims. 
2. Blank copies of your accident investigation documents. 
3. Proof of your return-to-work program. 
   

If an injury has occurred, include the following documentation to the CCC Board with your application: 

• Accident investigation documentation, including evidence that you have identified contributing factors and that you’ve implemented corrective actions to eliminate or reduce the exposures. 
• Documentation that shows how long the employee was on modified duty and/or a copy of the Formal Modified Duty Job Offer Letter (if applicable). 
  

Additional documentation that is not required but can strengthen your application includes:

• Copies of the Designated Provider List Notification Letter for an Injured Worker.
• Claims management policies and procedures are documented for your organization. 
• The employer investigates all accidents in order to identify hazards and implements corrective actions. Enclose completed accident investigation forms. 
• Employers, when practicable, institute a modified duty program (enclose documentation).

Additional claims management guidance

Preparing for a Claim 

When preparing for a claim, you should have critical forms ready and available if an injury occurs. These forms include: 

• Claims Management Procedures document 
• The Designated Provider List Notification Letter for an injured worker 
• First Report of Injury form
• Management Accident Investigation Report 
• Sample Investigation Questions
• Employee Accident Report
• Witness Statements
  

Return-to-Work Program 

Injured workers often come back to work and contribute to your organization in a different capacity while their injuries heal. 

So, before an injury ever occurs, you should create a modified duty task list for your employees. This is a list of less physically demanding, but helpful, tasks that an injured employee can perform. 

For more information about developing your return-to-work program and modified duty, call Pinnacol and ask to speak with one of our return-to-work consultants. 

Reporting a Claim 

The first 24 hours following an injury are critical to your injured worker and to you. Here are the first three steps to take when an employee is injured: 

1. Get medical treatment for your employee and give your employee a copy of your Designated Provider List Notification Letter for injured workers. 
2. Investigate the accident using the Management Accident Investigation Report.
3. Report the injury to Pinnacol. You can report an injury within 24 hours in any of the following ways:

• ‍Online through Pinnacol’s Policyholder Portal‍
• By phone at 303.361.4000 or 800.873.7242 
• By fax at 303.361.5000 or 888.329.2251