The Biggest (and Most Expensive) Mistake in Claims Management
When it comes to occupational claims, one of the costliest mistakes employers make is taking a hands-off approach—assuming the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) will handle everything. Yes, the WCB plays a vital role, but they process thousands of claims every year and rely strictly on the data they receive.
If you’re not actively managing your side of the claim, you’re opening the door to unnecessary costs and confusion.
Here’s what can happen when you’re not involved:
1. Duplicate WCB Wage Payments
It’s more common than you think. A worker returns to the job, but no one tells WCB. So, you’re paying the employee for their regular hours—while WCB continues to pay them behind the scenes. Sometimes these get flagged and corrected, but not always. If no one notices, those duplicate payments can slide through and quietly drain your account.
2. Unnecessary Time Off
Let’s say WCB recommends physio three times a week for six weeks. But the worker skips appointments for the first month—and no one’s checking in. Now, what could’ve been a six-week claim stretches into 10 weeks or more. It’s not always avoidable, but with proper follow-up and communication, you can often keep things on track and prevent delays in recovery.
3. Surprise WCB Charges
Sometimes errors happen—charges hit your account that don’t belong to your business. Recently, we came across an employer with costs tied to a claim that wasn’t theirs. No one caught it for months. These things happen, but if no one’s reviewing reports or flagging inconsistencies, those mistakes stay—and you pay for them.
What Employers in Alberta Should Be Doing (Every Month)
If you’re an Alberta-based employer, here are three essential tools you should be using regularly to stay in control of your claims:
1. Monthly WCB Claim Cost Summary
This shows you what was paid out on each claim for the month. Why it matters: in Alberta, there’s a no-cost threshold (currently $1,900). As long as no wage loss is paid out, claims under this amount don’t impact your rate. But you won’t know if you’re creeping past that limit unless you check. Here is how claims affect your premiums –> click here.
Navigate to your portal and click “My Claims and Costs”
2. Claims Correspondence (via WCB Portal)
Always report claims through the WCB portal—not by phone or fax. When you do, all correspondence (decisions, updates, medical reports) will also come through the portal—keeping you in the loop in real-time. No waiting on snail mail, no risk of missing critical info. Be sure to request this report in your portal dashboard. It is important to know your boundaries when asking for and reviewing medical information (now we venture into human rights) –> click here to learn more.
Under “Request Reports” you can see several reports your business has access to – some reports are available at a frequency, some are one time
3. Power BI Dashboard (Employer Fit For Work Dashboard)
One of the most underused tools, especially by small businesses. This free dashboard gives you real-time insight into where each claim stands—including when a worker is medically cleared to return. You’ll find it in the “Reports” tab under MyWCB. The interface might be a bit clunky, but it’s an incredibly powerful tool to manage timelines and reduce costs. You can always request a physician to assess fitness for work using this form –> click here.
Bottom Line:
Leaving claim management to WCB alone can cost you—literally. Stay informed, check your reports, and take an active role in every claim. A little effort each month can mean big savings over time. Looking to better manage claims in house, we partnered with Safeopedia to offer the Ulimate Guide for Claims Management in Canada or connect with us to support your claim management journey.
