The North Dakota Workers Compensation Bureau operates as a monopolistic workers’ compensation company. Virtually all employers in the state purchase workers' compensation coverage for their employees through the Bureau, which services well over 21,000 employers across the state. The Bureau covers a workforce of 288,000 workers and insures that injured workers receive appropriate, high quality medical care in a cost-effective manner.

The partnership arrangement, effective July 1, 1999, is a result of Advantage’s response to the Bureau’s Request for Proposal (RFP). "Advantage offered us a program truly tailored to our specific business needs, and that is what they have delivered," said Reagan Pufall, North Dakota Workers Compensation Bureau Chief Operating Officer. "They invested substantial time in learning how we operate, and worked with us to create a program that meshes seamlessly with our staff processes."

"They also give us what we have always sought from our third party vendors: a steady stream of innovative ideas for continual improvement. Advantage consistently focuses on helping us achieve our ambitious goals, resulting in an atmosphere of openness and mutual trust that produces great results."

Under the agreement, Advantage employs six registered nurses and five support staff, who perform the bill review services for the Bureau. The employees reside in Bureau offices in North Dakota and work collaboratively with Deb Paaverud, program specialist for medical services for the Bureau. Mert Aldredge, vice president of Advantage WorkComp Services oversees the program.

"Our main focus is to implement new procedures and economize their resources with a long term goal to incorporate our employees into the Bureau," said Mert Aldredge.

Advantage offers services such as bill review, special investigations, vocational rehabilitation, utilization review, case management and safety engineering/risk control to companies. Advantage was formed in 1998 as the unbundled service arm of WCF, which also owns a multi-state third party administrator, Pinnacle Risk Management Services.

"At WCF, we know the services we provide very well. This has allowed us to expand into other markets and share our knowledge and experience," said Bob Short, president of Advantage WorkComp Services.

Advantage WorkComp Services and Pinnacle offer high quality consultation services and innovative products through partnerships with insurance companies and self-insureds on a flexible geographic basis. For additional information call (801) 288-8204 or (801) 288-8168.