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County of Los Angeles (County) Volunteer Workers:
Indemnification & Insurance Program Description
A. Purpose
This handout was developed to provide you, the volunteer, with a brief description of County insurance programs which may be available to you.
B. Eligibility
To qualify for coverage, you must be formally enrolled as a volunteer in a program or activity sponsored by the County and adhere to established volunteer work assignment guidelines. The County Department to which you are assigned will advise you of your work duties and will maintain an enrollment record to document your participation as a volunteer.
C. Volunteer Medical Expense Reimbursement Insurance Policy
(Volunteer Insurance Policy)
Purpose:
The Volunteer Insurance Policy was designed to reimburse you for medical expenses you incur due to injury you suffer as a result of performing volunteer services, and which are not covered by your own medical insurance.Volunteers are not eligible to receive County workers’ compensation benefits. 1
1. Summary of Benefits:
Volunteers receive medical expense reimbursement and accidental death and dismemberment coverage through a commercial insurance policy purchased by the County. This policy, which is presently written by CIGNA, provides benefits of:
(a) up to $10,000 for accidental medical expenses 2
(b) up to $500 for accidental dental expenses, and
(c) up to $5,000 for accidental death and dismemberment.
2. Where to Obtain Medical Treatment:
You may obtain medical treatment from your private physician or other facility of your choice. However, you, the volunteer, are responsible for the initial payment of all medical bills – you must file a claim under the Volunteer Insurance Policy to receive reimbursement from the insurance company for any costs not paid under your own medical insurance.
Volunteers assigned to certain County facilities (such as hospitals) may be able to receive initial treatment at no cost from the County facility in which they work. Your supervisor or volunteer coordinator will advise you of your department’s policy regarding provision of initial treatment to volunteers. However, if further medical treatment is deemed necessary, you will be referred to your own private physician and you must file a claim under the Volunteer Insurance Policy to receive reimbursement for your physician’s charges.
3. How to Report an Injury, File a Claim and Obtain Reimbursement:
If you are injured and you are eligible for benefits as described, you must notify your supervisor as soon as possible and assist with the completion of a claim form. In general, instructions for completion of the form require that:
(a) The volunteer’s department supervisor (representative) sign the claim form.
(b) The volunteer provide certain information including complete name and address, SSN, and a description of the injury. The volunteer is also responsible for ensuring that their treating physician or the treating facility completes the physician’s or facility’s section.
(c) The volunteer attach copies of medical bills to the claim form. If medical billings are not readily available, they should be sent as soon as possible to the insurance company.
The claim form and medical bills should be mailed without delay to CIGNA at the address indicated in the upper right hand corner of the form. Questions concerning the claim form may be directed to CIGNA at 1-800-238-2125.
INSERT PIC
D. Third-Party Liability – County Defense and Indemnification of Volunteers and
Accident Reporting Procedures
1. Indemnification:
You are defended and indemnified by the County for professional, auto and general liability (also known as “third party liability), which may arise from your activities as a volunteer within the course of your volunteer assignment, unless your actions are fraudulent, malicious, or criminal. Volunteers are not indemnified for punitive damages. Therefore, it is very important that you have a clear understanding of your work assignment and authority.
2. Volunteers
3. Who Provide Professional Services:
In the event of any occurrence involving possible injury or death to a patient or client, you will be required to assist your supervisor in the completion of your department’s incident report form. This form may be obtained from your supervisor. You must report any such incident within 24 hours to your supervisor, even if it did not result in any immediate injury or damage to the patient/client. Fatalities or serious injuries must be reported immediately. The completed incident report will be forwarded by your supervisor to the County’s claim administrators.
4. Volunteers Who Drive in the
5. Course of Their Assignment:
Volunteers who operate vehicles in the course and scope of their assignments are defended and indemnified by the County for bodily injury or property damage, suffered by other parties, which may be caused by the volunteer. Such volunteers must possess a valid California driver’s license and comply with all California State laws, including laws relating to financial responsibility (automobile liability insurance) and seat belt use.
You must report any auto accident within 24 hours to your supervisor, even if it did not result in any injury or damage to you or to others. Fatalities or serious injuries must be reported immediately. If the accident caused injury or damage to others, you will be required to assist your supervisor in completing the attached “County of Los Angeles Report of Vehicle Collision or Incident.” The completed report will be forwarded by your supervisor to the County’s claims administrators. Please note that damage to Volunteer-owned vehicles or loss of personal items is not covered by the County.
6. All County Volunteers
7. (All Incidents not Involving Professional Liability or Auto Liability):
Volunteers who witness other types of accidents (such as slips and falls) or who are themselves injured while performing their duties must report any such incident to their supervisors, and assist in completion of the attached “County of Los Angeles Non-Employee Injury Report.” Similar to the requirements noted above, fatalities or serious injuries must be reported immediately. Your supervisor will send the completed report to the County’s claims administrators.
Please note: Should there be any conflict or inconsistency between the information provided in this handout concerning County defense and indemnification of volunteers and County Code provisions or applicable state law, the County Code and state law shall prevail.
Any further questions you may have regarding your volunteer service, this handout or the status of any filed claim may be directed to your supervisor or your department Volunteer Coordinator. The Volunteer Coordinator’s name and telephone number may be obtained from your supervisor.
Prepared By:
County of Los Angeles
Chief Executive Office
Risk Management Branch
3333 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 820
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Effective Date: March 7, 2005
- Your own medical insurance would include: personal insurance plans such as Blue Cross or Blue Shield; coverage under any group, blanket, or franchise insurance or employee benefit plan; or, coverage under any plan arranged through any employee, trustee, union, or employee benefit association.
- An emergency evacuation benefit may also be available for transportation costs related to a physician ordered emergency evacuation. This benefit applies if the volunteer is severely injured while traveling 100 miles or more away from their home at the time of the accident.
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