icare has acknowledged the discovery of historical errors in the payment calculations for its Dust Diseases Care (DDC) scheme, affecting approximately 300 participants.
The errors resulted in underpayments to around 6% of the 5,000 individuals enrolled in the scheme.
The organisation has apologised to those affected and is working on a solution.
In a statement, icare said: “We regret these calculation errors and are deeply sorry for any distress or concern that people may experience in relation to this.”
Efforts to identify and resolve the issue are already in progress, and icare intends to contact each affected participant with details on the funds owed and a timeline for when payments will be made.
The organisation expects to complete all outstanding payments by the end of December 2024.
At the same time, icare is implementing new IT systems, including a case management platform designed to improve accuracy and avoid similar errors in the future.
Participants with questions regarding the payment process can reach icare via phone or email.
Separately, icare has launched a digital broker hub designed to simplify access to essential information for brokers managing workers’ compensation.
The hub aims to assist brokers in helping employers maintain safe workplaces and support injured workers’ return-to-work processes.
This online platform offers tools for brokers to help employers manage workers’ compensation costs, including potential premium discounts of up to 5% for full upfront payments and other incentives related to workplace safety.
Tony Wessling, icare’s group executive for workers’ compensation, explained that the new broker hub is designed to strengthen support for both brokers and employers across New South Wales.
“The work we do is driven by the need to prevent workplace injuries, and making sure employers have the important cover needed to protect their workers,” he said.
The broker hub is part of a broader initiative by icare to enhance the workers’ compensation system, which includes additional transparency in claims management and increased options for claims service providers (CSPs).
Additionally, icare’s ongoing improvements are expected to benefit small businesses by increasing transparency and improving overall claims management processes.
