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About
What our members say about us
Our Program
For over 30 years, PERMA has been providing municipal employers across New York State with the best possible workers’ compensation coverage for the most reasonable cost.
New York municipalities join PERMA because they are committed to safety and education. PERMA provides all-inclusive workers’ compensation coverage from a team of caring and attentive risk professionals, and PERMA members continue the work within their communities. Members form safety committees and appoint safety coordinators who receive eight hours of PERMA training in developing policies, procedures, and activities that create and maintain safe workplaces.
There are three keys to our success:
1
Comprehensive coverage appropriately priced.PERMA covers municipal employees under the general workers’ compensation statute, provides unlimited employers liability coverage, and volunteer fire and ambulance worker benefits.
2
As a non-profit organization, we specialize in local government.PERMA has no profit margin, no stockholders, and we do not have to pay any premium taxes. We are a non-profit association created and governed by local officials. Our board of directors is comprised of members and state association partners.
3
We focus on, and emphasize, excellent service and personal attention.It starts in the claims department, which promptly manages each claim, providing the best care to the injured employee while controlling costs. And it continues with comprehensive risk management services, assigned as critical needs are identified, ensuring a safe workplace, maintaining PESH and OSHA standards, and preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and accidents.
What you see throughout PERMA is personal attention. Taking care of the member and keeping the workplace safe and productive is what PERMA is all about.
PERMA was founded, and remains today, as a self-insured municipal pool.
Different from traditional insurance, municipal pools are organizations owned and governed collectively by their governmental entities. Municipal pools are formed all over the country to address a multitude of risks, including property loss, employee benefits, and, in PERMA’s case, workers’ compensation.
PERMA offers workers’ compensation, employers liability, volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers benefit law coverage, and scheduled and secondary medical coverage for volunteers.
You can learn more about the rules and regulations that govern PERMA by visiting the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board Self-Insurance Office.
Claims Handling
Awarded a “Superior” rating by Bickmore, the experienced and credentialed claims professionals that serve PERMA members provide steadfast care to injured workers, excellent communication with employers, and a holistic view of the workers’ compensation industry. The PERMA claims structure has been particularly singled out as helping to reach optimal outcomes and mitigate claims cost. Case analysts are assigned losses they are best equipped to handle, and nurse patient advocates work on lost time claims from the beginning.
Risk Management
PERMA is as dedicated to preventing injuries as we are to taking care of injured workers. We do so through a risk management program that takes a tailored approach when looking at members’ unique risks. We advise the best allocation of resources and provide solutions to reduce risk and injury while on the job. PERMA risk managers provide multidimensional claim data analysis, deliver consultative training, distribute safety information, and develop best practices, all to protect members by decreasing claim frequency and cost.
Events and Education
At PERMA, we know that workers’ compensation is about more than claims and safety. Through conferences, webinars, and annual on-site visits, PERMA member service representatives help inform and connect New York municipalities. Our members receive instruction on everything from the latest labor regulations to team collaboration and development, with the ultimate goal of imparting peace of mind in a complex and ever-changing environment.
Q.
What type of workers’ compensation provider is PERMA?
A.
We are a self-insurance pool, comprised of New York State municipalities
Q.
Does PERMA use a third-party administrator?
A.
Yes. PERMA has used NEAMI since 1995.
Q.
How many members does PERMA currently have?
A.
Over 550 cities, counties, towns, villages, school districts, fire districts and other special districts have chosen to become PERMA members
Q.
What determines each entity’s annual contribution to the pool?
A.
The annual contribution is determined by an entity’s loss history, the size and distribution of their annual payroll, and the loss cost rate as determined by the state on a yearly basis.
Q.
What is Joint and Several Liability?
A.
Joint and Several is a common practice of self-insured groups stipulating that all members of the group are liable for all losses. This can lead to annual assessments to make up for funding shortfalls and future assessments should a group be declared financially insolvent by the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). However, PERMA’s growing membership practically guarantees solvency. The WCB has confidence in PERMA and other municipal self-insured groups because their members have the taxing authority to honor long-term claim obligations.
Q.
If I want to leave my current workers’ comp coverage provider, is there a penalty?
A.
If you are leaving your current provider at the end of your policy term, you must submit to them a Letter to Reserve at least 30 days prior to the renewal date. This alerts your provider that you are considering leaving. If you are currently the member of a self-insured county pool, there may be a buyout you must pay in order to leave that pool. If you are trying to leave your current carrier provider before your policy term is expired, they may issue you a short-rate penalty.
Q.
Is there a cost to receive a PERMA quote?
A.
Getting a quote is free and you are under no obligation to bind with PERMA upon receiving your quote.
Our People
Currently, PERMA has members who are:
PERMA has no profit margin, no stockholders, and we do not have to pay any premium taxes. We are a non-profit association created and governed by local officials. Our board of directors is comprised of members and state association partners.
- Bridge authorities
- Cities
- Counties
- Development authorities
- Fire districts
- Libraries
- Park districts
- Parking districts
- Port districts
- Urban renewal agencies
- Villages
- Water boards and districts
- Water pollution control districts
- Sanitation districts
- Schools
- Towns
PERMA Is Governed by Public Officials – Elected from among the Membership
County Manager for Steuben County
3 East Pulteney Square
Bath, NY 14810
Ph 607-664-2245
Fax 607-664-2282
Treasurer for the County of Hamilton
County Courthouse, Box 206
Route 8
Lake Pleasant, NY 12108
Ph 518-548-7911
Fax 518-548-4519
Village Administrator for the Village of East Aurora
571 Main Street
East Aurora, NY 14052
Ph 716-652-6000
Fax 716-652-1290
Retired Treasurer for the City of Tonawanda
200 Niagara Street
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Ph 716-695-1800
Fax 716-695-8315
Administrator for the Village of Buchanan
236 Tate Avenue
Buchanan, NY 10511
Ph 914-737-1033
Fax 914-737-6587
NYSAC Executive Director
540 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12207
Ph 518-465-1473
Fax 518-465-0506
NYSSBA Executive Director
24 Century Hill Drive, Suite 200
Latham, NY 12110
Ph 518-783-0200
Fax 518-783-0211
Our Leadership Team Overseeing PERMA Operations:
Mary Beth Woods was appointed to PERMA with over 20 years extensive experience within the New York State Government having worked at the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and serving as the Board’s Executive Director for five years.
Ms. Woods’ institutional knowledge of New York State’s regulatory environment, understanding of workers’ compensation and executive leadership experience aligns with PERMA’s mission and is a distinct asset to the organization, as well as the membership.
Mary Beth is responsible for the daily operations of PERMA, overseeing all departments and the overall administration of the Association.
Ms. Braman oversees all activities which service current PERMA members, including ensuring favorable contacts are made and maintained and resolution of all member issues/problems. She is responsible for the presentation of all coverage renewal pricing indications to PERMA members and representation of a positive organizational image to PERMA members, brokers and the general public through a variety of communication mediums.
Ms. Braman also directs communications for PERMA.
Mr. Campney is responsible for the design and implementation of overall underwriting standards and profitability for all PERMA programs.
Mr. Campney directly oversees all marketing activities and develops and fosters relationships with brokers and business partners.
Mr. Gorgievski acts as chief fiscal officer and is responsible for all PERMA financial activities. He is a key advisor to the President and Executive Vice President in planning and policy matters including management of PERMA’s investment portfolio.
Mr. Gorgievski develops the budget and manages and develops cost-effective facilities.
Mr. Hayes performs claims loss tracking activities for PERMA members.
Mr. Hayes is also responsible for overseeing claims administration, as well as developing and achieving departmental goals and management plans within the Claims department.
Jackie Hennessy is responsible for the HR strategies for all PERMA employees including leading and managing talent acquisition, supporting employee engagement, ensuring compliance with employment state and federal law, as well as, managing the compensation and benefit programs.
Sam Luppino oversees the management, strategy and execution of our IT infrastructure at PERMA. This includes the monitoring of remote environments and implementation of technical projects alignment with organizational goals.
Christian Summers is responsible for the development of risk management services for PERMA members. He also oversees risk management support staff and contracted vendors, and works closely with the risk management team in analyzing data to develop education and training programs targeting areas of high risk.
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