Auburn University
On The Job Injury (OJI) Benefit Program
Fact Sheet
For guidance on specific situations or program interpretation, call CCMSI at 866-931-0502 and identify yourself as an Auburn University Employee.
Why The Program Was Created
- AU is a state supported higher education institution which is exempt from the Workers' Compensation law.
- The OJI program was created in 1991 as a benefit to Auburn University Employees.
- This is a benefit program, not Insurance - the goal is to protect the injured employee from financial hardship caused by an on the job injury.
Administration of the On The Job Injury Program
- Auburn University has contracted with CCMSI to provide claim administration of the program.
- Risk Management & Safety provides oversight of the program.
- Auburn University's On the Job Injury Benefit Program follows the State Board of Adjustment Guidelines.
Eligible Employees
- All AU employees as defined by the Auburn University Faculty Handbook and the Personnel and Policy Procedures for Administrative Professional and University Staff
- This includes part time and full time employees.
- Injury must occur in the course of your duties for Auburn University.
Procedures for filing an On The Job Injury Claim
- Treatment should be sought from the Auburn University Medical Clinic.
- AUM employees should seek treatment at the AUM Nursing Care Center.
- Employees that are at a location remote from the main campus or AUM should seek primary care from a Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Physician.
- If an emergency, seek medical attention from the nearest Emergency Room.
- The medical provider will determine if a specialist is required.
- Referral should be to an approved Blue Cross Blue Shield physician.
- The Employee should:
1. notify his/her supervisor of the accident/incident as soon as possible;
2. report the accident/incident to CCMSI at 866-931-0502 within 72 hours of the incident.
- The injured employee must first file the claim on his/her own insurance or their spouse's insurance if they are covered by a spouse.
- All insurance, including Medicare if applicable, must be filed and paid or declined before Auburn's OJI program will pay.
- Medical expenses, including prescription drugs, not covered by medical insurance should be submitted to the claim manager for consideration of payment.
If the injured/ill employee is unable to report the incident to the claim manager, the supervisor is responsible for notifying CCMSI.
Claims Denied by Auburn University
An employee that disagrees with Auburn's decision to deny a claim may file a claim with the State Board of Adjustment
- Claim will be subject to Statute of Limitations set by the State Board of Adjustment.
- State Board of Adjustment Claim Forms are available from CCMSI.
Lost Wage Procedures
- Time lost from work due to an on the job injury may be charged to an employee's accrued sick and/or annual leave or may be paid through the OJI Program.
- OJI Program pays wages at a rate of 66 2/3% of employee's regular rate of pay at the time of the accident not to exceed the maximum weekly rate set annually by law.
- No OJI Lost Wage benefits for the first three (3) work days following the accident/incident (known as the "three day waiting period").
- Only one waiting period per accident.
- Employee may use sick or annual leave, or leave without pay for these three (3) days.
- Lost wage payment must be approved by the CCMSI claim manager.
- Employee MUST notify his/her supervisor that he/she wishes to apply for lost wage benefits.
- The injured employee MUST notify the person responsible for preparing payroll in their division/department that they wish to apply for annual leave, sick leave or lost wage benefits.
- The "Time Authorization" form should be completed by the person responsible for payroll in the injured employee's department, signed by supervisor and faxed to CCMSI (601) 899-0160 PRIOR to the payroll deadline.
- Employee must provide Risk Management and CCMSI with a physician's statement certifying the employee is unable to work because of the work related injury.
***NOTE-On The Job Injury Benefits are not tax exempt, therefore, normal taxes and deductions will be deducted from the paycheck.
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