In an effort to curb an impending crisis, the University Extended Education department at Cal State Fullerton today announced that it has started accepting registrations for the Fall 2004 semester for the State University system's first Claims Examiner program for the business insurance industry.

"The decision to offer the Certificate in Claims Examiner program came as a direct result of feedback provided by insurance industry leaders," said Debra Day, Cal State Fullerton Program Developer. "The insurance industry has a serious need for qualified claims examiners and we are taking the necessary steps to help this industry fill that need by developing a comprehensive education program in this field."

Because so much attention has been placed on workers' compensation and healthcare reform, most people are unaware that the industry itself is having a bit of a crisis. There is a major shortage of qualified claims examiners in the field today.

"California labor statistics show that there will be a need for nearly 7,300 qualified claims examiners by 2005," said Kevin Hamm, CEO of IHI Insurance Services. "And, with the field growing by 15 to 20 percent over the next ten years, it is critical that we train more people to work as claims examiners in the state of California. More qualified workers will translate into effective claims management, which means lower costs and premiums for California businesses."

That's why industry leaders such as IHI Insurance Services and Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. have collaborated with Cal State Fullerton University Extended Education to develop the new Certificate in Claims Examiner program.

"The headlines confirm the importance of workers' compensation claims issues in California," said David A. North, CEO of Sedgwick CMS. "Significant opportunities exist for trained claims examiners and claims office supervisors."

The upside for those individuals looking to enter the claims examiner job market is rather significant. Not only is there a definite need for more qualified claims examiners, but the average salary for the 25,000 already employed in California is over $50,000.

Classes for Cal State Fullerton's Claims Examiner program will start in September of 2004 and Fullerton officials are expecting a big turnout, including some of IHI's and Sedgwick's interns.

Cal State Fullerton University Extended Education offers more than 50 professional certificate programs as well as individual classes, workshops and seminars taught by industry experts and University faculty. Students benefit by learning up-to-date information from experts who actually work in the field. Classes are offered in Fullerton, Garden Grove, Irvine and online. In addition, custom programs can be made available on-site for companies and organizations.

Founded in 1994, IHI Insurance Services (www.intercareins.com) is one of the fastest growing business insurance firms in California. Headquartered in Roseville, Calif., IHI employs over 425 people statewide and generates over $49 million in annual revenue. With offices in nine California cities, including Pasadena, Orange and Irvine, IHI is the parent holding company for Intercare Insurance Services, InterMed Cost Containment Services and VIIA Insurance Services.

Intercare Insurance Services is a third party service provider for workers' compensation insurance -- services include claims management and alternative risk transfer programs. InterMed is IHI's cost containment unit, providing bill review services and managed care and medical equipment to carriers, self-insureds and third party administrators. VIIA Insurance Services is a full service retail brokerage.

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. (www.sedgwickcms.com.) is a national provider of claims and productivity management solutions. Sedgwick CMS offers claims administration, managed care, program management and related services to major employers through the expertise of 3,100 colleagues in more than eighty offices in the U.S. and Canada, including growing operations in seven cities in California.

Visit www.csufextension.org or call 714-278-4280 to find out more about Cal State Fullerton's model program.