Who is Covered?

The Workers’ Compensation Program is, by law, a program for paid employees.  It does not cover volunteers, students, subcontracted employees, or campus visitors.

Employees of Montana State University, Montana Agricultural Experiment Stations, Extension Service, and Fire Service Training School are covered by Workers' Compensation insurance coverage through Montana State Fund. Benefits prescribed by state law for qualifying job-related injuries or occupational diseases include related expenses for medical treatment, wage compensation, Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work (SAW/RTW) assistance, rehabilitation costs, and disability compensation. This coverage is provided at no cost to employees.

For questions, please call 406-994-6889.

What Activities are Covered?

Workers’ compensation is intended to cover an injury/illness that arises accidently1 and within the course and scope of paid work for the university.  Activities and injuries/illnesses incurred during non-work-related activities are not covered by workers’ compensation.

How Are Claims Managed

MSU Safety & Risk Management (SRM) is responsible for administering the university’s Workers’ Compensation program by assisting employees and coordinating with Montana State Fund.

The SRM campus claim coordinator assists employees and supervisors in accessing, completing, and submitting a workers’ compensation claim. The claim coordinator is available to coordinate the claim process at any point throughout the process.

The claim management company has claims adjusters who determine claim status, treatment options, and all other facets of the claim.  After a claim is submitted and accepted, MSU employees may work directly with the claim adjuster throughout their claim process. Typically injured employees will work more closely with their claim adjuster, and supervisors will work more closely with the MSU claim coordinator, but employees are welcome to reach out to the MSU coordinator at any point along the way by calling (406) 994-6889. 

Additional Resources

Workers' Compensation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

MSU Workers' Compensation Policy

OCHE Workers' Compensation Information

Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Workers' Compensation Info (see benefits brochure, Workers' Comp FAQs, etc.

1. There may be some instances such as in the case of a workplace assault, where the workplace injury would not need to be the result of an accidental action to be deemed workers' compensation-eligible.