7. Occupational Injury, Indemnity, and Medical Benefits Program (OIIMBP)

 

First let me say that as of this date, these programs are illegal outside Sovereign Indian Nations in California.  I will describe the difference in these programs only because if they continue to pursue acceptance by the CADOI and CADOIR they will eventually succeed by agreeing to meet the requirements.

 

They usually present themselves as PEO’s.  They provide the payroll services and Human Resource management services of PEO’s.

 

Most operate as Self Insured entities without the CA certification.  Because they believe they come under the US Congress and not CA laws, they attempt to operate outside the CA Insurance and Department of Industrial Relation rules and laws and claim Sovereign Nation status as the right to operate.  While this may be true, Agents and Brokers who present this as an alternative to CA Workers’ Compensation who are licensed in CA can have their license revoked and they can be fined and the company who purchases the program can also be fined and forced to go back to the market for Workers’ Compensation Insurance.

 

The CADOI and CADOIR are arguing that the injured worker does not receive benefits equal to the minimums required by CA Law.  One major stepping stone is the OIIMBP wants all disagreements to be settled in Tribal Court. 

 

While they do represent that their programs do meet or exceed the minimum requirements for Workers’ Compensation in CA, it is the decision of the CADOI to monitor all Insurance matters in CA and their decision is ruling. 

 

The Indian Programs can operate legally in their Casino’s and on Sovereign Indian Nation land.  If you work for the Sovereign Indian Nation, you will probably be covered by OIIMBP.

 

(Appendix C Page 33) compares the above options Side by Side