Companies can offer this protection through a private insurance carrier or they can become self-insurers.
Premium rates vary, depending on the risks associated with special occupations.
As in most states, the premium rates apply to an employee's total annual salary. The maximum weekly benefit for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, permanent total disability and death is currently computed as 105 percent of the average weekly wage, determined annually on July 1st. Missouri's worker's compensation rates compare favorably with those in other states. Though benefits for claimants in other states usually increase automatically from year to year, in Missouri benefits cannot be increased without the review and approval of the state legislature.