Opinion ID: 2554922
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Fringe Benefit Calculation

Text: [¶ 11] Hackett also contends that the hearing officer erred by using Western Express's actual cost to calculate the value of his health and dental insurance at $4.65 per week. Chapter 1, § 5(1) of the Maine Workers' Compensation Board's Rules requires that for those companies that self-fund health and dental coverage, the value of those fringe benefits be calculated as the cost to the employee for maintaining such coverage pursuant to the federal C.O.B.R.A. provisions less the employee's pre-injury contributions. Me. W.C.B. Rule, ch. 1, § 5(1). Western Express, which self-funds the coverage, concedes the error, and acknowledges that the correct fringe benefit figure is $39.19 per week. On remand, the hearing officer should recalculate the value of Hackett's fringe benefits based on Rule, ch. 1, § 5(1). The entry is: The portion of the Workers' Compensation Board hearing officer's decision calculating the value of fringe benefits is vacated, and the case is remanded for a recalculation of fringe benefits consistent with this opinion. Decision affirmed in all other respects.