WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

ACCRUED WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS BENEFITS

WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS

15.WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS

The changes in the workers' compensation liability, including current and long-term liability balances, for each of the periods presented were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	53,384	$	49,539
Accruals increase		1,748		1,961
Payments		(2,571)		(3,473)
Interest accretion		319		401
Ending balance	$	52,880	$	48,428

We limit our exposure to traumatic injury claims by purchasing a high deductible insurance policy that starts paying benefits after deductibles for a claim have been met.  The deductible level may vary by claim year.  Our workers' compensation liability above is presented on a gross basis and does not include our expected receivables on our insurance policy.  Our receivables for traumatic injury claims under this policy as of March 31, 2020 are $7.7 million and are included in Other long-term assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Certain of our mine operating entities are liable under state statutes and the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended, to pay pneumoconiosis, or black lung, benefits to eligible employees and former employees and their dependents.  Components of the net periodic benefit cost for each of the periods presented are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Service cost	$	878	$	645
Interest cost (1)		750		760
Net amortization (1)		(172)		(1,145)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,456	$	260

(1) Interest cost and net amortization is included in the Other income (expense) line item within our condensed consolidated statements of income.