Which of the following is NOT a method employers have to obtain workers' compensation coverage?

Employers typically have several methods available to secure workers' compensation coverage, but creating a plan where employees pay the premium is not one of them. In a proper workers' compensation system, it is the employer's responsibility to provide coverage for their employees; this ensures that the costs associated with workplace injuries are managed and mitigated by the employer, protecting both the employees and the business.

When workers' compensation is structured correctly, it safeguards employee rights and ensures they receive the necessary benefits without needing to bear the financial burden of insurance premiums directly. The primary methods for obtaining coverage—purchasing from a private insurer, self-insuring, or utilizing a state-run residual market—are all designed to place the responsibility on employers to protect their workforce.

This framework promotes workplace safety and financial stability, ensuring that employees are compensated for injuries sustained on the job without placing undue financial strain on them personally. Thus, the reason D is not a valid method for obtaining workers' compensation coverage is that it contradicts the fundamental principle of how workers' compensation is intended to operate.