Oldwick, NJ -(BusinessWire)- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “aa-” of WestGUARD Insurance Company, AmGUARD Insurance Company, EastGUARD Insurance Company and NorGUARD Insurance Company, which operate under an intercompany pooling agreement. These companies are members of Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies (GUARD) and… [Read more]
Association, Rating & Research News
CWCI Study Examines Impact of California Workers’ Comp Formulary
Oakland, CA – New CWCI research shows that since California implemented its workers’ compensation formulary last year, an increasing share of drugs prescribed to injured workers are either “Exempt” from prospective utilization review (UR) or “Not Listed” in the formulary, while “Non-Exempt” drugs that require UR before they can be dispensed account for a declining… [Read more]
NSC Poll: 75% of Employers Say Their Workplace Impacted by Opioid Use
Itasca, IL – Seventy-five percent of U.S. employers have been directly affected by opioids but – startlingly – only 17% feel extremely well prepared to deal with the issue, according to a survey released by the National Safety Council in recognition of Poison Prevention Week. Thirty-eight percent have experienced absenteeism or impaired worker performance, and… [Read more]
NSC: 70% of Nonfatal Workplace Assault Injuries are to Women
Itasca, IL – National Safety Council recently announced its analysis indicates that women are disproportionately impacted by certain safety issues, most notably nonfatal workplace violence. Females account for 70% of all assault-related injuries involving days away from work. The number of women who incurred assault-related injuries at work in 2017 was 12,820 – a 60%… [Read more]
Ohio Pharmacy Board Report: Opioid Prescribing in Down by 325 Million Doses in 2018
Columbus, OH – The number of prescription opioids dispensed to Ohioans declined for the sixth consecutive year in 2018, according to a newly released report from the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS). From 2012 to 2018, the total number of opioids dispensed to Ohio patients decreased by 325… [Read more]
AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to ClearPath Mutual Insurance Company
Oldwick, NJ -(BusinessWire)- AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” to ClearPath Mutual Insurance Company (ClearPath) (Louisville, KY). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect ClearPath’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as… [Read more]
TDI-DWC Research: Texas Workers’ Comp Subscriber Rate Fell from 2016-2018
Austin, TX – The TDI-DWC’s Research and Evaluation Group recently released its report on Employer Participation in the Texas Workers’ Compensation System. In Texas, private-sector employers have been allowed the option of whether to purchase workers’ compensation insurance since 1913. Texas is the only state that allows private-sector employers the option of not purchasing workers’… [Read more]
AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to AmFed Advantage Insurance Company
Oldwick, NJ -(BusinessWire)- AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” to AmFed Advantage Insurance Company (AmFed Advantage) (Ridgeland, MS). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. AmFed Advantage is a wholly owned subsidiary of AmFed National Insurance Company (AmFed National),… [Read more]
IAIABC Announces 2019 NextGen Award Nominations Now Open
Middleton, WI – The IAIABC recently announced the kick off its third annual NextGen initiative, which recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who are having a positive impact on the workers’ compensation industry and doing exemplary work for their organizations. Nominations can be made for any individual under the age of 40 who is… [Read more]
ReEmployAbility Releases Annual RTW Program and Community Impact Results for 2018
Tampa, FL – ReEmployAbility recently released its Annual Program Results Summary from its flagship Transition2Work program. The 2018 summary provides an overview of the program’s success in the areas of community impact, performance results, and injured worker outcomes through fiscal year 2018. Since 2007, the nationwide Transition2Work program has placed injured employees at local not-for-profit… [Read more]