Cambridge, MA – A recently released study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that medical payments per claim in Wisconsin remained stable between 2019 and 2021 after prior years saw moderate growth. Wisconsin, however, sees some of the highest prices and payments per claim out of any of the study states. “Both higher… [Read more]
Association, Rating & Research News
AM Best Revises Issuer Credit Rating Outlook to Stable for ICW Group
Oldwick, NJ -(BusinessWire)- AM Best has revised the outlook to stable from positive for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a” (Excellent) of Insurance Company of the West (headquartered in San Diego, CA) and its pooled subsidiaries, collectively referred… [Read more]
TDI-DWC Research Group Releases Releases Health Care Cost and Utilization Report
Austin, TX – The Texas Department of Insurance’s Workers’ Compensation Research and Evaluation Group recently announced the release of a new report analyzing medical utilization and cost in the Texas workers’ compensation system between 2012 and 2022, including: Overall health care costs. Professional service cost and utilization. Hospital/institutional service cost and utilization. Dental service cost… [Read more]
NCCI Releases Injury Characteristics & Insights Dashboard
Boca Raton, FL – NCCI recently released a new Injury Characteristics & Insights Dashboard, which provides an overview of the average cost of lost-time workers compensation claims. This valuable resource delivers data and insights into Cause of Injury (COI), Nature of Injury (NOI), and Part of Body (POB) groupings. This resource includes: Key insights that… [Read more]
New WCRI Study Examines Time from Injury to First Medical Service Pre & Post Pandemic
Cambridge, MA – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) recently announced a new study that examines the time from injury to first medical service among injured workers across states before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Time to first service provides insights for the understanding of access to medical care for workers with injuries. “Stakeholders in… [Read more]
NCCI Publishes Second Report on Future of Workplace Safety Technology
Boca Raton, FL – NCCI recently announced the release of the second installment in its new insights series, “The Future of Workplace Safety Technology Is Now,” which explores carrier viewpoints on the latest trends in safety technology. There’s a growing buzz in workers compensation that technology, the workplace, and the role of workers are changing… [Read more]
TDI-DWC Releases Report on Texas Workplace Injury and Illness Rates
Austin, TX – Each year, The Texas Department of Insurance’s Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) compiles data on work-related injuries and illnesses that happen in Texas for the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The TDI-DWC also releases its 2022 Rates of Texas Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Report to the public to help… [Read more]
WCRI: Mental Health Comorbidities Related to Poorer Functional Outcomes than Physical in Low Back Pain
Cambridge, MA – A new Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) study recently found that mental health comorbidities (anxiety, depression, sleep dysfunction) had a stronger association with smaller functional recoveries than physical health comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, obesity). The study is based on a large sample of 68,850 workers who were injured on the job and received… [Read more]
CWCI Notes No Change in CA Workers’ Comp Weekly TD Rates For 2024
Oakland, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor recently issued new data showing California’s State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) edged down 0.48 percent from $1,650 to $1,642 in the 12 months ending March 31, 2023. As a result, the California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) notes there will be no change in California’s minimum and maximum… [Read more]
WCRI: Medical Payments in Texas Stable from 2016 to 2021, Masking Offsetting Trends
Cambridge, MA – A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that medical payments for the treatment of workers injured on the job in Texas changed little between 2016 and 2021. “The stability we see in medical payments in Texas over the study period masked offsetting changes, including a decline in utilization… [Read more]