Boca Raton, FL – NCCI recently released a new research brief on Drug-Free Workplace Premium Credit Programs, noting that legalization of marijuana, both recreational and medical, has been an active issue over the last few years, and its implications for workers’ compensation are still being evaluated. One question naturally arises—what are the implications of the… [Read more]
Association, Rating & Research News
New CWCI Data: COVID-19 Accounts for 1 in 9 CA Workers’ Comp Claims in 2020
Oakland, CA – The California workers’ compensation COVID-19 claim count continued to grow in August, albeit at a much slower rate than in July, with new data showing that as of September 21, the state had recorded 5,130 COVID-19 claims with August injury dates, bringing the total for the year to 41,861 claims, or 11.2%… [Read more]
CWCI Finds Steep Drop in CA Workers’ Comp IMR Volume in First Half of 2020
Oakland, CA – With the pandemic taking a toll on the California economy, statewide unemployment spiking to a record level, and workers comp claim volume on the decline, the number of independent medical reviews (IMRs) used to resolve California workers’ compensation medical disputes fell sharply in the first half of 2020 according to the latest… [Read more]
CWCI Study Tracks Post-Reform Shifts in CA Workers’ Comp Medical Service Trends
Oakland, CA – The average number of visits for Evaluation and Management (E&M) and Physical Medicine services in the California workers’ compensation system has continued to edge down since the enactment of SB 863 in 2012, but with the adoption of the RBRVS fee schedule, evidence-based medicine standards, mandatory Utilization Review and Independent Medical Review,… [Read more]
CA WCIRB Releases 2019 Workers’ Comp Aggregate Medical Payment Trends Report
Oakland, CA – The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) recently released the 2019 California Workers’ Compensation Aggregate Medical Payment Trends report comparing medical payment information from 2017 to 2019. This report analyzes medical payment and utilization trends by provider type, service locations and service types. The report also includes an analysis on… [Read more]
Coventry Releases Part Four of 2019 Workers’ Comp Drug Trends Series Report
Downers Grove, IL – Coventry recently announced the release of part four its our workers’ compensation drug trends series, which takes a closer look at high impact drug classes. The report notes that categories such as topicals, compound kits, combo packs, and specialty medications represent proportionately low utilization. However, they can be associated with exponentially… [Read more]
CA WCIRB Governing Committee Votes to Amend January 1, 2021 Pure Premium Rate Filing
Oakland, CA – The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) Governing Committee recently voted to amend its January 1, 2021 Pure Premium Rate Filing that was submitted to the Insurance Commissioner on August 26, 2020. While not amending the overall average pure premium rate of $1.56 per $100 of payroll, the WCIRB will… [Read more]
New WCRI Study: Better Outcomes Associated with Early Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain
Cambridge, MA – As an increasing number of workers with injuries are receiving physical therapy (PT), a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) finds that for workers with low back pain (LBP) only injuries, early initiation of PT is associated with lower utilization and costs of medical services and shorter duration of… [Read more]
WCRI to Host Free Webinar on Delivery of Medical Care and Return to Work During COVID-19
Cambridge, MA – The Workers Compensation Research Institute’s (WCRI) recently announced a new free webinar where President and CEO John Ruser will discuss the delivery of medical care and return to work in the COVID-19 era. Dr. Ruser will be joined by Dr. Randy Lea, who is a senior research fellow at WCRI, an orthopedic… [Read more]
HEMIC Rated A (Excellent) with Stable Outlook by A.M. Best
Honolulu, HI – A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Stable) for Hawai`i Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company, Inc. (HEMIC), the largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Hawai`i. HEMIC has maintained an A rating from A.M Best every year since they were… [Read more]