Austin, TX – A year ago, it took months for insurance agents and adjusters to get continuing education transcripts, course credit, and other information from the Texas Department of Insurance. Today, it takes about two weeks. The improvement is part of Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan’s effort to build on best practices, modernize technology, and focus… [Read more]
Claims, Legal, & Compliance News
2019 WC Benchmarking Study Launches, Surveying Frontline Claims Pros for First Time
Chicago, IL – The Workers’ Compensation Benchmarking Study’s annual survey is underway. Now in its seventh year, the 2019 study will – for the first time ever – survey frontline claims professionals (instead of claims executives) to ascertain alignment between industry leadership and staff who directly handle workers’ compensation claims. As the industry’s largest talent… [Read more]
WCRI: Hospital Outpatient Payments 60%+ Higher in States without Fixed Fee Schedules
Cambridge, MA – Hospital outpatient payments were higher and growing faster in states with percent-of-charge-based fee regulations or no fee schedules, finds a study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The study, the latest in an annual series, compares hospital payments for a group of common outpatient surgeries in workers’ compensation across 36 states… [Read more]
WI DWD Holds Roundtable to Gather Input on Worker Misclassification
Waukesha, WI – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD), in collaboration with State Council of Carpenters and Painting and Allied Trades, recently held a Worker Misclassification Roundtable in Waukesha to gather information and input on the issue of Worker Misclassification in Wisconsin. The roundtable was hosted by Building Services Incorporated. “Under Governor Evers, the rights… [Read more]
WCRI: Average Total Cost of CA WC Claims Remained Stable, While Key Components Changed
Cambridge, MA – The average total cost of a workers’ compensation claim in California remained stable since the enactment of comprehensive reforms six years ago, but results mask recent changes in key cost components, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). Medical payments per claim increased annually for the first… [Read more]
Sentry Announces Enhancements to Workers’ Comp Claims Analytics Program
Stevens Point, WI – Sentry Insurance recently announced increased breadth and functionality in its workers’ compensation claims analytics program. This program aligns with the company’s longstanding dedication to effective claim resolutions while maintaining transparency and communication with their customers. By leveraging a series of predictive models, Sentry claims professionals are able to make an earlier,… [Read more]
BV Investment Partners Announces Investment in Franco Signor
Boston, MA – BV Investment Partners (“BV”), a middle-market private equity firm focused on the business services, software and IT services sectors, recently announced that it has made an investment in Franco Signor, a provider of Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) compliance solutions to the country’s largest self-insured companies, insurers, and third party administrators. Franco Signor,… [Read more]
MI AG and Legislative Leaders to Crack Down on Worker Misclassification
Lansing, MI – Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan legislators today unveiled measures to crack down on companies that misclassify workers to avoid paying full wages, overtime and taxes. According to a Michigan State University study (PDF), payroll fraud robs those workers and Michigan taxpayers of hundreds of millions of dollars in lost wages, benefits… [Read more]
Safety National Webinar: Telehealth: Redefining Intake in Workers’ Compensation
St. Louis, MO – Safety National recently announced a new complimentary webinar, noting that connecting patients with quality care is the cornerstone of a proactive advocacy model, and that telehealth is redefining how that happens in workers’ compensation. In the webinar a hand-picked panel of experts will discuss how an effective intake program puts employees… [Read more]
Pinnacol Highlights Occupational Injury Trends for CO Cannabis Industry
Denver, CO – Seven years after Colorado legalized recreational cannabis and 19 years after medical cannabis legalization, Colorado’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, Pinnacol Assurance, released an analysis of the cannabis industry’s most common occupational injury trends. According to Pinnacol’s claims data, approximately 350 Coloradans working in cannabis retail, cultivation, manufacturing, clerical support and transportation were… [Read more]