Boca Raton, FL – NCCI recently announced the release of its first research report with insights on the medical component of 2020 claim activity, including COVID-19 claims: COVID-19’s Impact on Medical Treatment in Workers Compensation – A First Look at 2020 NCCI noted that there is no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has had and… [Read more]
Claims, Legal, & Compliance News
Safety National Webinar: Strategies for Retiring Old Dog Workers’ Compensation Claims
St. Louis, MO – Safety National recently announced a new complimentary webinar, noting that many workers’ comp professionals have worked with claims that have stubbornly resisted resolution—those old dog claims. Settling files greatly reduces costs, reserves and collateral needs. Mitigating the impact of old dog claims requires sound strategies for uncovering opportunities to settle and… [Read more]
WCRI: Medical Payments in CA Workers’ Comp System Show Effects of Policy Changes
Cambridge, MA – Medical payments per claim in California were typical of other states for 2016 claims with experience through 2019 (2016/2019), the effect of comprehensive reform legislation, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). In previous years, medical payments per claim in California were higher than typical. Average payments… [Read more]
Preferred Medical Drug News Examines Opioid Accountability
Louisville, KY – Purdue Pharma, the company that manufactures OxyContin, is in the news. Again. On October 21, the Sackler family (company owners) agreed to pay $225 million to resolve their liability under the False Claims Act (FCA). On November 24, their company pled guilty to three felonies – two counts of conspiracy to violate… [Read more]
Paradigm: Independent Study Finds Catastrophic Care Management Improved Outcomes
Walnut Creek, CA – Paradigm recently announced the results of a study conducted by an independent actuarial firm. Among other key findings, the study shows that catastrophic workers’ compensation cases managed by Paradigm achieved lifetime medical savings of 32%, and a return to work rate nearly six times higher than industry standards. The study examines… [Read more]
Coventry Whitepaper: Specialty Networks Play Key Role in Fighting Opioid Misuse
Downers Grove, IL – Coventry recently announced released a new whitepaper entitled “Specialty Networks Play a Key Role in Fighting Opioid Misuse.” The new paper notes that for all the progress our nation has made in reducing opioid prescriptions, misuse of these powerful analgesics remains an intractable problem. And while much work remains, the health… [Read more]
WCRI Webinar Examines Early Physical Therapy for Injured Workers with Low Back Pain
Cambridge, MA – WCRI recently announced a new one-hour webinar on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, at 2 p.m. ET on WCRI’s recent study The Timing of Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain: Does It Matter in Workers’ Compensation? The authors of the study ─ Ms. Dongchun Wang, Dr. Randy Lea, and Dr. Kathryn Mueller ─… [Read more]
Paradigm Webinar: Concussions/Mild TBIs: Early Intervention to Achieve the Best Outcomes
Walnut Creek, CA – Paradigm recently announced a free webinar on concussions—or mild traumatic brain injuries—can be extremely challenging to diagnose and treat due to variability in symptoms, inadequate treatment, and other factors, such as medical, psychosocial, and environmental. They can also delay or limit recovery from other work-related injuries, impacting functional independence and return… [Read more]
WA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Violators Cited and Fined for Mask Violations
Tumwater, WA – As the number of COVID-19 cases grows in Washington, so does the number of complaints about workplaces violating state Safe Start and masking requirements. Complaints about possible violations are up substantially this week after Gov. Jay Inslee announced new restrictions to help curtail the growing pandemic. The Department of Labor & Industries… [Read more]
IMCS Group Announces Follow-on Investment from Hartford Investment Management Group
St. Petersburg, FL – IMCS Group (IMCS) recently announced follow-on participation in its recent Series A1 from the Hartford Investment Management Company (HIMCO), a subsidiary of The Hartford. The company plans to use these funds to expand its evidence-based behavioral therapy programs, which allow workers to return to work more quickly and have more positive… [Read more]