Manasquan, NJ – During the 2019 NCOIL Annual Meeting in Austin, TX, the organization adopted the NCOIL Workers’ Compensation Drug Formulary Model Act sponsored by Indiana Representative Matt Lehman, 2020 NCOIL President. The Model passed without objection on a voice vote by both the Workers Compensation and the NCOIL Executive Committees. The Workers’ Compensation Committee… [Read more]
Industry News
CopperPoint Insurance Companies Partners with Kids’ Chance of America
Phoenix, AZ – Kids’ Chance of America recently announced CopperPoint Insurance Companies as its newest corporate partner. Kids’ Chance of America (KCOA) relies on support from major corporate partnerships to advance its mission of supporting Kids’ Chance state organizations across the country. Having a sustainable foundation enables us to plan our growth and commit to… [Read more]
NCCI Releases Q4 2019 Quarterly Economics Briefing
Boca Raton, FL – NCCI recently announced the release of the Q4 2019 edition of its Quarterly Economics Briefing, which examines the current state of the economy and implications for workers compensation insurance, and is separated into two sections: “Economic Outlook” and “Drilling Down”. Economic Outlook Key takeaways include: NCCI forecasts the annual average weekly… [Read more]
Aspen Risk Management Group Acquired by TRISTAR Insurance Group
Long Beach, CA – TRISTAR Insurance Group, Inc., the largest privately owned, independent third party claims administrator in the United States, recently agreed to acquire Aspen Risk Management Group. The acquisition is a significant step forward in establishing a strategic presence in the loss control and workplace safety market. In addition to its risk control… [Read more]
Jackie Secia Named CWCI Claims/Medical Director
Oakland, CA – Jacqueline (Jackie) Secia has been named the new Claims and Medical Director of the California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) according to Alex Swedlow, President of the Oakland-based research organization. Ms. Secia is a graduate of University of California, Irvine where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history. Her tenure in the California… [Read more]
Fraudulent Billing Leads to Ohio Occupational Therapist’s Conviction
Columbus, OH – A northeast Ohio occupational therapist was convicted last month for felony workers’ compensation fraud for billing the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) for treatment services she did not provide to patients. Susanna Kagalitskaya Freedman pleaded guilty in a Cuyahoga County court to a fifth-degree felony count of workers’ compensation fraud. The… [Read more]
CA WCIRB Releases Study on Impact of Physical Medicine on Opioid Use and Lost Time
Oakland, CA – The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) recently released a new study, Physical Medicine Treatments and Their Impact on Opioid Use and Lost Time in California Workers’ Compensation. The study reveals insights into the overall trends and patterns of physical medicine treatment cost and utilization. It quantifies the potential substitution… [Read more]
Helmsman Management Services Closes Acquisition of TPA Eberle Vivian
Boston, MA – Helmsman Management Services (HMS), Liberty Mutual’s wholly owned third-party administrator, has announced the close of its previously announced deal to acquire Eberle Vivian Inc., a well-respected regional third-party administrator (TPA) serving the Pacific Northwest. “The acquisition – and the continuation of the strong Eberle Vivian brand as an operating unit within Helmsman… [Read more]
One Call Announces New Board of Directors
Jacksonville, FL – One Call recently announced its newly appointed board of directors. The newly constituted board of directors will help lead and guide the company to achieve growth and success as it enters a new phase of ownership following the comprehensive recapitalization completed in October 2019 whereby lenders KKR, Blackstone, and Chatham Asset Management,… [Read more]
WA Real Estate Broker Sentenced to Repay $86,000 in Workers’ Comp Scam
Everett, WA – A Bothell man who worked as a commercial real estate broker while illegally taking disability payments must repay the state more than $86,000 and spend 60 days in detention. Robert K.J. Choe pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree theft. Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Eric Lucas sentenced Choe to 60 days in jail,… [Read more]