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]
Industry News
NSC Releases SAFER Framework for Employers During Reopening Efforts and Beyond
Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council released a framework summary for employers – based on recommendations from the SAFER: Safe Actions for Employee Returns task force – that identifies six critical areas employers must prioritize as they consider reopening and returning employees to traditional work environments. Based on dozens of corporate and public health… [Read more]
Cadence Rx Announces Partnership with BlueNet
Tampa, FL – Cadence Rx recently announced the partnership with Bluenet to deliver the Search & AI-driven insights platform powered by ThoughtSpot. The Cadence Rx platform is designed to drive a better patient experience, applying smart technology to drive improved content and decision making. Built on flexible cloud-based platform, providing scalability to accommodate growth and… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Adjustments to OMFS Including Expansion of Telehealth to Address COVID-19
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an order dated May 7, 2020, adjusting the Physician and Non-Physician Practitioner Services section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to additional Medicare fee schedule changes pursuant to Labor Code section 5307.1. The order includes technical updates and provisions to… [Read more]
NCCI Issues State of the Line Report at AIS Virtual Event
Boca Raton, FL – The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) recently held its Annual Issues Symposium (AIS Virtual). The event—themed “A New Decade In Sight”—featured NCCI’s chief actuary, Donna Glenn, FCAS, MAAA, who delivered the company’s highly anticipated State of the Line Report. NCCI’s State of the Line Report provided a detailed description of… [Read more]
CA State Fund Releases 2019 Annual Report
Pleasanton, CA – State Compensation Insurance Fund (State Fund) recently released its 2019 Annual Report, now available online. In his letter accompanying the report, State Fund President & CEO Vern Steiner discusses State Fund’s actions related to COVID-19, as well as the organization’s efforts to improve its customer technology, expand its workplace safety website, and… [Read more]
MedRisk’s Ken Martino Named President of Kids’ Chance of America
King of Prussia, PA – Kids’ Chance of America announced that its 2020-2021 president is Ken Martino, CPCU. The national nonprofit supports state organizations that provide scholarships to the children of workers who have been seriously or fatally injured on the job. KCOA has a presence in 47 states. Martino, the president of MedRisk, brings… [Read more]
AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Stonetrust Premier Casualty; Affirms Stonetrust Commercial
Oldwick, NJ -(BusinessWire)- AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B++ (Good) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “bbb+” to Stonetrust Premier Casualty Insurance Company. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term ICR… [Read more]
MEMIC Launches Pandemic Recovery Safety Planning Resources
Portland, ME – As states begin to lift restrictions on employers in various segments of the economy, MEMIC has released a safety procedures template to guide employers. The MEMIC Pandemic Recovery Safety Planning guide includes forms to assist with preparation, training and documentation. “’Planning’ is the operative word when bringing people back to the workplace,”… [Read more]
TDI-DWC Offering Texas Employers Online Safety Consultations
Austin, TX – The way we work has changed, but our mission is still the same. Because of changes brought on by COVID-19, the Texas OSHA Consultation Program is now providing online consultations. “The OSHA Consultation Program at the Division of Workers’ Compensation is changing how we do business right now to help everyone stay… [Read more]