San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation’s (DWC) Administrative Director George Parisotto has issued an Order updating the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) Drug List effective October 1, 2018 pursuant to Labor Code section 5307.29. The Administrative Director’s update Order adopts changes to the MTUS Drug List, based on the American College of… [Read more]
Industry News
CA WCIRB Releases First Quarter 2018 Experience Report
Oakland, CA – The WCIRB recently released its quarterly update on California statewide insurer experience valued as of March 31, 2018. Highlights of the report include: California written premium for the first calendar quarter of 2018 is $5.0 billion, which is consistent with the written premium reported for the first calendar quarter of 2017. The… [Read more]
Concentra Steps Up Telemed and Telerehab Expansion
Addison, TX – Concentra recently announced the continued expansion of Concentra Telemed to two additional states. In keeping with its commitment to launch virtual care to employers and their employees nationwide, the most recent implementation of Concentra’s telemedicine platform in Texas and Utah brings the total number of states served to 19 for Concentra Telemed… [Read more]
MIOSHA Offering $250,000 in Grants to Keep Workers Safe
Lansing, MI – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) recently announced that employers with up to 250 employees can now apply for a matching grant of up to $5,000 to make improvements in their workplace safety and health. The goal of the MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) grant program is… [Read more]
TN BWC Warns of Workers’ Compensation Scam After Woman Targeted
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is warning Tennesseans of a scam in which victims are contacted via Facebook Messenger and then asked to wire funds in order to receive money from a federal workers’ compensation program. The alleged scam artist, who used the account of an actual Facebook friend, recently… [Read more]
Paradigm Announces Acquisition of Adva-Net
Walnut Creek, CA – Paradigm Outcomes, a manager of catastrophic and complex cases for the workers’ compensation industry recently announced it has acquired Adva-Net, an ancillary network for high-acuity workers’ compensation claims, providing services for comprehensive pain management, post-acute care management and addiction recovery. The acquisition will strengthen Paradigm’s specialty network footprint and capabilities, accelerate… [Read more]
EK Health Announces Acquisition of The Directions Group
San Jose, CA – EK Health Services, Inc. recently announced the acquisition of The Directions Group, Inc. Effective 9/1/2018, The Directions Group will become an integral subsidiary of EK Health and the two organizations will officially merge as one of the nation’s leading independent providers of managed care services to the workers’ compensation industry. EK… [Read more]
HEMIC Directors Declare a $3.5 Million Dividend
Honolulu, HI – The Board of Directors of Hawai’i Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company, Inc. (HEMIC) has declared a $3.5 million dividend payable to qualifying policyholders. This is the twelfth consecutive year that the HEMIC Board has authorized a multi-million dollar dividend. With this dividend, HEMIC will have returned over $34.5 million to Hawai’i businesses over… [Read more]
FL CFO Jimmy Patronis: $50,000 Workers’ Comp Fraud Scheme Put Employees at Risk
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis recently announced the arrest of Vanessa Arreguin, owner of V&G Concrete, Inc. for workers’ compensation fraud. Over the course of two years she conducted more than $7.5 million in business, but claimed she made less than $50,000. By doing so, she deliberately evaded paying $51,000… [Read more]
AK Governor Walker Signs Workers’ Comp Reform Legislation into Law
Anchorage, AK – Bipartisan legislation to reform Alaska’s workers’ compensation system was recently signed into law during a ceremony held in conjunction with the annual AFL-CIO Summer Convention. Alaska Governor Bill Walker put forward House Bill 79 to modernize the system and to clearly define for the first time in Alaska’s history who can be… [Read more]