San Francisco, CA – In line with Governor’s Newsom’s stay-at home order in response to the COVID-19 crisis issued on March 19, the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) encourages primary treating physicians to continue to manage injured workers’ care through telehealth options whenever medically appropriate. Telehealth options include remote visits via video-conferencing, video-calling or similar… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
MA Division of Insurance Announces Reduction in Workers’ Compensation Rates
Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Division of Insurance recently approved a 6.8 percent reduction in the existing overall average workers’ compensation insurance rates for policies effective on and after July 1, 2020. The rate decrease was the result of a compromise reached by the State Rating Bureau, the Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau of… [Read more]
ND Gov. Extends WC to First Responders, Health Workers Who Contract COVID-19
Bismarck, ND – Gov. Doug Burgum recently signed an executive order extending worker’s compensation coverage to first responders and health care providers who contract COVID-19 on the job. North Dakota’s worker’s compensation law currently does not cover viruses such as COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The law also isn’t structured to provide… [Read more]
CT Governor Lamont Suspends Workers’ Comp Deadlines, Orders WCC Staff Reductions
Hartford, CT – The Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission recently announced several changes as a result of the Covid-19 health crisis: Governor Lamont Suspends Workers’ Compensation Deadlines Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, Governor Lamont has suspended non-critical Workers’ Compensation Commission statutory, regulatory and administrative deadlines. WCC is hopeful these temporary deadline suspensions outlined in the Governor’s… [Read more]
CA DWC Provides Guidance on Medical Evaluations During State of Emergency Period
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) appreciates the efforts of the workers’ compensation community to provide care for injured workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of paramount importance is that everyone follow all guidance from the Governor as well as federal, state and local public health agencies regarding COVID-19. After adherence to… [Read more]
Today: Triple-I To Brief Insurance Regulators On COVID-19’s Market Impact
New York, NY – The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) will deliver an online presentation to state regulators this week on the financial impact/policy coverage issues raised by COVID-19 in the U.S.’s property/casualty (P/C) insurance markets. The Triple-I’s remarks will be delivered as part of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) special session on COVID-19,… [Read more]
Mitch Steiger Elected 2020 Chair of CA CHSWC
Oakland, CA – The California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC) is pleased to announce the unanimous election of Commissioner Mitch Steiger as the Chair of the Commission for 2020. The election was held at the January 31, 2020 public CHSWC meeting in Oakland. Mr. Steiger was appointed to the Commission in… [Read more]
Katrina Hagen Appointed Director of CA DIR
Sacramento, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced the appointment of Katrina S. Hagen, of Sacramento, as appointed director of the California Department of Industrial Relations. Hagen has served as chief deputy director at the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration since 2017. She was deputy director of operations at the California Department of Human… [Read more]
Ohio BWC Cancels Safety Congress & Expo on Coronavirus Concerns, Online Components Still On
Columbus, OH – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has cancelled its annual Ohio Safety Congress & Expo scheduled for Wednesday through Friday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center due to concerns surrounding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). An online component of the workplace health and safety event will go on as scheduled, however, providing… [Read more]
Ohio BWC Board Reduces Rates for Private Employers
Columbus, OH – Ohio’s private employers will pay nearly $132 million less in premiums to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation next fiscal year under a 13% rate reduction the agency’s Board of Directors approved last week. The reduction marks BWC’s third largest rate cut in 60 years and follows the agency’s largest rate reduction… [Read more]