Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance recently announced its recommendation of a 1.0 percent increase in workers’ compensation insurance loss costs for 2021. This marks the first time in six years that average workers’ compensation rates will increase. This slight increase is attributable to a 0.5% increase in experience, trend… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
MIOSHA Partners with NSF International to Expand COVID-19 Workplace Safety Program
Lansing, MI – Businesses across Michigan can now schedule free COVID-19 safety consultations as a part of the new Ambassador program partnership with NSF International and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). Ambassadors are conducting outreach to statewide businesses to offer education and support to implement regulations on workplace safety. “Partnering with NSF… [Read more]
Ohio Governor DeWine Appoints John Logue New Administrator/CEO of BWC
Columbus, OH – Governor DeWine recently announced that John Logue, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s (BWC) Chief of Strategic Direction, will become the new administrator of Ohio BWC effective on November 16. Logue has worked for 26 years in the industry. Before returning to BWC in 2019, he most recently served as the vice… [Read more]
Oregon OSHA Adopts Temporary Rule Addressing COVID-19 in all Workplaces
Salem, OR – Oregon OSHA recently adopted a temporary rule that combats the spread of coronavirus in all workplaces by requiring employers to carry out a comprehensive set of risk-reducing measures. The rule will take effect Nov. 16, with certain parts phased in, and is expected to remain in effect until May 4, 2021. It… [Read more]
FL OIR Orders Larger Workers’ Comp Rate Decrease for 2021
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier recently issued an Order to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) requesting an amended rate filing to further reduce workers’ compensation rates for 2021. The Order notifies NCCI that the rate filing submitted for a 5.7% rate decrease has been disapproved and, if amended by November… [Read more]
CA DWC Holding Public Hearing Dec 14 for Proposed Revisions to Med-Legal Fee Schedule
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has issued a notice of public hearing for the amendment of the Medical–Legal Fee Schedule (MLFS), which can be found at California Code of Regulations, title 8, sections 9793-9795. The public hearing will be held via Zoom on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 10 a.m.… [Read more]
Ohio BWC Board Approves $5 Billion Dividend for Employers
Columbus, OH – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors recently approved Governor Mike DeWine’s request to send $5 billion in dividends to Ohio employers to ease COVID-19’s continued impact on the state’s business community and workforce. This is BWC’s third dividend in 2020, bringing total dividend dollars for employers to nearly… [Read more]
CWCI Notes California Workers’ Comp Benefit Increase for 2021
Oakland, CA – California’s State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) rose 4.3774 percent to $1,383 in the year ending March 31, 2020, which the California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) reports will boost temporary total disability (TTD) and permanent total disability (PTD) rates for 2021 work injury claims and other California workers’ comp benefits that are tied… [Read more]
AK Workers’ Compensation Rates to Decrease in 2021
Anchorage, AK – Alaska businesses will see another year of decreased workers’ compensation insurance rates in 2021. Workers’ compensation voluntary loss costs will decrease by an average of 14.9 percent, and assigned risk rates will decrease by an average of 9.6 percent from the current approved levels. “Lower workers’ compensation costs reduce the burden on… [Read more]
Ohio Governor DeWine Requests BWC Send $5 Billion Dividend to Employers
Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine was recently joined by Lt. Governor Jon Husted to request the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) send up to $5 billion in dividends to Ohio employers to ease the continued financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘This pandemic is unprecedented, and continues to financially impact Ohio employers… [Read more]