Washington, DC – The American Property Casualty Insurance Association recently released a statement in support of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health hearing entitled “An Epidemic within a Pandemic: Understanding Substance Use and Misuse in America.” Nat Wienecke, APCIA’s senior vice president of federal government relations made the following statement: “APCIA applauds… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
CA DWC to Host Zoom Q&A Meetings on Med-Legal Fee Schedule Regulations
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently announced it will host Zoom meetings on April 13 and April 20 to answer questions about the implementation of the Medical-Legal Fee Schedule Regulations, which became effective April 1. Because DWC is in the implementation phase of these regulations and to ensure sufficient time… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Additional Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (DMEPOS)
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an order adjusting the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to relevant 2021 changes in the Medicare payment system as required by Labor Code section 5307.1. The order is the second… [Read more]
WCRI FlashReport Examines Role of Recent Fee Schedule Changes on ASC Payments in GA
Cambridge, MA – A new FlashReport from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examines recent trends in payments to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in Georgia and the role of recent fee schedule changes, including changes to Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) reimbursement rates, which are the basis of the Georgia workers’ compensation outpatient… [Read more]
PA Insurance Commissioner Approves Workers’ Comp Loss-Cost Reduction
Harrisburg, PA – Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman recently announced approval of a loss-cost filing, including a 3.02 percent reduction in loss costs. Loss-costs are a component in determining workers’ comp insurance rates paid by businesses, and this reduction should lead to lower premiums for many Pennsylvania businesses. This loss-cost revision was filed by the Pennsylvania… [Read more]
KY Labor Cabinet Announces DWC Administrative Law Judge Opening
Frankfort, KY – The Kentucky Labor Cabinet recently announced that the Workers’ Compensation Nominating Committee is now accepting applications to fill a vacant Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) position in the Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims for a term expiring July 14, 2024. The position is full-time and appointees shall not hold any other public office… [Read more]
WCRI Releases National Inventory of Workers’ Comp Medical Cost Containment Strategies
Cabmridge, MA – With medical benefits representing the single largest cost component for many state workers’ compensation systems, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) has released a new study that provides a basic understanding of the cost containment strategies used in all 50 states and 3 federal workers’ compensation programs as of January 1, 2021.… [Read more]
CA DWC: OAL Approved Medical-Legal Fee Schedule Regulations Effective April 1
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has received notification from the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) that the final version of the proposed Medical-Legal Fee Schedule (MLFS) was forwarded on March 30, 2021 to the office of the Secretary of State for filing and printing. This action represents official adoption of… [Read more]
Gregory M. Derwart Named Deputy Commissioner of MD Insurance Administration
Baltimore, MD – Maryland Insurance Commissioner Kathleen A. Birrane recently named Gregory M. Derwart as Deputy Commissioner of the Maryland Insurance Administration. Since July 2020, Derwart has served as Chief of Staff for the Administration, acting as a strategic advisor to Commissioner Birrane, directing operational activities, leading special projects and coordinating the Administration’s engagement with… [Read more]
CA CHSWC Commissioners Doug Bloch and Martin Brady Reappointed by Governor Newsom
Oakland, CA – The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC) announces the reappointment of Doug Bloch and Martin Brady to the Commission. A total of eight (8) Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. Labor Code 75 establishes that two of the employer members and two of the labor members… [Read more]