San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an order adopting regulations to update the evidence-based treatment guidelines of the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS). The updates, effective for medical treatment services rendered on or after April 18, 2019, incorporate by reference the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine’s (ACOEM’s)… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
US DOL Creates Chief Data Officer Position and Establishes Data Board
Washington, DC – Earlier this year the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 was signed into law, which included the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act (OPEN Government Data Act). The OPEN Government Data Act, among other things, directs the head of each agency to “designate a nonpolitical appointee employee in the… [Read more]
Montana State Fund Reduces Workers’ Comp Premium Rates 8.6 Percent
Helena, MT – Insurance Commissioner Matt Rosendale recently released the below statement following the Montana State Fund Board of Directors’ approval of an 8.6% average reduction of workers’ comp premium rates for about 25,000 employers the fund covers: “I’m pleased to see a reduction in the State Fund’s rates after I approved the biggest loss… [Read more]
TDI-DWC Research: Texas Workers’ Comp Subscriber Rate Fell from 2016-2018
Austin, TX – The TDI-DWC’s Research and Evaluation Group recently released its report on Employer Participation in the Texas Workers’ Compensation System. In Texas, private-sector employers have been allowed the option of whether to purchase workers’ compensation insurance since 1913. Texas is the only state that allows private-sector employers the option of not purchasing workers’… [Read more]
MA AG Healey Joins Lawsuit Over Rollback of Workplace Injury, Illness Reporting Rules
Boston, MA – Attorney General Maura Healey recently joined a lawsuit to stop the reversal of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule requiring public reporting of workplace injuries and illnesses. The lawsuit, filed by a group of six attorneys general in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against OSHA and… [Read more]
DEA Enhances Tool for Drug Manufacturers, Distributors to Combat Opioid Crisis
Washington, DC – The Drug Enforcement Administration recently announced the launch of an enhanced system to help more than 1,500 registered drug manufacturers and distributors nationwide more effectively identify potential illicit drug diversion and combat the opioid epidemic. On Oct. 24, 2018, The President signed into law the “Substance Use–Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery… [Read more]
Conference Chronicles – WCRI: Opioids in Workers’ Comp: Research and Reduction Efforts
Phoenix, AZ – At the 2019 WCRI Annual Conference, a session discussed a variety of research and efforts relating to the opioid epidemic. Moderator: Mr. Tim Hassett-Salley, WCRI Speakers: Dr. Vennela Thumula, WCRI Dr. Letitia Davis, Massachusetts Department of Public Health Ms. Jacqueline Kurth, Industrial Commission of Arizona Mr. Jason Porter, Industrial Commission of Arizona… [Read more]
Ohio BWC Drops Painkiller Oxycontin from Formulary
Columbus, OH – The powerful painkiller Oxycontin, widely blamed for kickstarting the nation’s opioid crisis, will no longer be newly prescribed for injured workers in the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s system starting July 1. Following a recommendation from BWC Chief Medical Officer Terry Welsh, the agency’s Board of Directors recently voted to drop the… [Read more]
Ohio BWC: Average Private Employer Workers’ Comp Rates to Drop 20 Percent
Columbus, OH – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors recently approved a 20 percent reduction in the average premium rate it collects from private employers. The reduction is BWC’s largest in nearly 60 years. “We’re pleased to continue the trend of falling rates with a reduction that will save Ohio private… [Read more]
MT Insurance Commissioner Approves Largest Workers’ Comp Rate Decrease in 8 Years
Helena, MT – Insurance Commissioner Matt Rosendale has approved the largest reduction in workers compensation loss costs since 2011, when he helped pass bipartisan reforms in the legislature that year. The 17.2 percent overall average decrease filed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) will take effect on July 1, 2019 and does not… [Read more]