Schenectady, NY – New York State Workers’ Compensation Board Chair Clarissa M. Rodriguez recently announced the Board has launched a new tool that makes it even easier for injured workers, attorneys and other participants to attend workers’ compensation hearings remotely. The Board’s virtual hearings, a first-in-the-nation initiative, give injured workers a way to move the… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
TDI-DWC Finalizes Medical Quality Review CY 2019 Annual Audit Plan
Austin, TX – On November 16, 2018, the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) solicited input from workers’ compensation system participants regarding a potential category for the 2019 Medical Quality Review Annual Audit Plan (Annual Plan). DWC appreciates the input provided by system participants. All comments were carefully considered and discussed. The… [Read more]
AK State Rep. Josephson Pre-Files Legislation to Improve Workers’ Comp System
Juneau, AK – Representative Andy Josephson recently announced he had pre-filed legislation to make vital improvements to Alaska’s Workers Compensation system. House Bill 30 features several improvements including adjusting benefits for inflation for those receiving Permanent Partial Impairment (PPI) and death benefits. These benefits have not been adjusted for inflation for approximately 20 and 50… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Updated MTUS Drug List Effective February 15
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Administrative Director George Parisotto has issued an Order updating the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) Drug List effective February 15, 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 Occupational… [Read more]
Taylor Burks Named MO Division of Labor Standards Director
Jefferson City, MO – Anna S. Hui, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director recently announced Taylor Burks will serve as the next Division of Labor Standards Director. “Taylor joins our team with great experience and qualifications and will be a tremendous asset to the Division of Labor Standards,” said Hui. “He brings a… [Read more]
CA WCIRB Releases California Terrorism Risk Assessment Study
San Francisco, CA – The WCIRB has released the Workers’ Compensation California Terrorism Risk Assessment study that was developed in partnership with Risk Management Solutions, Inc. (RMS), a leading provider of catastrophe modeling analytics. The study is intended to estimate potential California workers’ compensation losses arising from certified terrorist acts that would be retained by… [Read more]
ME Governor-Elect Mills Announces DOL Commissioner, Exec Director of WC Board
Augusta, ME – Governor-elect Janet Mills recently announced that she will nominate Laura Fortman to serve as the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor and John Rohde to serve as Executive Director of the Workers’ Compensation Board. Fortman served as Maine’s Commissioner of Labor from 2003-2011 and as the Deputy Administrator of the Wage… [Read more]
CA CHSWC Commissioners Bloch, Bouma, and McNally Reappointed by Governor Brown
Oakland, CA – The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC) recently announced the reappointment of Doug Bloch, Christine Bouma, and Sean McNally 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… [Read more]
Colin M. Hayashida Appointed as Hawaii Insurance Commissioner
Honolulu, HI – Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Director Catherine P. Awakuni Colón recently named Colin M. Hayashida as insurance commissioner for the State of Hawaii. The appointment was effective January 1, 2019. The Hawaii Insurance Division regulates the Hawaii insurance industry, issues licenses, examines the fiscal condition of Hawaii-based companies, reviews rate… [Read more]
PA Insurance Commissioner Commends First Insurers to Retroactively Correct Workers’ Comp Charges
Harrisburg, PA – Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman recently commended Zenith Insurance Company and ZNAT Insurance Company, the first insurers to submit informational workers compensation filings that describe how the insurance companies are retroactively correcting charges to employers for their workers compensation policies written between April 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018. The informational filings were… [Read more]