Austin, TX – A year ago, it took months for insurance agents and adjusters to get continuing education transcripts, course credit, and other information from the Texas Department of Insurance. Today, it takes about two weeks. The improvement is part of Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan’s effort to build on best practices, modernize technology, and focus… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
NCCI Examines Marijuana Legalization: Five Things You Need to Know
Boca Raton, FL – The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) recently released an update on marijuana legalization that addresses the top five questions on the minds of workers compensation industry stakeholders. “Though a majority of states have legalized marijuana in some form, it remains illegal at the federal level and the issue continues to… [Read more]
GA Insurance Commissioner Beck Charged with $2 Million Fraud Scheme
Atlanta, GA – Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim C. Beck was recently indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering. The 38-count indictment alleges that Beck stole more than $2,000,000 from his former employer, the Georgia Underwriting Association, during the five years just prior to Beck’s election to… [Read more]
MO DWC Expands Use of Box Account, Notes Time and Money Savings for Businesses
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently announced its continued expansion in use of Box Account, a virtual mailbox, to achieve efficiencies for its external stakeholders. The Attorney General’s Labor Unit recently began using Box to file Answers to Workers’ Compensation Claims filed by… [Read more]
TDCI Commissioner McPeak Announces Departure for Private Sector
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak recently announced she is leaving Tennessee state government in order to pursue career opportunities in the private sector. Her last day as commissioner will be June 14, 2019. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has named TDCI Deputy Commissioner Carter Lawrence to serve… [Read more]
New WCRI Study: Medical Fee Schedule Adoption, Reform, and Update Processes
Cambridge, MA – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) recently released a new edition of its study on fee schedules, Designing Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Schedules, 2019. The purpose of the study is help policymakers who are looking to adopt, reform, or update the medical fee schedule in their state workers’ compensation system. “If you… [Read more]
WCRI: Average FL Workers’ Comp Claim Cost Grew Moderately
Cambridge, MA – Total costs per workers’ compensation claim in Florida grew moderately since 2013, but that result masks recent changes in key cost components related to court decisions and medical fee schedule changes, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). Indemnity benefits per claim grew faster for claims with… [Read more]
CA CHSWC Releases 2018 Annual Report
Oakland, CA – The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC) has released its twenty-fourth Annual Report for 2018. The 2018 Annual Report presents information about the health and safety and workers’ compensation systems in California and makes recommendations to improve their operations. The Annual Report summarizes the state of all the relevant… [Read more]
FL Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Firefighter Cancer Benefits Bill
Tallahassee, FL – Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed CS/CS/SB 426: Firefighters, granting certain benefits to a firefighter upon receiving a diagnosis of cancer. Nationwide, 70 percent of firefighter line-of-duty deaths in 2016 were cancer-related. With the signing of this legislation, Florida joins 45 other states that provide a cancer benefit to these first responders. The… [Read more]
CA CHSWC Releases 2018 WOSHTEP Advisory Board Annual Report
Oakland, CA – The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC) has released the 2018 WOSHTEP Advisory Board Annual Report. WOSHTEP, the Worker Occupational Safety and Health Training and Education Program, is a statewide effort aimed at reducing job-related injuries and illnesses among California workers. This program was created as part of workers’… [Read more]