Washington, DC – The National Academy of Social Insurance recently released the latest version of its annual report, Workers’ Compensation Benefits, Costs, and Coverage – 2019 Data, which contains nineteen tables, seven figures, and five appendices covering national and state level data relevant to workers’ compensation outcomes. The data range from benefits, costs, and coverage… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
Oregon OSHA Proposes Rule Updates to Maintain Protections for Workers Against COVID-19
Salem, OR – Current protections for all Oregon workers against COVID-19 – including masking provisions renewed in response to the highly-infectious delta variant – would remain in place under a rule proposal by Oregon OSHA. The proposal does not involve new or substantive changes to the division’s existing rule addressing COVID-19 risks in Oregon workplaces.… [Read more]
Idaho Workers’ Compensation Rates Decreasing 7% for 2022
Boise, ID – The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) recently submitted their annual rate recommendation. NCCI’s recommendation is based on claims volume, claims utilization, workforce, and wages, as well as any changes in rules or legislation. After review and discussion, the Idaho Department of Insurance accepted a 7% reduction in rates, effective January 1,… [Read more]
CA Insurance Commissioner Lara Appoints Borrego to CIGA Board
Sacramento, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara recently announced several new appointments to help drive forward the California Department of Insurance’s mission to protect consumers, including the appointment of Tony Borrego to the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) Board of Governors. Tony Borrego is Founder of Spring Street Business Law, PC, a transactional law-focused law… [Read more]
CA DWC Launches Update to Online Education Module for Qualified Medical Evaluators
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has launched an update to the online physician education course, “Evaluating California’s Injured Workers: Qualified Medical Evaluators.” This course is strongly recommended for all California Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs). It is available to the public and is especially valuable for attorneys, claims administrators and medical… [Read more]
CT Insurance Department Considering 8-14% Drop in 2022 Workers’ Comp Rates
Hartford, CT – Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais issued a department notice on September 24 announcing a thirty (30) day period of public comment on the National Council on Compensation Insurance’s (“NCCI”) voluntary loss cost and assigned risk rate filing. NCCI is proposing that the Department approve an overall average change of -14.1% to the current voluntary… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Ethics Advisory Committee Annual Report for 2020
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently posted the 2020 Ethics Advisory Committee’s annual report on its website. The Workers’ Compensation Ethics Advisory Committee is a state committee independent from DWC that is charged with reviewing and monitoring complaints of misconduct filed against workers’ compensation administrative law judges. The Ethics Advisory… [Read more]
Ohio Public Employers’ Workers’ Comp Premium Rates to Drop 10%
Columbus, OH – Ohio’s public employers will pay nearly $17 million less in workers’ compensation insurance premiums next year to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) thanks to a rate cut that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. This 10% rate reduction was made possible by declining injury claims and relatively low medical… [Read more]
NSC Releases Statement on Biden Administration’s Workplace Vaccine Requirement
Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council is hopeful in response to the Biden Administration’s six-pronged, comprehensive national strategy to combat the pandemic – specifically, the Council supports the plan’s approach to workplace vaccine requirements to increase uptake among the unvaccinated. NSC has advocated for the use of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure worker safety and… [Read more]
WA L&I Proposes 3.1% Increase in Workers’ Comp Rates for 2022
Tumwater, WA – The state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is proposing a small increase in the average price employers and workers pay for workers’ compensation insurance next year. If the proposal is adopted, it would be the first time in five years that workers’ compensation rates would go up, but on average, premiums… [Read more]