San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted proposed amendments to the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) regulations to its online forum where members of the public may review and comment on the proposals. The proposed changes are necessary to bring existing regulations into compliance with amendments to the Labor Code and… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
Texas Mutual Announces Major Victory in Air Ambulance Pricing Issue
Austin, TX – The Supreme Court of the United States announced on April 26 that it will let stand a 2020 decision by the Supreme Court of Texas that limits workers’ compensation air ambulance payments to what is “fair and reasonable.” Texas Mutual has been opposing the drastic increase in air ambulance prices since 2012… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Q&A Recordings from Medical-Legal Fee Schedule Meetings
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently posted the recordings of the Question and Answer Meetings held by Zoom on April 13 and April 20 regarding the new Medical-Legal Fee Schedule for the workers’ compensation system. The links to the recorded sessions, which answered questions from stakeholders regarding the implementation of… [Read more]
MN Governor Walz Signs Bill Extending COVID-19 WC Presumption for Front Line Workers
St. Paul, MN – Governor Tim Walz recently signed Chapter 12, HF 2253 into law, extending workers’ compensation eligibility for emergency first responders and front-line workers, which was set to expire May 1, 2021. The bill ensures that front-line workers, including doctors and nurses, firefighters, paramedics, police, long-term care workers, home health workers, correctional officers,… [Read more]
RIMS Sets Advocacy Guidelines for Covid-19 Liability Protection Legislation
New York, NY – Understanding that a balance must exist between a business owner’s need to operate without being exposed to unreasonable liability and the rights of the general public to seek just compensation for damages unreasonably caused by businesses, RIMS, the risk management society®, has issued a statement to guide its advocacy for federal… [Read more]
CA WCIRB Governing Committee Authorizes Sep 1 Pure Premium Rate Filing
San Francisco, CA – The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) Governing Committee recently voted to authorize the WCIRB to submit a September 1, 2021 Pure Premium Rate Filing to the California Insurance Commissioner. The filing will propose advisory pure premium rates that will be on average approximately 2.7 percent above the average… [Read more]
APCIA Commends House Action to Address Intersection of Insurance and Cannabis
Washington, DC – The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) released a following statement commending the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 1996, the SAFE Banking Act. The legislation will prevent federal prosecution of and civil liability for insurance agents, brokers, and carriers, as well as their officers, directors, or employees when engaging in the… [Read more]
Conning Announces Newest Focus Series: Presumptions and the Future of Workers’ Comp 2021
Hartford, CT – How will the expansion of Covid-19 presumptions affect workers’ compensation insurance? Will newly introduced presumptions challenge the foundations of the workers’ compensation, cause the next workers’ compensation crisis, or prove to be manageable? Is workers’ compensation the appropriate source of benefits for an infectious disease in the first place? The Conning Focus… [Read more]
CWCI Analyzes Impact of AB 1465 Workers’ Comp MPN Bill
Oakland, CA – A new California Workers’ Compensation Institute analysis finds that legislation (AB 1465) intended to increase injured workers’ access to medical care by requiring the state to create a medical provider network (CAMPN) as an alternative to private networks that render 90 percent of California workers’ compensation treatment would significantly increase medical costs… [Read more]
New Washington Safety Requirements Aim to Reduce Temporary Worker Injuries
Olympia, WA – Temporary workers in construction and manufacturing are more than twice as likely as permanent workers to get seriously hurt on the job in Washington. A first-of-its-kind law, requested by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jay Inslee will help change that by protecting… [Read more]