Cambridge, MA – The factors behind trends in medical payments per claim in state workers’ compensation systems and the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on those costs are examined in a new set of studies released by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The studies, CompScope™ Medical Benchmarks, 20th Edition, examine trends in payments,… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
DE Workers’ Compensation Rates Decrease for Third Year in a Row
Dover, DE – Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro is recently announced that there will be another decrease in workers’ compensation insurance rates, effective December 1, 2019. “I am delighted to approve a decrease in workers’ compensation rates in Delaware for the third year in a row,” stated Commissioner Navarro. “These continued decreases mean significant savings… [Read more]
CA WCIRB Releases SB 863 Cost Monitoring Update Report
Oakland, CA – The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) recently released the latest edition of its SB 863 Cost Monitoring Update. Senate Bill (SB) No. 863 was signed into law in 2012, which increased benefits effective January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014, and provided for a number of structural changes to… [Read more]
US DOL Announces New Members of National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor recently selected 12 members to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH). The members, four of whom were designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), represent occupational health, occupational safety, labor, management, and public interests. The newly appointed members… [Read more]
Workers’ Compensation Rates to Decrease in Idaho for 2020
Boise, ID – A proposal for a minus (-) 6.2 percent overall rate change to Idaho workers’ compensation insurance, effective January 1, 2020, has been approved by the Idaho Department of Insurance. The proposed rate change is recommended by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). “We are pleased to announce this reduction, a move… [Read more]
US DOL Implements New Weighting System for Workplace Safety and Health Inspections
Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced that it has implemented the OSHA Weighting System (OWS) for fiscal year (FY) 2020. OWS will encourage the appropriate allocation of resources to support OSHA’s balanced approach of promoting safe and healthy workplaces, and continue to develop and support… [Read more]
US DOL Implements Opioid Safety Controls for Injured Federal Workers
Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) announced the implementation of new opioid controls to protect injured federal workers. The new controls aim to reduce the risk of long-term opioid use. The Department is committed to reducing the potential of opioid misuse among injured federal workers receiving benefits… [Read more]
OID Announces Lower Workers’ Comp Premiums for OK Employers
Oklahoma City, OK – Commissioner Glen Mulready and the Oklahoma Insurance Department recently approved a 5.1% percent decrease in workers’ compensation insurance loss costs for 2020. This will mark the ninth annual experience filing with a decrease The new loss costs go into effect on January 1, 2020. Loss costs are the average cost of… [Read more]
CWCI: California Workers Comp Benefits to Increase in 2020
Oakland, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor recently reported that California’s State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) rose 3.84013 percent in the year ending March 31, 2019, which the state Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) reports will boost temporary total disability (TTD) and permanent total disability (PTD) rates for 2020 work injury claims and other… [Read more]
CA DWC Launches Updated Online Education Module for Physicians Treating Injured Workers
San Francisco, CA -The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently launched an updated free online education course for physicians treating patients in the California workers’ compensation system. “Caring for California’s Injured Workers: Using California’s Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) 2019” is one of a series of education modules developed for medical doctors, chiropractors and nurses.… [Read more]