Austin, TX – The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) recently applauded the introduction of S. 131 and H.R. 618, the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act, in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives by Sens. Brown (D-OH) and Collins (R-ME) and Reps. Walberg (R-MI) and Courtney (D-CT). Today,… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
Ohio BWC Board of Directors Considering an 8% Rate Reduction
Columbus, OH – Ohio’s private employers would pay nearly $90 million less in premiums next fiscal year due to an 8% rate reduction proposed to the agency’s Board of Directors. If approved in February, the reduction would take effect July 1, 2023. “We are eager to once again lower rates for Ohio employers,” Administrator Logue… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Revised Adjustment to Official Medical Fee Schedule (Ambulance Services)
San Francisco, CA – The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) issued an order dated November 28, 2022 adjusting the Ambulance Services section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to Calendar Year 2023 changes in the Medicare payment system as required by Labor Code section 5307.1. Thereafter, on January 9, 2023, the… [Read more]
VT Workers’ Comp Insurance Rates to Decrease for 7th Year in a Row
Montpelier, VT – Governor Phil Scott and Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) Commissioner Kevin Gaffney recently announced that Vermont businesses will see another rate decrease in workers’ compensation insurance in 2023. This will mark the seventh consecutive year for such cuts. The rate reduction, which takes effect April 1, will save Vermont employers more than… [Read more]
CA DWC to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to QME Regulations
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has issued a notice of a public hearing for proposed amendments to the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) Regulations. The proposed changes are necessary to bring existing regulations into compliance with amendments to the Labor Code, and to clarify the Administrative Director’s authority with respect to the… [Read more]
DOL Announces Annual Adjustments to OSHA Civil Penalties for 2023
Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced changes to Occupational Safety and Health Administration civil penalty amounts based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2023. In 2015, Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act to advance the effectiveness of civil monetary penalties and to maintain their deterrent effect. Under the Act,… [Read more]
DOL Seeks Nominations for Membership to NACOSH
Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is seeking nominations to fill six membership vacancies on the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health. The 12-member group advises the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters related to administering the Occupational Safety and… [Read more]
Ohio BWC Notes 5th Lowest Workers’ Comp Rates in Nation
Columbus, OH – The 2022 Oregon Workers’ Compensation Premium Rate Ranking Summary results were released in late November. The study found the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) had the 5th lowest workers’ compensation premium rates among all states and Washington, D.C. through Jan. 1, 2022. This 5th place ranking is an improvement from 12th… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Reminder for Annual Report of Inventory for Claims Reported in CY 2022
San Francisco, CA – The California DWC recently reminded claims administrators that the Annual Report of Inventory (ARI) must be submitted in early 2023 for claims reported in calendar year 2022. The California Code of Regulations, title 8, Section 10104 requires claims administrators to file, by April 1 of each year, an ARI with the Division of… [Read more]
CWCI: New California Workers’ Comp Medical Mileage Rate
Oakland, CA – The mileage rate that workers’ comp claims administrators pay injured workers for travel related to medical treatment or evaluation of their injuries will increase from 62.5¢ per mile to 65.5¢ per mile for travel on or after January 1, 2023, regardless of the date of injury. The old rate of 62.5¢ per… [Read more]