Tallahassee, FL – Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced the appointment of Attorney General Moody as Chair of Florida’s new Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse. Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As a federal prosecutor and circuit judge, I have seen how drug abuse destroys families and harms our state. When I began my campaign… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
TDI-DWC Revises Designated Doctor Performance Review Procedure
Austin, TX – The Texas Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation recently adopted a revised procedure for evaluating designated doctor performance effective immediately. The evaluation procedure provides for the review of the quality of designated doctor decisions, as required by law. The purpose of the Designated Doctor Performance Review Procedure is to establish a fair and transparent… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Adjustments to OMFS (Physician/Non-Physician Practitioner Services)
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an order adjusting the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to changes in the Medicare payment system as required by Labor Code section 5307.1. The Physician and Non-Physician Practitioner Fee Schedule update Order adopts the following Medicare changes: CMS Medicare National Physician… [Read more]
HHS Releases Additional $487 Million to Expand Opioid Treatment Access
Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released an additional $487 million to supplement first-year funding through its State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program. The awards to states and territories are part of HHS’s Five-Point Opioid Strategy and the administration’s tireless drive to combat the opioid crisis. Together with… [Read more]
Montgomery County to Receive $139K Under Ohio BWC Drug Workplace Safety Program
Columbus, OH – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud recently announced that Montgomery County will receive more than $139,000 this week under a new program by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) to help employers hire and retain workers recovering from drug addiction. BWC’s Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program… [Read more]
CWCI Study Examines Impact of California Workers’ Comp Formulary
Oakland, CA – New CWCI research shows that since California implemented its workers’ compensation formulary last year, an increasing share of drugs prescribed to injured workers are either “Exempt” from prospective utilization review (UR) or “Not Listed” in the formulary, while “Non-Exempt” drugs that require UR before they can be dispensed account for a declining… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Order Adopting Updates to Medical Treatment Guidelines
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an order adopting regulations to update the evidence-based treatment guidelines of the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS). The updates, effective for medical treatment services rendered on or after April 18, 2019, incorporate by reference the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine’s (ACOEM’s)… [Read more]
US DOL Creates Chief Data Officer Position and Establishes Data Board
Washington, DC – Earlier this year the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 was signed into law, which included the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act (OPEN Government Data Act). The OPEN Government Data Act, among other things, directs the head of each agency to “designate a nonpolitical appointee employee in the… [Read more]
Montana State Fund Reduces Workers’ Comp Premium Rates 8.6 Percent
Helena, MT – Insurance Commissioner Matt Rosendale recently released the below statement following the Montana State Fund Board of Directors’ approval of an 8.6% average reduction of workers’ comp premium rates for about 25,000 employers the fund covers: “I’m pleased to see a reduction in the State Fund’s rates after I approved the biggest loss… [Read more]
TDI-DWC Research: Texas Workers’ Comp Subscriber Rate Fell from 2016-2018
Austin, TX – The TDI-DWC’s Research and Evaluation Group recently released its report on Employer Participation in the Texas Workers’ Compensation System. In Texas, private-sector employers have been allowed the option of whether to purchase workers’ compensation insurance since 1913. Texas is the only state that allows private-sector employers the option of not purchasing workers’… [Read more]