San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) and Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) recently updated certain forms to properly allow for identifying injuries related to COVID-19. Parties are required to list body part codes when filing these forms. The forms listed below have been updated to include the new body part code… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
Tomorrow: Free One Call Webinar on COVID-19 Telerehab Regulation Changes
Jacksonville, FL – One Call has announced a new free webinar taking place tomorrow where Thomas Novelli, VP of Government Relations & Public Affairs and Susan Curley, Director of Government Relations will lead a roundtable discussing how COVID-19 has prompted regulation changes for telehealth services, specifically telerehab. COVID-19 has become a complex disruptor within the… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Adjustments to OMFS Including Expansion of Telehealth to Address COVID-19
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an order dated May 7, 2020, adjusting the Physician and Non-Physician Practitioner Services section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to additional Medicare fee schedule changes pursuant to Labor Code section 5307.1. The order includes technical updates and provisions to… [Read more]
MA AG Healey Calls on DOI to Expedite Process to Decrease WC Premiums During Covid-19 Pandemic
Boston, MA – Attorney General Maura Healey called on the state’s Division of Insurance (DOI) to take immediate steps to ensure that Massachusetts businesses pay fair workers’ compensation insurance premiums that reflect the businesses’ decreased exposure to workplace injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter sent to DOI Commissioner Gary Anderson, the AG’s Office… [Read more]
CA Gov. Newsom Announces COVID-19 Workers’ Comp Presumption for Work Outside of Home
Sacramento, CA – As California prepares to enter Stage 2 of the gradual reopening of the state, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that workers who contract COVID-19 while on the job may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation. The Governor signed an executive order that creates a time-limited rebuttable presumption for accessing workers’ compensation benefits… [Read more]
APCIA: CA Executive Order Threatens Stability of Workers’ Compensation System
Washington, DC – David A. Sampson, president and CEO of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), released the following statement regarding the new workers compensation presumption executive order, which was announced today by California Governor Gavin Newsom: “APCIA applauds the work of frontline health care workers, first responders, and many others who are helping… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Adjustment to OMFS (DMEPOS) to Adopt Medicare Increase from CARES Act
San Francisco, CA – The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an order adjusting the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule to conform to additional 2020 changes in the Medicare payment system as required by Labor Code section 5307.1. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and… [Read more]
MD IA Announces Temporary Rule Changes for Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Baltimore, MD – On March 5, 2020, Governor Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr. declared a State of Emergency for the entire State as a result of the COVID-19 virus. As a result of this event, Maryland’s business community, including small, medium and large employers, are facing unprecedented operational and financial challenges. This week, the Maryland Insurance… [Read more]
CA DWC Issues Notice of Proposed Emergency Rulemaking for Med-Legal Reporting
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently issued its Notice of Emergency Regulatory Action to address the ongoing need for medical-legal evaluations and to prevent a backlog of medical-legal evaluations resulting from stay-at-home orders throughout the state. The emergency regulations will help injured workers and employers continue to move their workers’… [Read more]
CA DWC Adds Adjustments to OMFS for Pathology and Clinical Labs (New COVID-19 Codes)
San Francisco, CA – The California Division of Workers’ Compensation recently posted an order dated April 15, 2020, adjusting the Pathology and Clinical Laboratory section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to additional changes to the 2nd Quarter 2020 Medicare update, as required by Labor Code section 5307.1 to adopt new COVID-19… [Read more]