San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently noted that it has been working since the start of the COVID-19 crisis to provide critical services while keeping employees safe. To that end, DWC has implemented multiple options for virtual hearings, including a call-in option on April 3 and a video option for… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
NAIC Elects 2021 Officers
Washington, DC – Members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) elected officers for 2021 today during the closing activities of its Fall 2020 National Meeting. The following officers were elected for 2021: President: Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier David Altmaier was appointed Commissioner of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) by the… [Read more]
Cal/OSHA Emergency Regulations to Protect Workers from COVID-19 in Effect
Sacramento, CA – Cal/OSHA’s emergency regulations requiring employers to protect workers from hazards related to COVID-19 are now in effect, following their approval yesterday by the Office of Administrative Law. “These are strong but achievable standards to protect workers. They also clarify what employers have to do to prevent workplace exposure to COVID-19 and stop… [Read more]
WCRI Estimates Number of Workers Covered by State COVID-19 Presumptions
Cabmridge, MA – With several states passing executive orders or laws that create a presumption of workers’ compensation coverage for certain employees who contract COVID-19, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) has conducted a series of studies using publicly available employment data to estimate the number of workers covered in each state. “These laws and… [Read more]
TN Workers’ Comp Rates to Decline for Eighth Consecutive Year in 2021
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) recently announced that workers’ compensation insurance premiums are likely to decline for most Tennessee businesses in 2021 for the eighth consecutive year. Since Tennessee’s workers’ compensation system reforms began in 2014, loss cost reductions of over 56 percent have been approved, representing substantial savings… [Read more]
CA DWC Invites Physicians, Pharmacists to Apply for Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently invited California licensed physicians (medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy) and pharmacists to submit applications to serve on the workers’ compensation Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee. The Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee advises the DWC Administrative Director on updates and improvements to the Medical Treatment Utilization… [Read more]
FL OIR Approves a 6.6% Decrease to Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Rates
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier recently issued a Final Order granting approval to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) for a statewide overall decrease of 6.6% for Florida workers’ compensation insurance rates. This applies to both new and renewal workers’ compensation insurance policies effective in Florida as of January 1, 2021.… [Read more]
WCRI: Medical Payments in CA Workers’ Comp System Show Effects of Policy Changes
Cambridge, MA – Medical payments per claim in California were typical of other states for 2016 claims with experience through 2019 (2016/2019), the effect of comprehensive reform legislation, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). In previous years, medical payments per claim in California were higher than typical. Average payments… [Read more]
WA L&I: No Increase for Average Workers’ Comp Rates in 2021
Tumwater, WA – For the first time in two decades, Washington workers’ compensation rates have dropped or stayed steady for four years in a row. The state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) today announced that there will be no increase for the average premium rate in 2021. “We’ve managed the workers’ compensation system closely,… [Read more]
CA Commissioner Lara Approves Workers’ Comp Average Advisory Pure Premium Rates
Sacramento, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has adopted and issued a revised average advisory pure premium rate, lowering the benchmark to $1.45 per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation insurance, effective January 1, 2021. This marks the tenth consecutive reduction to the average advisory pure premium rate benchmark since January 2015. Commissioner Lara did… [Read more]