Concord, CA – Athens Administrators recently released a legislative update for California, one month after California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-62-20, creating the rebuttable presumption of compensability for COVID-19 clams that meet specific criteria. The Order extends from May 6 through July 5 of this year and applies to COVID-19 claims for dates… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
VA Adopts Workplace Safety Standards for COVID-19 Pandemic
Richmond, VA – Governor Ralph Northam recently announced the adoption of statewide emergency workplace safety standards in response to the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. These first-in-the-nation safety rules will protect Virginia workers by mandating appropriate personal protective equipment, sanitation, social distancing, infectious disease preparedness and response plans, record keeping, training, and hazard communications in workplaces… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Adjustments to OMFS (Hospital Outpatient Depts/ASCs)
San Francisco, CA – The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recenlty posted an order adjusting the Hospital Outpatient Departments and Ambulatory Surgical Centers section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to changes in the Medicare payment system as required by Labor Code section 5307.1. The Hospital Outpatient Departments and Ambulatory Surgical… [Read more]
CA Labor Commissioner Files Suit Against Gig-Economy Car Wash Co for Misclassification
Los Angeles, CA – The Labor Commissioner’s Office recently announced it has filed a lawsuit against a gig-economy car wash company in Southern California for violating labor laws by misclassifying employees as independent contractors. Mobile Wash, Inc. of Bellflower misclassified at least 100 workers, harming both the workers and law-abiding businesses in the car washing… [Read more]
AZ Governor Ducey Announces Evan Daniels as Director of DIFI
Phoenix, AZ – Governor Doug Ducey recently announced the appointment of Evan Daniels as the new director of the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. Daniels currently serves as the Unit Chief Counsel of the Technology, Innovation and Privacy Unit at the Office of the Arizona Attorney General. “As an expert in state and… [Read more]
CA OSIP Adopts New Reporting Regulations Affecting Self-Insured Employers
San Francisco, CA – The Department of Industrial Relations’ Office of Self-Insurance Plans (OSIP) recently promulgated regulations that require public self-insured employers to submit reports with the information needed to evaluate the administrative cost, workers’ compensation expenditures, solvency and performance of public self-insured employer workers’ compensation programs. These regulations became effective on July 1 and… [Read more]
WCRI Report: Spending for Dermatological Drugs Increased While Compounds and Opioids Decreased
Cambridge, MA – A new FlashReport from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) recently found that dermatological drugs have become a more prominent share of prescription payments in many states. Payment shares for dermatologicals increased by more than 10 percentage points over a three-year period from the first quarter of 2016 to the first quarter… [Read more]
NYS Workers’ Comp Board Announces New Appointments to Medical Director’s Office
Albany, NY – The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board recently announced the hiring of Brian Gordon, M.D. and James A. Tacci, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., (FACOEM, FACPM), who will be joining the Board’s Medical Director’s Office. Dr. Gordon will serve as Medical Director and Dr. Tacci as the Board’s Executive Medical Policy Director. In their… [Read more]
TDI Extends Telemedicine Emergency Rule into September
Austin, TX – The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) recently announced that it is extending a requirement that insurers cover telemedicine services, including mental health visits, at the same rate as in-person visits. An emergency rule in place since March helps doctors across Texas treat their patients and limit the spread of COVID-19. “This extension… [Read more]
NH Insurance Department Cautions Insurers Regarding Opioid Overdose Reversal Prescriptions
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Insurance Department recently notified certain insurance companies of the prohibition on the use of information about a person’s access to opioid overdose reversal medications (known as opioid antagonists), when that prescription is to promote the health of someone else. New Hampshire law permits the prescription of an opioid antagonist… [Read more]