San Francisco, CA – The California Division of Workers’ Compensation recently issued a reminder to claims administrators that the annual report of inventory (ARI) must be submitted in early 2020 for claims reported in calendar year 2019. The California Code of Regulations, title 8, Section 10104 requires claims administrators to file, by April 1 of… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
CO Workers’ Compensation Loss Cost Decreases for 2020
Denver, CO – The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), has approved a reduction of 8.5 percent for the average “loss costs” component of workers’ compensation premiums for 2020. This will be the sixth consecutive year without an increase to this key measurement. Loss costs are the average… [Read more]
CA Commissioner Lara Approves Ninth Reduction in WC Advisory Rates Since 2015
Sacramento, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara recently adopted and issued a revised average advisory pure premium rate, lowering the benchmark to $1.52 per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation insurance, effective January 1, 2020. This marks the ninth consecutive reduction to the average advisory pure premium rate benchmark since January 2015. “Reduced costs should… [Read more]
OR WCD Director Savage Appointed Acting Director of DCBS
Salem, OR – Following Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services Director, Cameron Smith’s recent resignation to explore new opportunities and ways to serve Oregon, the Governor’s office appointed Workers’ Compensation Division Administrator Lou Savage to acting director. “I am proud of the care this department provides Oregonians and local businesses,” said Lou Savage, acting… [Read more]
CT Commissioner Approves Decreases in Workers’ Comp Insurance for Sixth Straight Year
Hartford, CT – Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais recently announced that the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) has approved decreases of 2.9 percent to workers compensation pure premium loss costs and a 4.5 percent reduction in rates for assigned risk. These reductions mark a sixth consecutive year drop. “The loss costs and assigned risk rates… [Read more]
OK Workers’ Comp Commission Hires Hammonds Johnson as New General Counsel
Oklahoma City, OK – The Commissioners of the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) recently hired Lauren Hammonds Johnson as the agency’s new General Counsel effective November 1st, 2019. The General Counsel will work directly under Commissioners Mark Liotta, Jordan Russell and Megan Tilly. Chairman Liotta said, “Lauren has an impressive array of legal experience from… [Read more]
MN Governor Walz Reappoints Quinn to Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals Vacancy
St. Paul, MN – Governor Tim Walz recently announced the reappointment of Sean M. Quinn as a Judge on the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. Judge Quinn was originally appointed to this seat by Governor Dayton in April 2018. “I am honored to reappoint Judge Sean Quinn to the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of… [Read more]
WCRI Webinar to Cover Latest Research on Fee Schedules and Medical Prices
Cambridge, MA – WCRI recently announced a new webinar where the various design choices of fee schedule regulations and their impact on variation in medical prices and payments across state workers’ compensation systems will be discussed during a one-hour session on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at 1 p.m. ET. “Those who attend this webinar will… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Additional Adjustments to OMFS Inpatient Hospital Section
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently posted an order adjusting the Inpatient Hospital section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to relevant 2019 changes in the Medicare payment system as required by Labor Code section 5307.1. The order is the second Administrative Director order for the 2019… [Read more]
AK DOLWD: Significant Savings Projected for Overall Workers’ Comp System Costs
Juneau, AK – The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) has announced that recent adjustments to the Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Schedule, as recommended by the Medical Services Review Committee, will reduce workers’ compensation system costs by a projected 3.7 percent. The National Council on Compensation Insurance reviewed the 2020 medical fee schedule… [Read more]