Springfield, IL – Governor JB Pritzker recently announced the following appointments to the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission: Joseph Amarilio will serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Amarilio currently works as a partner at Elfenbaum, Evers, Amarilio and Zielinska, representing injured workers and their families. In addition, he has worked as an attorney… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
CA DWC Independent Medical Review Report Details Steady Activity and Outcomes
San Francisco, CA – The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently posted a progress report on the Department’s Independent Medical Review (IMR) program. IMR is the medical dispute resolution process for the state’s workers’ compensation system that uses medical expertise to obtain consistent, evidence-based decisions. The report describes… [Read more]
WA L&I: Workers’ Comp Prices Decreasing for Third Consecutive Year
Tumwater, WA – For the third year in a row, the price of workers’ compensation insurance is dropping in Washington, with the Department of Labor & Industries’ (L&I) announcement of a 0.8% decrease in the average amount employers will pay for the coverage in 2020. L&I cut rates by 5% in 2019 and 2.5% in… [Read more]
WCRI: Policy Choices Affecting Medical Payments for Different Providers in FL
Cambridge, MA – Medical payments per claim in Florida have been typical of other states for workers’ compensation claims with more than seven days of lost time; however, this result masks several offsetting factors mainly related to fee regulations, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The study, CompScope™ Medical… [Read more]
FL OIR Approves 7.5% Decrease to Florida’s Workers’ Comp Insurance 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 7.5% for Florida workers’ compensation insurance rates. This applies to both new and renewal workers’ compensation insurance policies effective in Florida as of January 1, 2020.… [Read more]
LA Commissioner Donelon Approves Workers’ Compensation Rate Decrease
Baton Rouge, LA – Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Donelon recently approved the annual loss cost filing of the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) effective May 1, 2020. The filing reduces Workers Compensation rates -8.4% and continues the downward trend of the last six years. “This reduction is more welcome news for Louisiana businesses and individuals… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Reminder for Submission of Annual Report of Inventory for 2019 Claims
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]
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]