RALEIGH, N.C.—The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) applauds the North Carolina House of Representatives for Tuesday’s passage of HB 709, the Protect and Put North Carolina Back to Work bill. The legislation was the product of extensive negotiations between Republicans and Democrats and, if enacted, would be the first significant workers’ compensation reform… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
Illinois Passes Workers’ Comp Reform Bill: AIA Statement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Steve Schneider, Midwest region vice president for the American Insurance Association (AIA), today issued the following statement on the Illinois Legislature’s passage of HB 1698, so-called workers’ compensation reform legislation, just prior to the session’s adjournment last night. Illinois’ workers’ compensation system is one of the most expensive in the nation and… [Read more]
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Establishes First Outpatient Prescription Drug Formulary
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors has approved BWC’s first ever formulary of medications approved for the treatment of injured workers. The outpatient formulary was established to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment, limit the inappropriate use of medications and lower BWC’s prescription costs. “Formularies are an industry… [Read more]
NY Insurance Department to Hold Hearing on Proposed Workers’ Compensation Loss Cost Increase
The New York State Insurance Department will hold a public hearing on Thursday, June 23, 2011 to consider the application of the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board (NYCIRB) for a workers’ compensation loss cost increase of 10.4 percent. The approved loss cost is used by workers’ compensation insurance companies in setting rates. The hearing… [Read more]
Nevada Insurance Commissioner Approves Filing, Announces Lower WC Costs for Employers
CARSON CITY – Insurance Commissioner Brett Barratt has approved a filing for an average decrease of 3.9 percent for Nevada workers’ compensation voluntary insurance loss costs and an average decrease of 2.2 percent for workers’ compensation insurance assigned risk rates. Loss costs are the expected costs of medical and wage loss benefits including the costs… [Read more]
Washington Legislature Reaches Workers’ Comp Agreement
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire today was joined by Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, House Speaker Frank Chopp, Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt and House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt to announce an agreement on workers’ compensation. Gregoire issued the following statement on negotiations surrounding workers’ compensation reform: “This session we have made significant progress to create… [Read more]
CA Insurance Commissioner Announces Arrest of Business Owners for Work Comp Premium Fraud
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today announced that Valery Alena Thompson, 31, and her husband Earl James Thompson, 47, have been charged with one count each of violating section 11880(a) of the California Insurance Code. Valery Thompson, President and CEO for Russell/Thompson, Inc. was arrested on May 19, 2011 by authorities in Lakewood, Colorado. Her husband,… [Read more]
Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation Announces April Enforcement Actions
AUSTIN – Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation Rod Bordelon recently announced final disciplinary actions taken by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC). The final actions include orders related to violations of the Texas Labor Code and rules promulgated by the Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation. Copies of Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation orders may… [Read more]
Workers’ Comp Bill Passes Oklahoma House, Heads to Governor
OKLAHOMA CITY – The full House gave overwhelming bipartisan approval today to a sweeping overhaul of the state workers’ compensation system. “Simply put, Oklahoma is going to see injured workers get back on the job faster and with reduced medical costs thanks to the extensive reforms in this bill,” said House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee.… [Read more]
Oklahoma Senate Gives Unanimous Approval to Workers’ Comp Reform
The full Senate has given unanimous approval to legislation reforming Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system. State Senators Anthony Sykes and Patrick Anderson authored Senate Bill 878. Sykes presented the measure to the full Senate on Wednesday and said it was the result of several months of intensive work representing all entities with a stake in the… [Read more]