The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted two annual reports to its Web site. The Audit Unit’s annual report and the ethics advisory committee’s annual report are now available on line. The Audit Unit’s 2010 annual report provides information on how claims administrators audited by the DWC in 2009 performed and includes a ranking… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
PCI President and CEO David Sampson Responds to State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON – David A. Sampson, president and chief executive officer of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) issued the following statement on President Obama’s State of the Union address: “I am pleased that President Obama repeated his call for more efficient and streamlined regulation in his State of the Union address. Our nation’s… [Read more]
US Labor Department’s OSHA Temporarily Withdraws Proposed Column for Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders, reaches out to Small Businesses
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has temporarily withdrawn from review by the Office of Management and Budget its proposal to restore a column for work-related musculoskeletal disorders on employer injury and illness logs. The agency has taken this action to seek greater input from… [Read more]
NAIC Names 2011 Committee Leadership
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has named its 2011 committee chairs and vice chairs. “The diverse expertise of our membership is evident in this year’s committee leadership,” said Susan E. Voss, NAIC President and Iowa Insurance Commissioner. “I look forward to working with our members this year on the critical… [Read more]
Missouri Business Leaders Urge Tort, Workers’ Comp, Employment Law Reforms
(Insurance Journal) Business leaders in Missouri are asking state lawmakers for reforms that they say will help protect and create jobs. Among the priorities, which proponents are calling “Fix the Six,” are bottom-line issues for Missouri employers: employment law reform, workers’ compensation reform, tort reform, unemployment insurance reform, franchise tax cap… SOURCE: Insurance Journal Read… [Read more]
Nevada Lowers Workers’ Comp Costs 3.9%
(Insurance Journal) – Nevada 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… SOURCE:… [Read more]
Montana’s Insurance Commissioner Requests Authority to Review Premium Rate Increases
January 18, 2011 – Monica Lindeen, Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, today requested authority to review health insurance premium rate increases in a bill proposed by her agency and heard in the House Business and Labor Committee. “Ensuring Montana families and small businesses are not being overcharged for premiums cannot be accomplished without authority… [Read more]
Senator Collins Shines Light on Federal Workers’ Comp Waste
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has called for a thorough review of the program that provides federal employees with protection against loss of income from work-related injuries. The Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA) pays benefits to roughly 49,000 federal employees to ensure that injured… [Read more]
Washington Governor Wants to Reform Workers’ Comp
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed several changes to the state’s workers’ compensation system to help the state out of the recession and support the vitality of businesses. The proposed changes she estimates would save the workers’ compensation system $720 million over four years. Of that $720 million, the following would save $560 million… SOURCE:… [Read more]
Jopari: New California Medical Bill Regulations Require Fast Action
CONCORD, CA—New California electronic medical billing regulations and revised paper medical billing requirements were released January 6th for public comment by California’s Division of Workers Compensation (DWC). The regulations, part of the Division’s 12-point plan to help control medical costs in California’s workers’ compensation system, will be signed into law in approximately 60 days. California… [Read more]