Springfield, IL – Governor JB Pritzker recently announced several appointments to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission: Joseph Amarilio will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.* Amarilio has served as an Arbitrator on the Commission since his original appointment in 2019. Previously, Amarilio was a Partner at Elfenbaum, Evers, Amarilio and… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
CA DWC Announces Return of In-Person Hearings
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently announced that as of October 1, 2021, in-person hearings will resume at all DWC district offices except Eureka, which is now a completely virtual office, and satellite locations Bishop, Marysville, Chico and Ukiah, which will also remain virtual. In-person hearings will consist of trials, lien… [Read more]
TDI-DWC Releases Data Call Results Analysis on COVID-19 Claims
Austin, TX – To understand the impact of COVID-19 on the Texas workers’ compensation system, on June 2, 2020, The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) issued a mandatory data call with 74 selected insurance carriers, and has released an updated factsheet with results as of August 1, 2021. The Texas Department… [Read more]
VWC Announces Safe Workplace Requirements Beginning Sep 1st
Richmond, VA – During the pandemic, the Virginia Workers’ Comp Commission (VWC) has followed guidance as issued by the Governor and his Team to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and provide for a safe work environment for its Team and visitors. Recently, the Governor issued Executive Directive Number Eighteen (2021), Ensuring a Safe Work… [Read more]
Ohio BWC Receives Proposal From Governor to Expand Last Year’s Dividend
Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently requested that the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors expand the agency’s December 2020 $5 billion dividend to approximately 3,000 employers who did not originally meet eligibility requirements. The requested expansion would allow for approximately $30 million to go to the previously ineligible employers… [Read more]
FL OIR Receives Annual Workers’ Compensation Rate Filing
Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) recently received the 2022 Florida workers’ compensation rate filing by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), which proposes a statewide average premium decrease of 4.9%. The new rates would become effective January 1, 2022. As always, OIR will review the filing to ensure the… [Read more]
NCCI Releases 2021 Regulatory and Legislative Trends Report
Boca Raton, FL – Public policymakers continue to address the challenges to workers compensation due to COVID-19, according to the 2021 Regulatory and Legislative Trends Report from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). NCCI tracked COVID-19 workers compensation presumption and compensability-related legislation in approximately 30 states, the District of Columbia, and at the federal… [Read more]
CA DWC Holding Hearing on Sep 17 for Proposed Low Back Disorders Update to MTUS
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has issued a Notice of Public Hearing for a proposed evidence-based update to the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS), which can be found at California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 9792.23.5. The Zoom public hearing is scheduled for Friday, September 17, at 10 a.m. The proposed… [Read more]
Vanderhoff Named Ohio DOH Director, McCloud Returns to Lead BWC
Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently announced that Bruce T. Vanderhoff, M.D., will become the Director of the Ohio Department of Health and that Stephanie McCloud, who has been serving as Director of the Ohio Department of Health, is returning to lead the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation as Administrator. “Working together as… [Read more]
NHID Touts Stability in Workers’ Comp Market, Lowers 2022 Rates
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID) recently approved a rate proposal filed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) that will reduce voluntary loss costs by 8% on average. “Over the past several years the state has worked hard, in coordination with our state agencies, to pursue policies that promote job… [Read more]