Columbus, OH – Governor Mike DeWine recently announced that Jillian Froment, Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance, has resigned her position to pursue other opportunities. Froment joined the department in 2011 and has served as director since 2017. “As Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance, Jillian has been an advocate for Ohio’s consumers… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
NCCI Releases Report on Impact of Fee Schedule Updates on Hospital Outpatient Services
Boca Raton, FL – NCCI released a new Insights brief on the impact of fee schedule updates on Hospital Outpatient Services (HOPs). As a cost control measure, and to ensure access to hospital services, some states have implemented fee schedules that have established maximum allowable reimbursements (MARs) and rules for HOP services in workers’ comp.… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Order to Update Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS)
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently posted an order adopting regulations to update the evidence-based treatment guidelines of the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS). The updates, effective for medical treatment services rendered on or after September 21, 2020, incorporate by reference the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine’s (ACOEM’s)… [Read more]
Ohio BWC Board Considers Governor’s $1.5 Billion Dividend Proposal, Approves More Masks
Columbus, OH – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Board of Directors will vote next month on Governor Mike DeWine’s recent proposal to send Ohio employers up to $1.5 billion in dividends to ease the impact of COVID-19 on Ohio’s economy and business community. The Board will vote on the governor’s proposal at its monthly… [Read more]
2020 NCCI Report Highlights Flurry of COVID-19 Legislative and Regulatory Actions
Boca Raton, FL – A newly released report from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) highlights activity in more than 20 states to address workers compensation presumptions of compensability in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. NCCI’s 2020 Regulatory and Legislative Trends Report provides an overview of actions by state legislatures, governors, and regulators (through… [Read more]
Sullivan to Step Down as TX Insurance Commissioner
Austin, TX – Kent Sullivan recently notified Governor Abbott that he will resign as Texas Insurance Commissioner in September to return to the private sector. Sullivan became head of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) in October 2017 and has led a major modernization effort in his three years at the agency. “Texas is grateful… [Read more]
WA Insurance Commissioner Extends Emergency Order on Telehealth
Olympia, WA – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order again, directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. His order is in effect until Sept. 15 and requires health insurers to: Continue coverage for providing telehealth via methods including telephone and video chat tools… [Read more]
CA WCIRB Governing Committee Authorizes January 1, 2021 Pure Premium Rate Filing
Oakland, CA – The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) Governing Committee recently voted to authorize the WCIRB to submit a January 1, 2021 Advisory Pure Premium Rate Filing to the California Insurance Commissioner. The filing will propose advisory pure premium rates that will be on average approximately 2.6 percent above the average… [Read more]
CA DWC Accepting Applications for Qualified Medical Evaluator Examination in October
San Francisco, CA – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has made changes to the Qualified Medical Examiner (QME) examination process. DWC will offer in-home computer-based testing (CBT) for the examination using Proctor U. Candidates who are interested in taking the CBT exam and have the minimum system requirements should… [Read more]
WI Governor’s Rx Drug Task Force Hears Challenges, Strategies from Stakeholders
Madison, WI – The Governor’s Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drug Prices recently heard how prescription drug costs have impacted some vulnerable populations and learned about some of the strategies that other states have employed to lower their costs. The task force convened via videoconference for a session focused on how the issue of drug… [Read more]