San Francisco, CA – The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) posted a progress report today on the department’s Independent Bill Review (IBR) program. IBR is a process used to resolve billing disputes for medical treatment and medical-legal services provided to injured workers. The “2018 Independent Bill Review (IBR)… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
Nancy Leppink Named Commissioner of MN Department of Labor and Industry
St. Paul, MN – The Walz-Flanagan Administration recently announced Nancy Leppink as the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s (DLI’s) commissioner-designee. Leppink previously represented DLI as an assistant attorney general and then worked as the agency’s general counsel from 1999 to 2009. After 24 years in state service, she was appointed by the Obama Administration… [Read more]
FL Governor DeSantis Forms Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse
Sanford, FL – Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that he will sign an executive order continuing his efforts to address Florida’s substance abuse crisis and opioid epidemic. Joining the Governor at the announcement were Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Department of Children and Families Secretary (DCF) Chad Poppell. “Substance abuse is… [Read more]
PA Insurance Commissioner Approves Loss-Cost Reduction for Workers’ Comp Insurance
Harrisburg, PA – Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman recently announced the approval of a loss-cost filing, including a 12.95 percent reduction in loss-costs – a component in determining workers’ comp insurance rates paid by businesses. This reduction should lead to lower premiums for many Pennsylvania businesses. This loss-cost filing was recommended by the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating… [Read more]
FL AG Moody Appointed Chair of Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse
Tallahassee, FL – Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced the appointment of Attorney General Moody as Chair of Florida’s new Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse. Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As a federal prosecutor and circuit judge, I have seen how drug abuse destroys families and harms our state. When I began my campaign… [Read more]
TDI-DWC Revises Designated Doctor Performance Review Procedure
Austin, TX – The Texas Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation recently adopted a revised procedure for evaluating designated doctor performance effective immediately. The evaluation procedure provides for the review of the quality of designated doctor decisions, as required by law. The purpose of the Designated Doctor Performance Review Procedure is to establish a fair and transparent… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Adjustments to OMFS (Physician/Non-Physician Practitioner Services)
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an order adjusting the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to changes in the Medicare payment system as required by Labor Code section 5307.1. The Physician and Non-Physician Practitioner Fee Schedule update Order adopts the following Medicare changes: CMS Medicare National Physician… [Read more]
HHS Releases Additional $487 Million to Expand Opioid Treatment Access
Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released an additional $487 million to supplement first-year funding through its State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program. The awards to states and territories are part of HHS’s Five-Point Opioid Strategy and the administration’s tireless drive to combat the opioid crisis. Together with… [Read more]
Montgomery County to Receive $139K Under Ohio BWC Drug Workplace Safety Program
Columbus, OH – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud recently announced that Montgomery County will receive more than $139,000 this week under a new program by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) to help employers hire and retain workers recovering from drug addiction. BWC’s Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program… [Read more]
CWCI Study Examines Impact of California Workers’ Comp Formulary
Oakland, CA – New CWCI research shows that since California implemented its workers’ compensation formulary last year, an increasing share of drugs prescribed to injured workers are either “Exempt” from prospective utilization review (UR) or “Not Listed” in the formulary, while “Non-Exempt” drugs that require UR before they can be dispensed account for a declining… [Read more]