Augusta, ME – The Maine Department of Labor recently announced the hiring of Daniel Bolduc as Director of the Bureau of Labor Standards. He is replacing Pamela Megathlin, who left the department in 2017 for a new opportunity. Bolduc joins the Department with more than 30 years of work in the private sector as both… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
CA DWC Issues Notice of Public Hearing for Proposed Evidence-Based Updates to MTUS
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has issued a notice of public hearing for proposed evidence-based updates to the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS), which can be found at California Code of Regulations, title 8, sections 9792.22 and 9792.24.5. The public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 18 at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the Elihu Harris Building, 1515 Clay Street, Oakland. Members of the public may review and comment on the proposed updates…[Continue Reading]
John Elias Begins Term as New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner
Concord, NH – John Elias recently began his five year term as Commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department. He was nominated by Governor Chris T. Sununu and unanimously approved by the New Hampshire Executive Council in May. “I am honored to be trusted with this responsibility,” said Commissioner John Elias. “I am excited to get started working in this new role on behalf of New Hampshire.” Elias’s priorities as commissioner include regulatory modernization, operational efficiency…[Continue Reading]
VT Attorney General Releases Marijuana Law Guidance For Employers
Montpelier, VT – Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan recently released guidance aimed at assisting employers in navigating Vermont’s new recreational marijuana law. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2018. The guidance, entitled Guide to Vermont’s Laws on Marijuana in the Workplace, provides employers with an overview of the changes to Vermont’s marijuana laws, and summarizes existing employment laws relating to drugs in the workplace. This employer guidance is part of the…[Continue Reading]
CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Additional Workers’ Comp Cost Reductions for FL Businesses
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis recently announced additional workers’ compensation cost reductions that will save carriers an estimated nearly $20 million in 2019, allowing carriers to help further alleviate costs on Florida businesses. These reductions are a direct result of the sound financial management of the Workers’ Compensation Administration Trust Fund (WCATF) and the Special Disability Trust Fund (SDTF), two funds that workers’ compensation…[Continue Reading]
TX Governor Abbott Appoints Brown Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation
Austin, TX – Governor Greg Abbott recently announced his appointment of Cassie Brown as Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation at the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) for a term set to expire on February 1, 2019. TDI’s Division of Workers’ Compensation regulates the workers’ compensation system in Texas, ensuring injured workers receive the necessary benefits to quickly return to work, and that workers’ compensation costs are kept at a reasonable level for Texas employers. Cassie…[Continue Reading]
Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission Hires General Counsel
Oklahoma City, OK – In a special public meeting, the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission voted unanimously to hire Sarah Greenwaltas the agency’s new General Counsel. The General Counsel will act as a legal advisor to the three commissioners of the WCC. Ms. Greenwalt’s employment will begin June 25th, 2018. She will report directly to Commissioners Mark Liotta, Jordan Russell and Megan Tilly. Chairman Liotta said, “Sarah Greenwalt brings a broad mix of governmental legal…[Continue Reading]
NYS WCB Proposes New Medical Fee Schedule to Improve Access and Medical Care for Injured Workers
Albany, NY – The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board recently released a proposed increase in medical reimbursement to providers who treat workers’ compensation patients. The new, proposed medical fee schedule includes an overall fee increase for all provider types, as well as additional increases for certain specialty provider groups to potentially raise the number of authorized providers for injured workers. The proposed changes to the Medical Fee Schedule were published in the State…[Continue Reading]
CA Commissioner: Workers’ Comp Costs Continue to Decline, Employers Not Seeing Equivalent Premium Savings
Sacramento, CA – Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones recently adopted and issued a revised workers’ compensation insurance advisory pure premium rate, lowering the benchmark to $1.74 per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation insurance, effective July 1, 2018. Commissioner Jones has reduced the benchmark rate by 36.5 percent since January 2015, when the average pure premium rate was $2.74 per $100 of payroll. With an average filed pure premium rate of $2.22 per $100 of payroll as of…[Continue Reading]
WCRI: FL Workers’ Compensation Costs per Claim Grew Moderately From 2011 to 2016
Cambridge, MA – The average total cost per workers’ compensation claim in Florida has grown moderately in recent years, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). All of the key components of total costs per claim experienced moderate increases from 2011 to 2016 in Florida. “Medical payments per claim, indemnity benefits per claim, and benefit delivery expenses per claim in Florida all grew moderately at 3 to 5 percent per year during this period,” said Ramona…[Continue Reading]