Cambridge, MA – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) recently released an updated version of its study that helps compare prices paid for medical professional services across 36 states and monitor price changes from 2008 to 2020, which includes the beginning months of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The study shows how prices paid for these services… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
CWCI Analyzes Bill to Cut Workers’ Comp Claim Investigation Times, Increase Employer Medical Liability
Oakland, CA – The California Workers’ Compensation Institute recently issued a report on SB 335, a bill that would cut the amount of time claims administrators have to investigate most job injury claims from 90 days to 45 days and increase employers’ liability for medical benefits during the investigation period by 70%, from $10,000 to… [Read more]
WCIRB: CA Commissioner Issues Decision on Sep 1, 2021 Regulatory Filing
San Francisco, CA – The California Insurance Commissioner recently issued a Decision regarding the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California’s (WCIRB’s) September 1, 2021 Regulatory Filing, which was submitted to the California Department of Insurance (CDI) on February 26, 2021. In the Decision (PDF), the Commissioner approved all of the WCIRB’s proposed changes to… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Proposed Amendments to QME Regulations Online for Public Comment
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted proposed amendments to the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) regulations to its online forum where members of the public may review and comment on the proposals. The proposed changes are necessary to bring existing regulations into compliance with amendments to the Labor Code and… [Read more]
Texas Mutual Announces Major Victory in Air Ambulance Pricing Issue
Austin, TX – The Supreme Court of the United States announced on April 26 that it will let stand a 2020 decision by the Supreme Court of Texas that limits workers’ compensation air ambulance payments to what is “fair and reasonable.” Texas Mutual has been opposing the drastic increase in air ambulance prices since 2012… [Read more]
CA DWC Posts Q&A Recordings from Medical-Legal Fee Schedule Meetings
San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently posted the recordings of the Question and Answer Meetings held by Zoom on April 13 and April 20 regarding the new Medical-Legal Fee Schedule for the workers’ compensation system. The links to the recorded sessions, which answered questions from stakeholders regarding the implementation of… [Read more]
MN Governor Walz Signs Bill Extending COVID-19 WC Presumption for Front Line Workers
St. Paul, MN – Governor Tim Walz recently signed Chapter 12, HF 2253 into law, extending workers’ compensation eligibility for emergency first responders and front-line workers, which was set to expire May 1, 2021. The bill ensures that front-line workers, including doctors and nurses, firefighters, paramedics, police, long-term care workers, home health workers, correctional officers,… [Read more]
RIMS Sets Advocacy Guidelines for Covid-19 Liability Protection Legislation
New York, NY – Understanding that a balance must exist between a business owner’s need to operate without being exposed to unreasonable liability and the rights of the general public to seek just compensation for damages unreasonably caused by businesses, RIMS, the risk management society®, has issued a statement to guide its advocacy for federal… [Read more]
CA WCIRB Governing Committee Authorizes Sep 1 Pure Premium Rate Filing
San Francisco, CA – The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) Governing Committee recently voted to authorize the WCIRB to submit a September 1, 2021 Pure Premium Rate Filing to the California Insurance Commissioner. The filing will propose advisory pure premium rates that will be on average approximately 2.7 percent above the average… [Read more]
APCIA Commends House Action to Address Intersection of Insurance and Cannabis
Washington, DC – The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) released a following statement commending the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 1996, the SAFE Banking Act. The legislation will prevent federal prosecution of and civil liability for insurance agents, brokers, and carriers, as well as their officers, directors, or employees when engaging in the… [Read more]