Harrisburg, PA – Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman and Labor & Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak recently announced agreements with two insurers and the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau (PCRB) to protect Pennsylvania businesses and lessen the chances of errors in the filing of loss costs, which help determine the rates businesses pay for workers compensation insurance. The… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
Attorney Generals Assoc Urges Congress to Remove Federal Barriers to Treating Opioid Use Disorder
Washington, DC – The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) recently sent a letter to congressional leadership in both chambers, asking for the removal of federal barriers that are currently preventing health care providers from offering treatment for opioid use disorder. Opioid use disorder is the physical and psychological reliance on opioids. Symptoms of opioid… [Read more]
NCCI Releases 2019 Regulatory and Legislative Trends Report
Boca Raton, FL – The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) recently released its 2019 Regulatory and Legislative Trends Report. The resource for workers compensation industry stakeholders provides an overview of key legislative, regulatory, judicial, and other developments. The publication is released annually to align with the legislative cycle, and includes the latest countrywide, regional,… [Read more]
CA CHSWC Report: Frequency & Economic Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders for Firefighters
Oakland, CA – The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC) recently released and posted on its website for public comment the working paper, “The Frequency and Economic Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders for California Firefighters.” This study by RAND updates the analyses from an earlier 2010 RAND study and considers the impacts of… [Read more]
WI Workers’ Compensation Rates Decrease for Fourth Consecutive Year
Madison, WI – Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance Mark Afable recently approved an overall 8.84 percent decrease in Worker’s Compensation premium rates, effective Oct. 1, 2019. The reduction is expected to save Wisconsin businesses more than $170 million in 2020. This is the fourth consecutive year Worker’s Compensation rates have declined in Wisconsin. The overall rates… [Read more]
September 11th Victim Fund to End Award Reductions Following Permanent Authorization
Washington, DC – The President recently signed into law H.R. 1327, The Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) (VCF Permanent Authorization Act). The Act extends the VCF’s claim filing deadline from Dec. 18, 2020, to Oct. 1, 2090, and appropriates… [Read more]
Ohio BWC Budget Focuses on Opioid Recovery, Workplace Safety Efforts
Columbus, OH – Governor Mike DeWine recently signed the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) biennial budget into law, providing $15 million to assist employers in hiring, managing, and retaining workers in recovery. BWC’s Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program will add nine Ohio counties to the three (Montgomery, Scioto, and Ross) already participating… [Read more]
FDA Approves First Generics of Lyrica
Silver Spring, MD – On July 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved multiple applications for first generics of Lyrica (pregabalin) for the management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, for the management of postherpetic neuralgia, as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial onset seizures in patients 17 years of… [Read more]
WV Commissioner: Proposed Workers’ Comp Premium Reduction Would Save Employers Millions
Charleston, WV – The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), West Virginia’s rating and statistical agent, has filed a proposed workers’ compensation loss cost decrease of 1.6% effective November 1, 2019. This premium reduction results in a projected $3 million in savings to West Virginia employers. Since the workers’ compensation program was privatized in 2006,… [Read more]
CA DWC Medical Unit Accepting Applications for QME Examination on October 19
San Francisco, CA – The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is now accepting applications for the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) examination on October 19th. QMEs are independent physicians certified by the DWC Medical Unit to conduct medical evaluations of injured workers. Applicants may also contact the Medical Unit at 510-286-3700 to request an application… [Read more]