Washington, DC – Benefits paid to injured workers continued to decline, while covered employment and wages continued to rise, according to data in the new Workers’ Compensation Benefits, Costs, and Coverage (2017 Data) report. Produced annually by the National Academy of Social Insurance, the report provides the only comprehensive data on workers’ compensation benefits, coverage,… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
ID DOI Announces New Deputy Director Weston Trexler
Boise, ID – The Idaho Department of Insurance recently announced its new Deputy Director, Weston Trexler. Effective on September 22, 2019, Weston Trexler (Wes) became the Department’s Deputy Director. Wes was hired to the Department as the Product Review Bureau Chief-Actuary in October 2012, and he’s been instrumental in the Department’s and the Governor’s past… [Read more]
WCRI Study Examines Impact of Reforms on New York Workers’ Comp System
Cambridge, MA – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) recently released a new report for system stakeholders to track the performance of the New York workers’ compensation benefit delivery system. “Originally established to monitor the system following reforms in 2007, the report has evolved into a tool for tracking key metrics of system performance on… [Read more]
FL OIR Orders Larger Workers’ Comp Insurance Rate Decrease for 2020
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier recently issued an Order on Rate Filing to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) requesting an amended filing to reduce workers’ compensation rates by 7.5 percent for 2020. The Order notifies NCCI that the rate filing submitted for a 5.4% rate decrease has been disapproved and,… [Read more]
WI Governor Evers Announces Appointments to Task Force on Reducing Rx Drug Prices
Madison, WI – Gov. Tony Evers recently announced appointments to serve on the Governor’s Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drug Prices. The task force was created through Executive Order #39 and is charged with making recommendations for reducing prescription drug prices in Wisconsin. The work of the task force will involve gathering and analyzing data… [Read more]
Loretta Lopez Appointed Director of New Mexico Workers’ Comp Administration
Albuquerque, NM – Loretta Lopez has been appointed director of the New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration (WCA). Lopez was most recently deputy director of the Risk Management at the state’s General Services Department. She is the first woman appointed to head the WCA. Lopez holds both nursing and legal degrees, earning a bachelor’s degree in… [Read more]
KY Gov. Bevin Makes Appointments to Pharmacy and Therapeutics Advisory Committee
Frankfort, KY – Gov. Matt Bevin recently made the announcement that Holly Kellam McCoy, Neal J. Moser and Charles Robert Oliver have been appointed as members of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Advisory Committee. Dr. Holly Kellam McCoy, of Bardstown, is a physician. She will represent the Speaker of the House of Representatives and serve for… [Read more]
FL OIR Commissioner Altmaier Appoints Communications Director
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier recently announced the appointment of Alexis Bakofsky as Communications Director for the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) effective Monday, October 21, 2019. “Alexis brings a wealth of experience to the communications team and we look forward to working with her to enhance OIR’s communications efforts,” said Insurance… [Read more]
TDI-DWC Research & Evaluation Group Releases 2019 Formulary Update
Austin, TX – The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) first implemented a pharmacy closed formulary to manage drug prescriptions to injured employees in 2011. The closed pharmacy formulary includes all FDA-approved drugs, except investigational and experimental drugs. It excludes drugs listed as N-drugs (or “not recommended” drugs) and compounded drugs. The… [Read more]
DEA Announces Additional Regulatory Steps to Address Opioid Epidemic
Washington, DC – The Drug Enforcement Administration recently announced proposed regulations to improve DEA’s ability to oversee the production of dangerous drugs at the height of the national opioid crisis. This proposed regulation would further limit excess quantities of medications that might be vulnerable to diversion for illicit distribution and use. The proposal published today… [Read more]