Oakland, CA – A new California Workers’ Compensation Institute analysis finds that legislation (AB 1465) intended to increase injured workers’ access to medical care by requiring the state to create a medical provider network (CAMPN) as an alternative to private networks that render 90 percent of California workers’ compensation treatment would significantly increase medical costs… [Read more]
Top Stories
New Washington Safety Requirements Aim to Reduce Temporary Worker Injuries
Olympia, WA – Temporary workers in construction and manufacturing are more than twice as likely as permanent workers to get seriously hurt on the job in Washington. A first-of-its-kind law, requested by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jay Inslee will help change that by protecting… [Read more]
AF Group Names Nina Burnett as Director of Investigative Services
Lansing, MI – AF Group recently announced the appointment of Nina Burnett as director of Investigative Services. In her new role, Burnett will assume responsibility for Claim fraud strategies and related investigations for AF Group and its family of companies. “Our partnership with policyholders in protecting their businesses is paramount, and our investment in fraud… [Read more]
CA Farm Worker’s Medical Mistreatment Reveals Alleged $1.4 Million Workers’ Comp Fraud Scheme
Monterey, CA – Farm labor company owners and siblings Elias Perez of Greenfield, and Alejandra Perez of Soledad, were arraigned on over 20 felony counts of insurance and tax fraud after allegedly underreporting payroll by over $17 million resulting in a loss of over $1.42 million to their insurance companies. The Department of Insurance discovered… [Read more]
WCRI: CA Total Workers’ Compensation Claim Costs Mostly Stable Since 2010
Cambridge, MA – Total costs per claim with more than seven days of lost time in California have been mostly stable since 2010, according to a study published by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). In 2019, the most recent year of the study period, total costs per claim increased moderately. “The increase in total… [Read more]
ReEmployAbility Releases Annual Return-to-Work Program and Community Impact Results for 2020
Brandon, FL – ReEmployAbility recently released its annual Program Results Summary from its Transition2Work® program. The 2020 summary provides an overview of the program’s success in the areas of community impact, performance results, and injured worker outcomes through fiscal year 2020. Since 2007, ReEmployAbility’s nationwide Transition2Work program has placed injured employees at local not-for-profit organizations… [Read more]
Liberty Mutual Appoints Virna Rhodes To Lead Workers Compensation Claims
Boston, MA – Liberty Mutual Insurance recently announced it has appointed Virna Rhodes to lead its workers compensation claims organization, which managed more than 300,000 new claims in 2020, representing more than $3 billion in medical and indemnity payments. “Virna has the experience and vision needed to lead an organization that produces superior outcomes for… [Read more]
OK WCC Seeking Comments on 2020 Medical Fee Schedule
Oklahoma City, OK – In 2020, the Workers’ Compensation Commission, guided by its external consultant, FAIR Health, conducted an evaluation and update to the Medical Fee Schedule pursuant to 85A O.S. § 50(H)(14). According to the statute, the Commission is tasked with reviewing and submitting a proposed updated Fee Schedule to the Legislature every two… [Read more]
MEMIC Now Accepting Applications for Scholarship for Families of Injured Workers
Portland, ME – The MEMIC Group recently announced that it is now accepting applications for its Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship Program for children and spouses of workers who have been seriously injured on the job. MEMIC has awarded $210,000 in scholarships since 2001. As one of the fastest growing workers’ compensation insurers with eight offices… [Read more]
APCIA Urges Congress to Support Legislation to Combat Opioid Crisis
Washington, DC – The American Property Casualty Insurance Association recently released a statement in support of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health hearing entitled “An Epidemic within a Pandemic: Understanding Substance Use and Misuse in America.” Nat Wienecke, APCIA’s senior vice president of federal government relations made the following statement: “APCIA applauds… [Read more]