Itasca, IL- According to National Safety Council research, 90% of America’s employers have been negatively impacted by tired employees. Forty-three percent of employees admit they may be too tired to function safely at work. With fatigue becoming an increasingly common workplace hazard, the National Safety Council is calling on all employers to implement comprehensive programs… [Read more]
Top Stories
MD Accepting Proposals to Invest in Opioid Workforce Innovation Fund
Baltimore, MD – James E. Rzepkowski, acting secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation recently announced the creation of the Opioid Workforce Innovation Fund (OWIF). Part of a $1.9 million federal grant awarded in 2018 from the U.S. Department of Labor, the OWIF will support local organizations in developing innovative solutions that… [Read more]
Employers Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2018 Results
Reno, NV – Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:EIG) recently reported the following for the fourth quarter of 2018: (i) net income of $25.6 million ($0.77 per diluted share); (ii) net income before the impact of the LPT of $23.1 million ($0.69 per diluted share); and (iii) adjusted net income of $43.6 million ($1.31 per diluted share).… [Read more]
CA Podiatrist Arrested for Alleged Inflated Billing and Kickback Scheme
Los Angeles, CA – Licensed podiatrist Schlomo Schmuel of Sherman Oaks, self-surrendered to California Department of Insurance detectives on two felony counts of fraud after allegedly inflating bills and billing for services not rendered or not medically necessary. The resulting loss to an insurer totaled more than $360,000. “This medical professional allegedly used his position… [Read more]
New WCRI Study: Higher Deductibles in Group Health May Increase Filings for Workers’ Comp
Cambridge, MA – A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examines whether employees injured at work are more likely to file under workers’ compensation instead of group health insurance when their group health plan has a higher deductible. The study has great relevance since the number of workers in health insurance plans… [Read more]
Ohio AG Yost Seeks to Recover Nearly $16M in Prescription Overcharges on Behalf of BWC
Columbus, OH – Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost recently initiated the first step in an effort to recover overcharges to the State for the cost of prescription drugs negotiated by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), beginning the process to collect nearly $16 million on behalf of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. PBMs are private companies that… [Read more]
WV Governor Justice Appoints Dodrill as State Insurance Commissioner
Charleston, WV – Gov. Jim Justice recently announced that he has appointed James A. Dodrill as West Virginia Insurance Commissioner effective March 4, 2019. Dodrill succeeds Allen McVey who was appointed earlier this year as Secretary of the Department of Administration. A graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law, Dodrill received his B.A.… [Read more]
CA Workers’ Compensation Doctor Convicted of Billing Fraud
Los Angeles, CA – A workers’ compensation doctor has pleaded guilty to two felony counts of billing fraud for selling marked-up goods to his practice from his own medical supply company over several years, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today. Under the terms of the negotiated plea agreement, Gil Tepper of Beverly… [Read more]
CWCI: NSAIDs Overtake Opioids as Top Workers’ Comp Drug Group; Dermatologicals Most Costly
Oakland, CA – A new California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) study has found that non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) have supplanted opioids as the most common therapeutic drug group prescribed to injured workers in California, while payment data show that both dermatological medications and anticonvulsants now rank ahead of opioids in terms of total reimbursements. Using data… [Read more]
Scioto County to Receive $50K Under Ohio BWC Opioid Workplace Program
Columbus, OH – A southern Ohio county received $50,000 this month under a new program by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) to help employers hire and retain workers recovering from drug addiction. Scioto County is the first county to receive funding under BWC’s Opioid Workplace Safety Program that launched in October as a… [Read more]