Tallahassee, FL – Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis recently announced additional workers’ compensation cost reductions that will save carriers an estimated nearly $20 million in 2019, allowing carriers to help further alleviate costs on Florida businesses. These reductions are a direct result of the sound financial management of the Workers’ Compensation Administration Trust Fund (WCATF) and the Special Disability Trust Fund (SDTF), two funds that workers’ compensation…[Continue Reading]
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TX Governor Abbott Appoints Brown Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation
Austin, TX – Governor Greg Abbott recently announced his appointment of Cassie Brown as Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation at the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) for a term set to expire on February 1, 2019. TDI’s Division of Workers’ Compensation regulates the workers’ compensation system in Texas, ensuring injured workers receive the necessary benefits to quickly return to work, and that workers’ compensation costs are kept at a reasonable level for Texas employers. Cassie…[Continue Reading]
ReEmployAbility’s Mary Bennett Promoted to National Account Executive
Tampa, FL – ReEmployAbility recently announced the promotion of Mary Bennett to National Account Executive. Bennett joined the ReEmployAbility team in September 2005 and was most recently an Account Executive for the South East Region. In her new role, Bennett will help the company maintain and grow our relationships with our customers nationwide. Bennett will also collaborate with our marketing team to find innovative solutions to meet our customers’ needs and assist us in training…[Continue Reading]
Mitchell Releases Second Quarter 2018 Industry Trends Report
San Diego, CA – Mitchell recently released its Industry Trends Report (ITR) for the second quarter of 2018. The report includes a deep dive into how data analytics are now embedded into most levels of insurance organizations, presenting both challenges and opportunities. It also includes an exploration of how utilization review and precertification can help reduce unnecessary medical expenses—while also providing strong medical options for recovery. As technology becomes more deeply integrated into…[Continue Reading]
Next Level Administrators Opens Satellite Office in Sacramento, CA
Bradenton, FL – Next Level Administrators (“NLA”), a subsidiary of SUNZ Holdings, LLC and affiliate of SUNZ Insurance, recently announced the opening of its Sacramento, CA office. Terry Ramano, the Branch Manager of NLA’s new office, will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of branch operations. Ms. Ramano, under the direction of NLA’s President Andy Olwert, will direct the claim management team to deliver improved claim outcomes for injured workers and employers as well as ensuring full…[Continue Reading]
Holt Joins SFM Board of Directors
Bloomington, MN – Karen M. Holt was elected to the SFM Board of Directors at its June 11, 2018, meeting. Holt is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Wilson-McShane Corporation in Bloomington, Minnesota. Wilson-McShane administers the Minnesota Union Construction Workers Compensation Program and nearly 100 multi-employer benefit plans (known as Taft-Hartley Trust Funds). Wilson-McShane is also an SFM policyholder. Holt has more than 30 years of expertise in the benefits field…[Continue Reading]
CA Doctor Indicted in $700,000 Insurance Fraud Scheme
San Jouaqin, CA – Dr. Gary Royce Wisner was recently arraigned at the San Joaquin County Superior Court on 11 felony counts of insurance fraud for bilking insurers out of more than $700,000 for allegedly providing unnecessary and excessive medical treatment for orthopedic patients. “Dr. Wisner violated his Hippocratic Oath when he allegedly abused his patients and the workers’ compensation system to line his pockets with illegal profits,” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “When medical…[Continue Reading]
WCRI Webinar: Impact of Opioid Prescriptions on Duration of Temporary Disability
Cambridge, MA – The Workers Compensation Research Institute’s (WCRI) Dr. Bogdan Savych will host a half-hour webinar on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at 1pm ET (12pm CT, 11am MT, and 10am PT) to discuss the findings from a recently published WCRI study The Impact of Opioid Prescriptions on Duration of Temporary Disability. The webinar will address the following questions: Do opioid prescriptions increase duration of temporary disability benefits? Do longer-term opioid prescriptions increase…[Continue Reading]
KY Labor Cabinet Consultations Save Kentucky Employers $651,000 in May
Frankfort, KY – Last month, the Labor Cabinet conducted 23 free on-site visits, or “consultative surveys” for Kentucky employers – correcting 93 serious violations that could have affected up to 1,933 employees. This resulted in saving participating companies up to $651,000 in potential enforcement penalties. The Labor Cabinet’s Division of Occupational Safety & Health Education & Training, also known as KY SAFE, leads the Cabinet’s proactive efforts to create safe and healthful workplace conditions. This includes…[Continue Reading]
SAIF Board Appoints New Chair, Welcomes New Member
Salem, OR – The SAIF board of directors recently voted to elect Jeff Stone board chair and Krishna Balasubramani vice chair. Board member Jenny Ulum has served as board chair since 2014 and will remain on the board; Stone was elected vice chair in 2017. In addition, the board welcomed John Mohlis. Mohlis’s appointment to the board was approved by the Oregon State Senate in May, as part of a vote on a number of governor appointments. Stone is executive director and CEO of the Oregon Association…[Continue Reading]