Lansing, MI – AF Group recently announced two executive changes that reflect the organization’s continued growth and prominence as a top national specialty insurance carrier. Steve Cooper has been named president Third Coast Underwriters, which will be added to his current role of president of United Heartland. Cooper has more than 30 years of property-casualty… [Read more]
Top Stories
Former MN Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $100,000 in Workers’ Comp Benefits
St. Paul, MN – United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald recently announced the guilty plea of Lisa Ann Schafer for stealing $108,490.47 in federal disability benefits. Schafer, who was charged via felony information on September 24, 2019, entered her guilty plea before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. According… [Read more]
CA WCIRB Releases SB 863 Cost Monitoring Update Report
Oakland, CA – The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) recently released the latest edition of its SB 863 Cost Monitoring Update. Senate Bill (SB) No. 863 was signed into law in 2012, which increased benefits effective January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014, and provided for a number of structural changes to… [Read more]
LA Insurance Commissioner Highlights LWCC Policyholder Dividend of $187 Million
Baton Rouge, LA – Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Donelon recently noted that policyholders of Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation (LWCC) throughout the state are receiving dividend checks totaling $136 million. The payments were approved by the LWCC board in August 2019. Because LWCC is a non-profit mutual insurance company, it pays dividends to policyholders rather than to… [Read more]
US DOL Announces New Members of National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor recently selected 12 members to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH). The members, four of whom were designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), represent occupational health, occupational safety, labor, management, and public interests. The newly appointed members… [Read more]
Former LAPD Officer Charged with Workers’ Compensation Fraud
Los Angeles, CA – A former Los Angeles Police Department officer was recently arrested and charged with illegally collecting workers’ compensation insurance benefits before resigning in 2016, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today. Michael Simon was charged with two felony counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud and one felony count of grand… [Read more]
Salus Workers’ Compensation Acquires MGU & Wholesaler Method Insurance Services
Nashville, TN – Salus Workers’ Compensation, LLC, a regional managing general agent (MGA) and third-party administrator, recently announced that it has completed its acquisition of Method, LLC d/b/a Method Insurance Services, a full-service wholesaler and managing general underwriter (MGU). Method, which is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska and has field offices in Arizona and Rhode Island,… [Read more]
The RxProfessor: Does Surgical Pain Require Opioids?
By Mark Pew, Senior VP, Preferred Medical This week I want to share an article and resource about pain management alternatives. The first article is written by a former NBA star about his personal experience with opioids and alternative pain management tactics. The second is a website that helps patients research and prepare for their… [Read more]
US DOL to Hold Public Meeting on Leading Indicators for Safety & Health Programs
Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor has invited interested parties to attend a discussion on leading indicators for occupational safety and health programs. The meeting will be held on November 7, 2019, in Washington, D.C. A key component of a safety and health program is to monitor performance and progress using leading indicators… [Read more]
MA Cleaning Company Owner Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to Jail for Insurance Fraud
Woburn, MA – Massachussetts Attorney General Maura Healey recently announced that the owner of a Malden-based cleaning company pleaded guilty and was sentenced to jail in connection with an insurance fraud scheme that involved worker misclassification. Marcello Pompa of Saugus pleaded guilty on Monday to Workers Compensation Insurance Fraud (5 counts) and Larceny Over $250… [Read more]