The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a new study, The Effects of Provider Choice Policies on Workers’ Compensation Costs. The study found nuanced evidence about how provider choice policies are related to workers’ compensation medical and indemnity costs. On one side, employees argue that
Adequacy of income benefits is one of the long-standing concerns about the performance of workers’ compensation systems. However, there is little known about whether income benefits (also known as indemnity benefits) provide adequate financial support for injured workers. According to a new study, the total
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court last week altered drastically the landscape for workers’ compensation carriers and created future uncertainties when it struck down portion of the Workers’ Compensation Act. The state’s highest court held in Protz v. WCAB (Derry Area School District) that the impairment rating
Current economic and medical trends could have a huge impact on workers’ compensation insurance in the years to come. Some of the shifts may bring positive change, and some may create serious problems for the industry. Digitization – many industries have recently made tremendous progress in
A research survey shows that in 2016 employers spent 7.6% less in workers’ compensation drug costs compared to 2015. More control over drugs such as powerful opioids, better integration with pharmacy benefits managers (PBM) and prescriber interventions are among the reasons employers spent less. Many
In WCRI conference in Boston recently, experts urged the workers’ compensation professionals and public policymakers to turn their attention to the needs of injured workers and think of themselves more as players in a broader safety net. The experts stressed the need for a
A Jefferson County Circuit Judge in the case of Nora Clower v. CVS Caremark struck down Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act on May 8. The Circuit Judge found two provisions of the Act, the $220 a week cap on benefits and the 15% cap on
The current emerging debate in the world of workers’ compensation today is whether the states should allow employers to opt out of workers’ compensation and develop their own workplace injury plans. The workers’ compensation experts all join in this debate discussing the pros and cons
A Florida workers’ compensation reform bill that responds to the outcome of recent major workers’ compensation rulings in the state passed 7-1 Monday in the Florida Senate’s Committee on Banking and insurance. The bill amends Florida’s workers’ compensation law to codify an increase in temporary
Under Georgia law, employers that have regularly in service at least three employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance in place. The flat reading of the statute seems to be very straightforward. But the question is how do you construe “three employees regularly in