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Businesses are seeing their workers' comp rates increase an average of 14.6 percent with those in the residual market up by 19 percent.

Closing unnecessary funds, establishing a bonding program, and creating a pass-through assessment process are among the ideas New York's governor is endorsing. Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined the proposed changes in his State of the State plan.

Loss costs are increasing in 22 jurisdictions in the filing cycle that started last July 1 in states in which NCCI is the rate-making bureau.

The Workers' Compensation Commission announced the medical fee schedule rates.

An attendee at the recent National Workers' Compensation and Disability ConferenceŽ & Expo observed that "there were a plethora of private equity folks and related people circulating around the exhibit floor and attending sessions."

Five occupations accounted for nearly 20 percent of the days away from work cases in 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Musculoskeletal disorder cases were also prevalent in three of those occupations.

"Investigate and take a position on approaches to curb escalating opioid-related insurance costs" is among the charges adopted by a panel of state lawmakers.

"I look forward to working with Florida's policymakers during the upcoming legislative session to address cost drivers in the system." With that, the state's insurance commissioner gave his intention to approve a 6.1 percent increase in workers' comp rates.

Unemployment in Massachusetts was less severe than the national trend during the recession. That may have been a key factor in workers' comp-related data, according to new research.

Net written premiums and rates/loss costs are expected to be up while the combined ratio is expected to decrease, according to NCCI.

Employers can take a better and more effective health management approach by focusing on total workforce and total population health management rather than on a limited set of strategies for specific diseases, says Thomas Parry, president of Integrated Benefits Institute.

Rather than shifting more health care costs to employees or focusing on a limited set of disease-specific strategies, taking a population health management tactic may result in better outcomes and a better bottom line.

A proposal to increase workers' comp loss costs by 38.3 percent in the voluntary market and 43.5 percent in the residual market rate has prompted the Delaware Insurance Department to seek additional input.

Progressive Medical is taking its data analytics program that identifies potentially high-cost, high-risk opioid claims to the next level.

Employers and injured workers are seeing some benefits from legislative reforms, according to a new study. More significant changes may be several years off.

The marriage of art and science is helping companies identify and intervene in claims involving opioids (and other prescriptions) that are likely to turn into high-cost, chronic cases with the potential for medication misuse and/or abuse.

"It is quite clear that even today, most bill review systems are not fully and seamlessly connected with medical management -- utilization review, precertification, case management, etc.," wrote Joseph Paduda.

The State Corporation Commission scheduled a hearing on Oct. 16 to consider a request filed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance to adjust the premium levels charged for workers' compensation insurance.

A state insurance trade association credits legislative reforms for the "state with the most improvement in premium costs since 2010."

Lost costs in Indiana's workers' comp system will increase by 4.3 percent in January. The Indiana Department of Insurance approved the increase, which results in a 5 percent hike in the overall premium level and the overall rate level.