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• Oregon costs to remain flat. The pure premium rate will drop by an average 1.8 percent next year after approval by the Department of Consumer and Business Services. The decision was based on a proposal from NCCI.
  To maintain critical programs, the department is proposing a 1.8 percentage point increase in the premium assessment, which funds administration of the workers' comp and workplace safety program. The department said the increase will partially offset the impact of the economic downturn on DCBS revenue. The end result for employers will mean costs in 2011 will be flat.
• Texas' new AWW reduces benefits. The weekly benefit rates for injured Texas employees has dropped slightly for the year Oct. 1, 2010, through Sept. 30, 2011. The maximum weekly benefit rates for income benefits is set at $766, down from $773 the previous year, while the minimum weekly amount is $115, down from $116.
  The state's average weekly wage is equal to 88 percent of the average weekly wage in covered employment as computed each year by the Texas Workforce Commission.
• Virginia regulators consider overall rate decrease. A hearing in late October is allowing the State Corporation Commission to consider an NCCI request for an overall decrease in premiums. However, the proposal also includes an increase in rates for the underground coal mine classification.
  If approved for the proposed April 1, 2011, effective date, rates would decrease for the following classifications:
  Industrial -- 12.4 percent.
  Federal -- 3.8 percent.
  Coal mines (surface) -- 23.5 percent.
  In the underground coal mines, rates would increase by 0.6 percent.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

November 4, 2010