Newsletter Sign-up

What's being called the first significant reform legislation to the workers' comp system in a quarter of a century is halfway through the Michigan Legislature. The House passed H.B. 5002 on a vote of 59-49, largely along party lines.

The Workers' Compensation Board adopted an emergency rule regarding pharmacy and durable medical equipment fee schedules, the process for payment of pharmacy bills, and the requirements for designated pharmacies.

Many workers' comp-related companies collect data these days. But few get useful value from it, according to the head of an Internet-based workers' comp medical analytics company.

Fresh on the heels of a call for the state Legislature to target costs associated with physician-dispensed repackaged drugs, two lawmakers have proposed a cap.

Employers looking for clarification on their options following a federal OSHA inspection may want to visit the agency's website. OSHA has issued new and revised information to give employers and employees better insight into their rights and responsibilities, as well as maintaining a safe workplace.

"Large claims have a substantially different mix of medical services from that for small claims," concludes a new NCCI study. "Knowing the service composition of different size claims could be useful in forecasting cost trends for different claim size groups."

While specific strains for the 2011-12 flu season have not been identified, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are precautions that should be taken.

A study of claims data in Washington shows companies that were inspected by the state's OSHA program had a decline in compensable claims rates. Those that were issued citations had even more dramatic decreases.

While pricing overall in the property/casualty market remained generally unchanged in the third quarter, workers' comp saw modest gains, according to a survey of agents and brokers.

California Gov. Jerry Brown is getting kudos from pro-business factions for his signing and vetoing of workers' comp legislation. But they warn of escalating costs unless broad-based reforms are forthcoming.

The Compensation Rating Bureau proposed an increase of 2.3 percent to the loss costs, 2.6 percent in the overall premium level, and 2.6 percent in the overall rate level that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

The Insurance Department adopted an emergency rule.

The Workers' Compensation Division announced that on or after Oct. 1, temporary total disability benefits paid to all workers injured before July 1, 1973, have increased.

With approximately 30 million U.S. workers exposed to hazardous noise each year and up to 25,000 suffering preventable hearing loss, OSHA is looking for input from experts.

The Industrial Commission proposed rules regarding security for compensation for self-insured employers.

The latest assessment of the workers' comp line paints yet another mostly negative picture. However, the report from A.M. Best indicates there is some reason to be hopeful -- at least, for the long term.