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Treating chronic pain with opioids is not only expensive it may actually be making the injured worker worse. Instead, low-tech remedies combined with other therapies are helping patients at a group of California facilities to lessen and, in some cases, eliminate their pain.

Frequency continues to decrease while severity is still increasing, according to the latest figures from the National Council on Compensation Insurance. The analysis of countrywide claims valued as of Dec. 31, 2009, points to recession-driven statistics, according to experts.

In an effort to attract business, Oklahoma lawmakers are considering a proposal that would give employers a choice of whether to participate in the workers' comp system. If approved, Oklahoma would be only the second state after Texas.

With injuries to workers in the health care industry already well-documented, now comes a new study. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is examining the effects of chemical agents with an eye on safety practices.

The Division of Workers' Compensation announced enhancements to the proof of coverage database.

Pennsylvania has joined the ranks of states targeting employers that misclassify employees to avoid paying workers' comp and other benefits and taxes.

Concerns among small businesses have prompted OSHA to hold off implementing a column to record work-related musculoskeletal disorders, at least for the time being. The federal agency said it will reach out to small businesses and get their input on the impact of the plan.

Employers will see an overall decrease of 12.4 percent in voluntary loss costs after a ruling by the Virginia State Corporation Commission Bureau of Insurance.

The Department of Labor and Industries amended a rule changing the tables of classification base premium rates, experience rating plan parameters, experience modification factor calculation limitations and retrospective rating plan size groupings for the workers' compensation insurance program for the calendar year 2011.

Missouri

The Secretary of State proposed a new rule regarding applications for workers' compensation exemptions.

The Division of Workers' Compensation proposed to adopt standardized paper medical treatment billing forms and electronic medical billing standards.

The Division of Workers' Compensation issued a memorandum to health care providers and insurance carriers stating that it posted a listing of status "N" drugs published in the official disability guidelines.

Return-to-work rates have improved in California since the enactment of reforms. However, it's unclear how much, if any, impact the reforms actually had on RTW, according to a new study.

Workers in retail, product manufacturing, and service supplies are the target of an effort to improve safety and health, thanks to an agreement announced in January.