Blog - Lastest News from Work Comp Staffing Solutions
Division Launches Update to Online Education Module for QMEs
The California Division of Workers’ Compensation launched an update to its online physician education training module that it said is strongly recommended for qualified medical evaluators and also useful for…
DWC Posts Update to Physician, Practitioner Section of Fee Schedule
The California Division of Workers’ Compensation posted an order adjusting the Official Medical Fee Schedule to adopt changes in the Medicare payment system. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services…
DWC Seeks Comments on Revised Forms
The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation is seeking comments on revisions it is considering for a handful of forms. Forms up for review include: DWC Form-101, “Program Review Report for Rejected Risk…
Newsom Signs Omnibus Bill, Vetoes Expansion of Firefighter 4850 Time
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a multifaceted bill that includes provisions addressing work comp policy cancellation notice requirements and vetoed a bill that would have given California state firefighters full-pay salary…
Court Upholds Loss of Wage Earning Capacity Award to Injured Grocery Store Clerk
The Mississippi Court of Appeals upheld an award of benefits to a grocery store clerk for her loss of wage-earning capacity from an injury to her pelvis. Case: Kroger Co. v.
Automobile Insurance Carrier Can’t Reduce Coverage to Account for Money Refunded to Comp Carrier
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled that the automobile insurance carrier for a worker killed in a traffic accident could not reduce its coverage to account for sums paid to…
Provisional Treatment Pilot Project, Hospital Payment, Formulary Rules Up for Review
Rules the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation proposed to extend the provisional treatment reimbursement approval pilot and modify hospital payment and formulary drugs are pending a “common sense” review. The pilot…
Restaurant Owner Sentenced for 5-Year Fraud Scheme
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced one of the owners and operators of a Thai barbecue restaurant chain operating in Los Angeles and San Francisco received a two-year suspended sentence…
Report: Man Arrested After Threatening SCIF Staff
The California Highway Patrol arrested a man on suspicion of making criminal threats against staff at State Compensation Insurance Fund, according to a report by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. The…
Pinnacol CEO Phil Kalin to Retire in March
Colorado-based workers’ compensation carrier Pinnacol Assurance announced Phil Kalin, president and CEO, will retire in 2022. Phil Kalin (pinnacol.com) Kalin was appointed president and CEO in November 2013 as the successor…
Employer Can Terminate Payments for Narcotic Medication for Worker who Lied About Drug Use
The Delaware Superior Court ruled that an employer was entitled to discontinue its payment for narcotic painkillers medications based on an injured worker's high use of the medication and dishonesty…
WCRI: Special Considerations Needed to Apply Lessons from Past Recessions to 2020
The propensity of the past to be prologue allows some predictions about industry trends based on prior economic downturns, but the unique nature of the 2020 recession will likely require…