National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Powered by Larson's (9/30/2013)

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NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS:

US DOL Posts Final Rule re Byrd Amendments to Black Lung Benefits Act.

White House Delays Small Business Implementation of Affordable Care Act.

CMS Posts Interim Final Rule re Web Portal Required by SMART Act.

NICB Reports Questionable WC Claims Increasing.

GAO Reports $3.7B in US Postal Workers Comp Costs for FY 2012.

AL: NCCI Recommends 3.3% Increase for Loss Cost Filing.

CA: DWC Issues 15-Day Notice re Proposed Changes to UR-IMR Rules.

CA: WCAB Issues Final Rules Eff. 10-23-2013.

CA: WCIRB Reports 21% Increase in Written Premium for 1st Half of 2013.

CA: CDI to Hold Hearing Oct. 28 on WCIRB Pure Premium Rate Filing.

CA: Most Pro-Athlete Injury Claims Filed by Athletes With Short-Lived Careers.

CA: Governor Signs SB 251 Electronic Transmission of WC Insurance Notices.

CA: Governor Signs Domestic Worker Bill of Rights.

CA: Governor Signs SB 670 Limits on Prescribing of Controlled Substances.

CA: Governor Signs SB 809 CURES Controlled Substance Monitoring.

CA: Governor Vetoes SB 62 Coroner Reporting of Prescription Drug Misuse.

CT: NCCI Files 3.2% Increase in WC Loss Costs.

CT: High Court Rules Severance Claim Didn't Settle WC Claim.

DE: Rating Bureau to File 40% Increase in WC Rates Despite Reforms.

DE: Lawmakers, Business Groups Question Rating Bureau's Rate Filing.

FL: Court Skirts Constitutionality Issue Re: 2 year Limit on TD Benefits.

HI: NCCI Recommends 6.2% Increase in Loss Cost Filing.

IA: DWC Announces $5.8M Assessment for Second Injury Fund.

KS: NCCI Recommends 0.9% Increase in Loss Cost Filing.

KY: DWC Schedules Oct.10 Meeting re Proposed Physician Fee Schedule.

MD: IWIF Changes Name, Structure to Private, Not for Profit, Eff. Oct. 1.

MA: LexisNexis Author Deborah Kohl Recognized by Best Lawyers for 2014.

NY: WCB Announces Business Process Reengineering Stakeholder Outreach Events.

OH: BWC CEO Holds Business Roundtable re WC Premiums.

OR: WCD Posts Compensable Fatality Report Update 2012.

OR: WCD Revises Proposed Rules re Medical Fee and Payment.

OR: WCD Revises Proposed Rules re Self-Insureds Reporting Requirements.

OR: WCD Revises Proposed Rules re Medical Services.

OR: WCD Revises Proposed Rules re Managed Care Organizations.

OR: WCD Revises Proposed Rules re Vocational Assistance to IWs.

OR: WCD Updates Reimbursement Rates for Travel/Food/Lodging Costs.

RI: DLT Proposes Use of RBRVS in Fee Schedule.

TX: DWC Posts New Maximum Benefit Rates.

TX: DWC Posts 4Q Interest, Discount Rate.

WV: Worker's Claimed Injury From Forklift "Bumpy Ride" Denied.

WV: Benefits Awarded to Upper Big Branch Worker Who Assisted With Rescue.