09 Jul 2012

National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup: Powered by Larson's (7/9/2012)

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NATIONAL NEWS:

Robert Hartwig, Insurance Information Institute, Discusses Impact of ACA on Insurance Industry.

CMS Posts New MMSEA User Guide Version 3.4 (July 3, 2012).

GOP Opposes Obama’s Proposal to Place Home Care Workers Under Fair Labor Standards Act.

Employers’ CEO Plans Company Growth, Market Share Increase Nationwide.

BLS Says Industry Shifts in Hours Partially Explain Declines in Injury, Illness Rates 2003-2008.

MarketScout: Workers Comp Rates Increase 4 Percent.

AM Best to Hold Webinar on State of the State Funds.

NCCI Posts 2012 Annual Statistical Bulletin.

NIOSH Launches Webinar Series for Employers to Advance Worksite Health.

Crawford & Co. Names Vince Cole, EVP, Strategy and Performance.

STATE NEWS:

AZ: Governor Names Germaine Marks as Acting Director for Dept of Insurance.

CA: SCIF Alleges Two Doctors Submitted Bogus Workers Comp Claims.

CA: Insurance Dept Deposits $1.5M to General Fund From Settlement With Travelers.

CA: WCIRB Posts Annual Workers Comp Conference Recap.

CA: WCIRB Adds Experience Modification Calculator to Free Online Services.

CA: DIR’s Baker Says Alternative Security Program Puts $6.17B in Capital Back Into Business.

CA: DWC Posts National Drug Codes Affected by Unavailability of Fee Schedule Updates.

CA: DWC Posts Adjustment to DMEPOS Section of OMFS.

CT: Updated WCC’s Revised Medical Protocols Effective 7/1/2012.

CT: Governor Announces Resignation of Dept of Labor Commissioner.

DE: OWC Posts Updated Maximum, Minimum Benefit Rates.

FL: Limited Bandwidth WIFI Coming Soon to OJCC Offices.

FL: Remployment Services Have Transferred to DWC.

FL: DWC Sets Assessment Rate for WC Administration Trust Fund for CY 2013.

FL: DWC Sets Assessment Rate for Special Disability Trust Fund.

IL: Governor Signs SB 2885 to Enable Employers to Pool Resources to Provide Health Insurance.

IL: WC Adjusters Lacked Standing to Bring Legal Malpractice Claim Against WC Defense Attorneys.

IL: Lumbermens, American Manufacturers Ordered Into Rehabilitation.

MD: WCC Posts Revised Settlement Worksheet.

MD: IWIF Posts 2011 Annual Report.

MA: AG Settles w/Target, Wal-Mart Re Overcharging WC Insurers for Prescription Drugs.

MI: WCA Revises WC-701, Notice of Compensation Payments.

NE: Workers Comp Court Announces Retirement of Judge Ronald L. Brown.

NE: Judicial Nominating Commission Re Workers Comp Judge Applications.

NH: Dept of Labor Posts New Maximum, Minimum Benefit Rates.

NJ: Court Strikes Down Occupational Stress Claim of Former Bank Employee.

NY: SWCB Posts Rule on Requests for Venue Change.

NC: Governor Signs Bill to Crack Down on Employer Without WC Coverage.

NC: Governor, Lawmakers Agree to Amend HB 237 Re Public Record of WC Insurance.

OH: Attorney Kevin J. Cooper to Head Toledo Bar Assoc. Workers Comp Committee.

OK: WCC Addresses Compliance With Sup Ct Rule for Settlements While Petition for Review Pending.

OK: GOP Lawmakers Request Study on Workers Comp Opt Out Program.

OR: WCD Issues Temporary Rule on Attorney’s Fees Effective 7/1/2012.

RI: DWC Posts Changes to WC Hospital Rates Effective 7/1/2012.

TX: Supreme Court Denies Privileged Communication Between Employer, Insurer’s Attorney.

UT: Workers Compensation Fund CEO to Serve as Salt Lake Chamber Chairman of Board.

WA: L&I Names Elizabeth Smith as Head of Fraud Prevention.