Things you should know

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Database of EPA-approved disinfectants for COVID-19 pandemic available via app

The Environmental Protection Agency has released its List N Tool, a new web-based application (app) that allows smartphone users and others to quickly identify disinfectant products that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

States without fee schedules pay more

The Workers’ Compensation Research Institute’s (WCRI) medical price index study found states with no workers’ compensation fee schedule pay higher prices for professional services. In states without fee schedules, including Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, prices paid for professional services were between 42% and 174% higher than the median of study states with fee schedules.

Similarly, outpatient hospital payments are higher and growing at a faster rate in states without fee schedules. Comparing hospital payments from a group of common workers’ comp outpatient surgeries in 36 states from 2005 to 2018, WCRI researchers found that states that paid a percentage of charge versus a fixed-amount fee schedule paid as much as 168% more per surgical episode than the median of study states with flat-rate fee schedules in 2018.

Top 10 private industry occupations with the largest number of injuries and illnesses, 2018

The Insurance Information Institute released its list of the top ten private industry occupations with the largest number of injuries and illnesses. It may surprise you that retail salespeople and registered nurses had more injuries than construction laborers.

FMCSA final rule amends trucker hours-of-service regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has unveiled a highly anticipated final rule the agency claims will add flexibility to hours-of-service regulations for commercial truck drivers.

CMS releases new WCMSA reference guide

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its latest version of the WCMSA reference guide version 3.1 (May 11, 2020). The link to the CDC life table has been updated to the current CDC life table (2017) CMS has been using as of April 25, 2020, to calculate an injured worker’s life expectancy for Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside. It should only result in minor differences.

Electrical safety group creates infographic for people working from home

Aiming to promote electrical safety among people who are working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Electrical Safety Foundation International has published an infographic.

“Dirty Dozen” list of 12 most egregious employers focuses on coronavirus response

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) releases the report each year and this year focused on companies and organizations that allegedly are failing at preventing their employees from exposure to the novel coronavirus.

Updated COBRA Model Notice issued

On May 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) issued revised COBRA model notices (both the general notice and the election notice), along with brief Frequently Asked Questions related to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

State News

California

  • Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued an order requiring insurers to provide an adjustment to the premium in the form of a premium credit, reduction, return of premium, or other adjustment as soon as possible and no later than Aug. 11, 2020. The order covers insurance lines including workers’ compensation, commercial automobile, commercial liability, commercial multiperil, medical malpractice, and any other insurance line where the risk of loss has fallen substantially as a result of the pandemic.
  • The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) and Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) continue to expand the hearing schedule.
  • There was an 11.3% drop in workers’ compensation independent medical review letters in 2019 when compared with 2018, according to a report issued by the Workers’ Compensation Institute.

Georgia

Illinois

Massachusetts

  • Attorney General Maura Healey called on the state’s Division of Insurance (DOI) to take immediate steps to ensure that businesses pay fair workers’ compensation insurance premiums that reflect the businesses’ decreased exposure to workplace injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan

  • Pursuant to the Governor’s latest Executive Orders, the Workers’ Disability Compensation Board of Magistrates’ hearing schedule has been updated.

North Carolina

  • Furloughed employees who are paid will not be counted on payroll for premium calculations, the rate bureau announced in a recent circular.
  • Deputy Commissioner Hearings (Non-Medical-Motion Hearings) to Resume in June 2020 via Webex.

Virginia

  • Workers’ Compensation Commission has issued an order to return to in-person hearings on or after June 11, 2020.

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