FLASH REPORTS

Flash: “Scathing” Court Order about Applied Underwriters / CIC / Equity Comp

The EquityComp debacle continues with the Court in change of rehab issuing a “scathing” decision concerning Applied Underwriters and California Insurance Company. Here’s the latest in the four-year-old conservation proceeding?  

Flash: 2024 Workers’ Comp Assessments

The 2024 assessments are out California employers will have more fees tacked on to their workers’ comp. The fees will fund operations at the Department of Industrial Relations. How much more? The details are inside.

Flash: California Insurance Company Kicked Out?

A final decision is still pending, but the Judge overseeing California Insurance Company’s conservation gave a big clue as to how she plans to rule. Get the details here.

ARTICLES

DIR WCAB Timing and Spending Requests

What did DIR have to say about its plans to increase staffing and remake three IT systems? How much will employers have to pay if the requests are approved?

SIU Reporting Changes Still A Work In Progress

What does the industry have to say about a proposed change to the trigger for reporting suspected fraud? When will the California Department of Insurance make a decision on how it plans to proceed?

Comment Period Open for Pharmacy Fee Regulations

It has been four years since the Division of Workers' Compensation floated proposed changes to the pharmacy fee regulations. What is still in the proposal, and how has it changed?

Sexual Harassment or Workers’ Comp?

Does the Workers’ Compensation Act’s exclusivity provision trump a Fair Employment and Housing Act harassment claim? What’s behind the original complaint?

Gig Economy Company Capitulates

Hospitality company and prosecutors settle a misclassification case affecting 10,000 workers. How will the company operate going forward?

Appeals Court Approves Recovery In Workers’ Comp Fraud Case

What is California’s “freeze and seize” statute? How did it figure in to this workers' comp premium fraud prosecution? Who lost its property?

Medicare Sets Date For New WCMSA Reporting Rule

When will the workers' comp industry have to report more information about workers' compensation Medicare Set Asides? What are the required new data elements?

Appeals Court Blocks Claimant’s Lawsuit Against QME

Why is a court blocking a lawsuit over the results of a psych evaluation?

Single Payer Health, Presumptions & Expanded Benefits Bills Introduced

Single Payer health insurance encompassing workers’ comp is one of the issues that Legislators will be fighting over this year. Add in new presumptions, changes at Department of Industrial Relations, more claims expenses and find out who are the protagonists.

What Changes Might Improve Accuracy Of Rates and X-Mods

Most of the nation is adopting a new approach to developing workers' comp rates and X-Mods. How does it differ from California’s approach and will the Bureau change as well? Get the story here.

Finally the MEWA Fraud Case Goes to Court

What will be the focus of the federal government's case against the operators of an illegal workers' comp scheme? When will the case(s) go to trial?