National – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposed new rule that will allow physicians to use telemedicine for prescribing certain controlled substances, including narcotics, under specific conditions. This aims to make temporary telemedicine flexibilities permanent from the COVID-19 public health emergency. If finalized, the rules will take effect on December 31, 2025, with a public comment period through March 18th. The proposal includes special registrations for telemedicine, enabling medical providers to prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances without in-person evaluations, and specialized clinicians to prescribe Schedule II-V substances. Representatives Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) voiced support for these changes and sent a letter of support.
Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced a conference and released a study:
- 2025 WCRI Issues and Research Conference - The conference will take place in Phoenix, AZ on March 6-7. Registration is now open and early bird rates end February 6th. To learn more, click here.
- Changes in the Medical Workforce and Impact on Claims report – The report examines the impact of behavioral health conditions on workers' compensation claims. It highlights the commonness of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders among injured workers.
NCCI released its Labor Market Insights report. This report aims to provide a monthly overview of key labor market statistics and discuss its potential impact on workers' compensation. Key findings include: employment growth across most industries in December, the labor market in 2024 ended with a net increase, and job openings increased for the second month in a row.
Enlyte released two reports this week:
- Workers’ Compensation Pharmacy Legislative and Regulatory Year Recap – This report provides a recap of significant legislative and regulatory developments in workers’ compensation pharmacy programs for 2024. Key highlights include updates to California’s pharmacy fee schedule, Colorado’s fee schedule adjustments, Maryland’s upcoming pharmacy reform legislation and ongoing judicial developments in Pennsylvania and Washington. These changes underscore the evolving landscape and the importance of compliance for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as they navigate these updates in 2025.
- Trends Report 2025 – This comprehensive report explores significant advancements in the Property & Casualty industry, emphasizing the transformative effects of generative AI. It also examines the potential impacts of the 2024 election results on workers' compensation and auto insurance programs and highlights the crucial role of mental health in workers' compensation claims.
The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) announced the adoption of five new model laws during their annual meeting in San Antonio. These newly adopted laws include the NCOIL Value Based Purchasing Model Act, the Earned Wage Access Model Act, the Transparency in Third Party Litigation Financing Model Act, the Model Act in Support of Mental Health Wellness Exams, and the Strengthen Homes Program Model Act. Each of these laws was passed with strong support, reflecting NCOIL’s commitment to addressing key issues in the insurance and financial services sectors.
Arizona – Representative Livingston introduced HB 2429 in the Arizona House. HB 2429 would amend workers’ compensation laws to allow employers to create pharmacy management networks for injured employees’ medications. Employers must inform employees about the network, and employees must use network pharmacies for outpatient medications. The bill also outlines network responsibilities, prohibits dispensing-related fees, and clarifies that employees can use out-of-network pharmacies if their claim is disputed. The new section takes effect on December 31, 2025.
Connecticut – CT HB 6405 aims to expand workers’ compensation benefits to cover post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) for first responders. Specifically, the bill would allow police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel to receive compensation if they are diagnosed with PTSD due to a specific traumatic event experienced in the line of duty. Qualifying events include witnessing a death, a traumatic injury, or handling a deceased minor, among others.
Florida – HB 87 was referred to the State Affairs Committee. As a reminder, HB 87 is a bill designed to expand the list of cancers covered under a statutory scheme that provides benefits to firefighters as an alternative to workers’ compensation. The proposed legislation would include acute myeloid leukemia and, if enacted, would take effect on January 1.
Maryland – Senator Pamela Beidle (D) introduced SB 306 that aims to regulate the reimbursement of prescription drugs and pharmaceutical services under workers’ compensation laws. Specifically, the bill mandates the State Workers’ Compensation Commission to set fees based on acquisition costs and review these fees biennially. The Act takes effect on October 1, 2025
Tennessee – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) announced workers’ compensation premiums will decrease in March for the 12th consecutive year. The Commission approved an order for a 3.6% overall loss cost reduction in the voluntary market.
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