National – Enlyte released part three of the Pharmacy Solutions Drug Trends Series Report. As a reminder, this report aims to analyze the state of pharmacy trends in workers’ compensation. Part three focuses on trends in the opioid drug category. According to the report, opioid consumption has decreased from 2022 and the number of injured workers using opioids is down 1.4% in 2023.
Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced they will host a 30-minute webinar on August 1st on its Interstate Variation and Trends in Workers’ Compensation Drug Payments, 5th Edition. The webinar will discuss the study’s findings and open for Q&A. Registration is open. If interested, you can register here.
The Federal Trade Commission is planning on suing Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) at UnitedHealth Group’s Optum Rx, CVS Health’s Caremark, and Cigna’s Express Scripts according to a CNBC article. The agency is arguing PBMs tactics contributed to the inflated drug prices.
The U.S. Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee released an Amazon Investigation Interim Report. The report claims that Amazon warehouses are unsafe during the holiday season, and its famous Prime Day (July 16 and July 17). The report states the company disregards safety protocols so workers can match the high volume of orders.
The Center for Firefighter Injury Research and Safety Trends (FIRST) at Drexel University released a report on how different states prioritize workers’ compensation for first responders experiencing mental health injuries. According to the report, all 50 states have been supportive of physical-to-mental injury claims, 44 support mental-to-physical claims, and 40 supported mental-to-mental claims.
Alaska – Governor Mike Dunleavy signed SB 147. SB 147 aims to increase the cap of reemployment plan costs by 66.5%. Specifically, the bill would increase the reemployment plan cost from 13,300 to $22,150.
Minnesota – The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry released the 2024 Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Report. The released report said workers’ compensation trends remained stable despite the COVID-19 system impact.
Nevada – The Nevada Workers’ Compensation Section will host a basic orientation on August 1st. This basic orientation will be a free educational program covering the basic workers' compensation regulations processes and will include a review of paperwork needed when injuries or illnesses occur while on the job. To learn more and register, click here.
Texas – Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation is inviting public comments on proposed regulations that would authorize physicians to conduct maximum medical improvement examinations via telemedicine. Comments are open until 5 pm on August 12 and can be emailed to rulecomments@tdi.texas.gov.
Virginia – The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission will host its 2024 Education Conference and Exhibition on October 8 and 9th. Registration is now open, if interested you can register here.
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