National – Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released Medical Payments in Workers’ Compensation During the Recent Inflation Period report. The report focuses on the period from 2012- 2023. The report aims to discover if any increased medical prices within the workers’ compensation world resulted from the lagged effect of the overall inflation trends.
Monash University released a new study that discovered more than 71% of clinical practice guidelines do not contain deprescribing guidance (the act of reducing a dose of medication). According to the study, only 29% of guidelines contained a deprescribing recommendation, arguing that clinical guidelines are falling short.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sent an unseen rule to the Office of Management and Budget regarding its “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings” rule. While the rule has not been shared publicly, people are speculating it will look similar to the proposed 2023 rule. As a reminder, the 2023 rule required employers, with 11 or more employees, to develop a written Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Program (HIPP).
New Jersey – State Rep. Dawn Fantasia (R) introduced A 4559 late last week. The bill aims to adjust weekly workers’ compensation benefits rates for totally or permanently disabled individuals. The bill would provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment for benefits paid after July 1, 2025, for injuries originating after December 31, 1979.
Rhode Island – This week Governor Dan McKee enacted HB7566. As a reminder, HB7566 would require the Department of Health to amend its regulations and rules regarding electronic prescription refills permitting DEA-registered pharmacies to transfer electronic prescriptions at a patient’s request.
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