National – This week Enlyte released a report and a new mental health hub:
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- Enlyte released its 2024 Annual Pharmacy Solutions Drug Trends report. According to the report, one of the biggest drops in utilization the workers’ compensation industry has seen in years is due to workers’ compensation regulations to limit and control opioid prescriptions and distribution. The report states opioid prescriptions per workers' compensation claim dropped by 9.7% in 2023.
- Enlyte released a mental health hub aiming to be a resource for workers’ compensation professionals seeking to incorporate mental health strategies into programs. Check out the hub here.
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According to the Associated Press article, the US Drug Enforcement Administration is planning to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug. While the proposal is still seeking the White House’s approval, the proposal would recognize the medical uses of cannabis, and acknowledge the drug to be less addictive than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs.
The Hanover Insurance Group recently released its 2024 Small Business Risk Report: A Focus on Workers’ Compensation. The report discusses how small business owners select their workers' compensation program, and how a claim impacts business owners' view on their workers’ compensation programs.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) report claims a decrease in workers' compensation bureau loss costs is due to changes in payroll used to calculate premiums and a decline in injury claim frequency. Check out Business Insurance to learn more about the report.
Colorado – HB 24-1220 passed the second reading in the Senate with no amendments and increased to 34 Democratic cosponsors. As a reminder, it would allow injured workers to receive benefit payments through direct deposit if requested and includes loss of an ear to the list of other body parts where employees can receive whole personal permanent impairment benefits. The bill also aims to ensure an injured employee will not be fired if they do not accept an offer of modified employment that involves driving to and from the place of employment if their medical condition restricts the injured workers from driving.
Connecticut – This week, HB 5198 passed the House and was sent to the Senate. As a reminder, HB 5198, if passed, would extend telehealth provisions that were adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic until June 30, 2027.
HB 5279 is gaining attention in Congress. The bill was introduced with bi-partisan support from State Representatives Paul Cicarella (R), Saud Anwar (D), and Dave Yaccariuno (R) back on February 22. Since its introduction, the bill gained 45 cosponsors with 17 Democratic and 28 Republican Members of Congress. This week, HB 5279, passed the House and is now in the Senate. As a reminder, the bill would expand workers’ compensation to include deaths or disabilities resulting from a cerebrovascular incident or pulmonary embolism for firefighters or police officers and would expand the time when an officer or firefighter is considered in the line of duty to start 24 hours after attending training or engaging in duties.
Florida – HB 159 was approved by the Governor late last week. As a reminder, HB 159 would allow licensed pharmacies to screen for HIV exposure as well as order and dispense HIV infection-preventing drugs.
Oklahoma – SB 1456 was amended before the House passed it and will now have to return to the Senate for concurrence. The House changed the title, which is a common tactic when a bill impacts the state budget, but no substantive changes were made to the bill text.
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