National – Mintz released its Winter 2024 Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Policy and Legislative Update this week. This update builds on federal and state activity from October 2023 through December 2023. To read the update, click here.
NCCI released The Future of Workplace Safety Technology Is Now. The report explores the latest trends in safety technology through the employer's viewpoints. NCCI interviewed three employers that have adopted innovative safety technologies such as video AI/Computer Vision that employees can wear.
Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released its 2024 Annual Report. The report looks at the institutions’ studies in 2023 and comprises abstracts of select studies, corporate social responsibility examples, and interviews.
Colorado – Colorado Court of Appeals ruled employees who contracted COVID-19 at work can qualify for workers’ compensation. The court declared COVID-19 can be considered an “occupational disease” under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act.
Connecticut – HB 5279 passed the Senate this week. As a reminder, HB 5279 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 – A first responder bill was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis this week. HB 989 aims to provide firefighters diagnosed with certain types of cancers, to be eligible to receive death benefits, disability benefits, and a $25,000 one-time cash payout upon the initial cancer diagnosis.
Georgia – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 451 into law. As a reminder, HB 451, would require that after a qualifying diagnosis of occupational PTSD, first responders have financial resources readily available to them, including identifying a mental healthcare provider of their choice and beginning treatment, as well as having additional financial resources available for the continuation of treatment, pursuit of recovery, and return to service.
Illinois – Representative John Cabello (R) introduced HB 5833. HB 5833 aims to amend the Illinois Insurance Code by not allowing Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) from “steering” a covered individual. The bill states that “steering” includes requiring a covered individual to use only a pharmacy (including mail-order pharmacies) in which the PBM maintains ownership or interest, and the PBM cannot reimburse a pharmacy or pharmacists at an amount less than what the PBM reimburses itself.
New York – S 8544 is awaiting Senate approval. S 8544 aims to amend the workers’ compensation law to allow a claim to be filed for death benefits if an essential employee died of being exposed to COVID-19 while on the job. The bill will also allow claims that were previously denied or not filed in a timely manner to be refilled.
Oklahoma – Four bills this week were approved by Governor Kevin Stitt:
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- SB 1333 will be effective July 1. As a reminder, the bill transfers oversight of the risk pool that provides workers’ compensation for volunteer firefighters from the Firefighter Group Insurance Pool to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. The bill also authorizes the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to collect a premium of $120 per year from state agencies.
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- SB 1456, as a reminder would create a court, the Court of Existing Claims, to manage and oversee workers’ compensation claims that deal with dates of injuries that proceed with the 2014 reforms.
- SB 1457, as a reminder the bill aims to ensure first responders receive workers' compensation. Specifically, the bill states that if a doctor believes a first responder is unable to perform his/her job or an alternative work offered by the employee, the injured first responder will be entitled to receive compensation that is 70% of the first responder's average weekly wage or receive compensation that is greater than the weekly benefit provided.
- HJR 1035, will take effect July 1st. As a reminder, the bill approves the 2024 Medical Fee Schedule.
Pennsylvania – MedRisk, which manages physical rehabilitation in workers’ compensation, plans to acquire Conduent Inc.’s Casualty Claims Solution business. The $240 million sale is subject to regulatory approval.
Texas – The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is proposing amendments to regulatory language to clarify the gifts, grants, and donation rule. DWC is proposing to eliminate references to the Workers’ Compensation Commission and any rules requiring the commission to acknowledge gifts worth more than $500 by majority vote. As a reminder, the Workers’ Compensation Commission was abolished in 2005. The revised rule would allow the DWC to accept gifts, donations, and grants that follow laws and Texas labor and Government codes. DWC is allowing comments to be sent to rulecomments@tdi.texas.gov.
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