Increases in Medicare from the year 2017 to this time now in 2024 drive up workers’ compensation costs By Lonce Lamonte - November 21, 2024 The California Workers’ Compensation Institute (the CWCI) reported early this week that the percentage of Medicare for professional services increased a little more than 17 percent from 2017 to right now in 2024. The Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) conversion factor thus increased a little more than 17 per cent. This drove up the cost to treat injured workers. Each section of the fee schedule uses rules to calculate payment and different inflation factors to update reimbursement rates under California’s workers’ compensation system. Read More

California Division of Workers' Compensation Posts Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule Inpatient Hospital Section to Conform to Medicare Changes By Lonce Lamonte, adjustercom editor using DWC Newsline's News Release November 4th 2024 - November 4, 2024 The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an adjustment to the inpatient hospital section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to changes to the Medicare payment system as required by Labor Code section 5307.1. The effective date of the changes is December 1, 2024. Further information and adjustments to the inpatient hospital section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule can be found on the DWC website’s OMFS page. Read More

Division of Workers' Compensation Posts Updated DWC Form 7 (Notice to Employees - Injuries Caused by Work) By Lonce Lamonte, adjustercom editor using DWC Newsline's News Release Dated October 31st 2024 - October 31, 2024 The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an updated DWC Form 7 (Notice to Employees—Injuries Caused By Work) on its website. The updated Form 7 contains additional information required by Assembly Bill 1870, as enacted in 2024, which amended Labor Code section 3550(d)(4) to require notice to injured workers that: (1) they may consult a licensed attorney to advise them of their rights under workers’ compensation laws; and (2) in most instances, attorney’s fees will be paid out of what they recover as a result of their claims. The amendment to Labor Code section 3550 becomes operative on January 1, 2025. Read More

AmTrust’s report says common injuries like cuts most inexpensive to treat. Back injuries most expensive to treat according to workers’ compensation insurer’s claims’ report. By Lonce Lamonte - October 31, 2024 A report was done on workers’ compensation restaurant claims by AmTrust Financial Services and was just released on Tuesday, October 29th 2024. It claimed that cuts, punctures, and scrapes are the most common injuries that happen to restaurant employees and are relatively inexpensive to treat. Their average costs are $1,798 per claim as stated by the workers’ compensation insurer. Scalds and burn claims from oil and hot surfaces are the third largest category of restaurant injuries with an average cost per claim of $4,326.00. Strains and sprains of muscles are more expensive to treat and the second largest category with an average cost per claim of between $9,966.00 and $10,672.00. Read More

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October 16, 2024 - California Division of Workers' Compensation Announces Temporary Total Disability Rates for 2025

October 9, 2024 - California Division of Workers' Compensation Posts Additional Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (Hospital Outpatient Departments/Ambulatory Surgical Centers)

October 7, 2024 - California Division of Workers' Compensation Issues Notice of 2nd 15-Day Public Comment Period for Rulemaking Action to Adopt Revisions to the Official Medical Fee Schedule (Pharmaceuticals)

October 3, 2024 - California Division of Workers' Compensation Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Meeting Scheduled for October 16, 2024

October 2, 2024 - California Division of Workers' Compensation Posts Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule for Pathology and Clinical Laboratory

October 1, 2024 - California's Division of Workers' Compensation Posts Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (Hospital Outpatient Departments/Ambulatory Surgical Centers)

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