Workers comp factor into ER utilization
- A new 28-state study from the WCRI found substantial variation across states in the rates of emergency department use among workers seeking care for new injuries.
- In 2021, emergency department utilization for initial medical services ranged from 14 percent in Arizona to 37 percent in Massachusetts.
- The variation was even larger for conditions like sprains and strains, for which there is a wider scope of shifting between office and ED settings.
- Some factors explaining this variation may include local norms of emergency department utilization and state-specific workers’ compensation system features.
New benefit rates for 2023
- The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development made changes in the maximum benefit rates and taxable wage base that take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, for workers’ compensation and other sectors.
- In the new year, the maximum weekly benefit amount for new Unemployment Insurance beneficiaries increases to $830, from $804.
- The maximum weekly benefit for new workers’ comp claims rises to $1,099, from $1,065.
- The taxable wage base for workers covered under the temporary disability and family leave insurance programs increased to $156,800 for 2023.
Steps can be taken to avoid injuries
- There are several ways employers can limit the risk of fatigue and injuries to their workers.
- NIOSH suggests evaluating schedules, namely with the amount of rest or days off workers get, the predictability of shifts, and the overall time of the shift.
- The best time to schedule demanding tasks is in the early part of the day to avoid fatigue and potential mistakes.
- Make sure employees are aware of their surroundings and potential hazards, and if possible, firms should offer on-site mental and health care in case their schedules preclude them from going offsite.
AF Group completes acquisition of AmeriTrust Group
- AF Group finalized its deal to acquire AmeriTrust Group
- The acquisition has earned regulatory approvals and now aligns two world-class, Michigan-based insurance organizations in the property and casualty market.
- The deal positions AF Group to serve its customers with more diversified products and services and further strengthens its increasingly prominent position and reputation in the market.
- AF Group has been recognized for its financial strength as Ward’s 50 company and an “A” (Excellent) rating by A.M. Best.