State lowers workers comp for a sixth straight year
- Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier granted approval for a statewide overall workers’ compensation insurance rate decrease of 8.4 percent.
- The rate decrease applies to both new and renewal workers’ compensation insurance policies effective in Florida as of Jan. 1, 2023.
- This is the sixth consecutive reduction in workers’ compensation rates for the state.
- Attorney General Ashley Moody: “When businesses are able to succeed, they help create vibrant communities which ultimately allow Florida’s families to thrive.”
Report: 90% drop in world COVID-19 deaths
- There has been a nearly 90% drop in recent COVID-19 deaths globally compared to nine months ago, according to the World Health Organization.
- While this is “cause for optimism,” WHO urged vigilance against the pandemic as variants continue to occur.
- There were over 9,400 deaths linked to the coronavirus reported to WHO, but in February 2022, weekly deaths had topped 75,000 worldwide.
- However, vaccination gaps between rich and poor countries are still wide, and new variants continue to emerge.
Best ways to protect employees
- A proactive approach can help ensure workplace safety and keep up with OSHA standards.
- This strategy can reduce costs, including reductions in workers’ compensation premiums
- Finding and fixing hazards before they cause injuries has irrefutable benefits to a company’s bottom line.
- Firms should provide OSHA training for employees and leverage their new knowledge and awareness to help keep their business flowing safely and smoothly.
California suspends workers comp providers
- The California Division of Workers’ Compensation has suspended 178 medical providers from its workers’ comp system during the first eight months of the year.
- Providers are suspended from the system when they’ve been convicted of fraud-related crimes, have been suspended from Medicare or Medicaid programs because of fraud or abuse, or have lost their professional license.
- Nearly 650 providers have been suspended from the system since 2017.
- For providers convicted of a fraud-related crime in 2022, the Division of Workers’ Compensation has begun lien consolidation cases estimated at $75 million.