Industry Group Pushing WC Digitization

A new industry organization, WC DIGIT, has launched with the objective of digitizing and modernizing processes in workers’ compensation insurance, working in tandem with National Comp.
Formally the Workers’ Compensation Digitization, Innovation, and Transformation Coalition, it’s objectives include: automation of claims processing and fraud detection; Medical management and digital first solutions for employees and employers; and, support digital insurance application process and enhance regulatory compliance through technology.
“By joining the WC DIGIT coalition, National Comp participants can stay at the forefront of workers’ compensation digital transformation and innovation with other interested parties. This critical, collective endeavor offers the promise of unlocking a digital future for workers’ compensation processing and bringing needed efficiencies and added security to workers’ compensation transactions,” said Michelle Kerr, Conference Chair of National Comp.
Membership include Liberty Mutual, Arch Insurance, Nationwide, and The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative, according to the group’s website.
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Temporary and Permanent disability payments to California’s workers’ comp claimants will increase by 3.8% effective Jan. 1, 2025. That translates to employers paying a weekly maximum payout of $1,680.29 compared to $1,619.15 currently. The weekly minimum will climb from $242.86 to $252.03 weekly.
The increase results from the U.S. Department of Labor’s release of updated wage data for California. It shows that the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) increased to $1,704 from $1,642, as of March 31, 2024. The nearly 3.8% increase factors into the maximum temporary total disability (TTD) and permanent total disability (PTD) workers’ comp benefits that employers will pay in 2025.
Under Labor Code section 4453(a)(10), changes in the minimum and maximum TTD rates are tied to the percentage increase in the SAWW as compared to the prior year. For 2024, the SAWW decreased from the prior year. However, there was no comparable decrease in the minimum and maximum TTD rates for 2024.
Life pension or PTD benefits recipients will also see an increase in their weekly payments. Section 4659(c) applies to workers with dates of injury on or after Jan. 1, 2003.
The Social Security Administration announced a 2.5% increase for U.S. retirees in 2025.

Enlyte has launched a network for rehabilitation services including physical and occupational therapy to help injured workers return to their jobs.
Apricus Physical Medicine provides injured employees and payers access to a comprehensive physical medicine solution which utilizes a multidisciplinary specialty network, according to an announcement.
Those rehab services are integrated with bill review and data analytics programs to provide a broader view of medical spend trends and additional vertical integration capabilities across utilization review and case management.
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