Delaware Lawmakers Propose New Mental Health Insurance Mandates
- Delaware’s proposed legislation would require insurers to cover mental health services at the same level as physical healthcare treatments.
- This bill aims to eliminate pre-authorization hurdles and coverage gaps that frequently delay psychiatric care for injured workers.
- For the workers’ comp industry, this mandate could increase claim costs while potentially improving long-term recovery outcomes for claimants.
- These changes would force insurers to adjust their reimbursement models to remain compliant with state parity laws.
DOL Proposes Standardized Joint-Employer Liability Rule
- The Department of Labor has proposed a uniform nationwide standard for determining joint-employer status under federal wage and hour laws, utilizing a four-factor test.
- This framework, focusing on hiring, supervision, pay, and records, aims to clarify which entity holds primary liability and insurance obligations.
- For workers’ compensation, this, in turn, helps establish clear insurance obligations during claims.
- Employers must now reassess relationships to ensure compliance.
Tennessee Supreme Court Reinstates Benefits in Workers’ Compensation Case
- The Tennessee Supreme Court recently overturned a lower court’s decision to reinstate benefits for an employee injured during a workplace accident.
- This ruling clarifies the legal standard for proving causation when a workplace injury aggravates an employee’s pre-existing medical condition.
- For your readers, this case highlights how judicial interpretations can significantly shift the financial liability for long-term disability claims.
- The decision emphasizes that employers may remain responsible for permanent disability even when underlying health issues are present.