Doctors’ payments continue to grow
- Physical medicine cost was the largest driver of annual physician cost increases in workers’ compensation during the past decade, according to a new report by the NCCI.
- The moderate growth of average physician-paid cost per comp claim rose about 1.5% per year.
- The nationwide average annual doctor payments grew by about 15%.
- NCCI researchers say that payments for physician services make up about 40% of all comp medical costs.
New Jersey cracks down on contractors
- An investigation by state agencies in New Jersey resulted in the assessment of more than $1.3 million in back wages and penalties to 20 contractors performing construction work
- Allegations also included employers failing to pay appropriate taxes on purchased construction materials and not carrying workers’ compensation insurance.
- Investigators from the Division assessed the 14 non-compliant businesses a total of $104,092 in back taxes and have collected $46,597.
- The state will continue to pursue collection of the assessed back wages and penalties as cases settle.
Workers still missing time
- A report by the New York State Insurance Fund found that 31% of workers who filed claims for COVID-19 continued medical treatment or took time off work more than 60 days.
- The NYSIF is assessing the impact of long COVID on workers’ compensation and found the condition more prevalent than in two previous studies.
- The National Council on Compensation Insurance found 24% of COVID claimants suffered long-term symptoms.
- The Workers’ Compensation Research Institute reported that 7% of claimants received treatment for COVID symptoms after the initial acute phase had subsided.
Changes for temporary workers
- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed the “Temporary Workers’ Bill of Rights,” which strengthens protections for temporary workers.
- The law requires temporary service firms to carry workers’ compensation insurance as required by state law.
- The measure also requires detailed wage notices in writing in English and in the language identified by the temporary worker as their primary language and must include the workers’ comp carrier.
- The Bill of Rights also allows a temp worker to file a civil action in the Superior Court against both the temporary help service firm and the third-party client.