Things you should know
NCCI publishes two reports on how the pandemic has affected employment
Two reports, prepared by NCCI paint a picture that the pandemic is impacting industries and states differently and that the recession and job losses are likely to continue for months.
Average medical costs paid per claim in-network compared with out-of-network: NCCI report
The average medical costs paid per claim are higher in-network for back and shoulder injuries compared with out-of-network claims, though lower for all other injuries, according to a study released by NCCI. In-network claims also tended to cost less for hospital outpatient services and resulted in fewer hospital admittances.
Another wave of marijuana legalization plus Oregon becomes first state to decriminalize small amounts of "hard drugs"
Voters in four states joined the ranks of the 11 states that had already approved recreational marijuana and voters in two states approved medical marijuana. Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota now allow recreational marijuana and Mississippi and South Dakota approved medical marijuana.
For the first time, a state (Oregon) approved the psychedelic drug, magic mushrooms or Psilocybin, for mental health conditions and Washington, D.C., decriminalized its possession or use. Oregon voters also made the possession of small quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and other drugs a civil violation subject to a $100 fine, but no jail time.
State News
California
- Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara lowered a pure premium rate filing proposed by the state's ratings bureau from $1.56 to $1.45 per $100 of employer payroll and excluded an additional adjustment for COVID-19. The rates will take effect Jan. 1, 2021.
- The Department of Industrial Relations Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board adopted a general safety order that, in effect, creates an emergency temporary standard specific to potential workplace coronavirus exposures.
- Voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 22, a ballot measure that allows gig economy companies to continue treating drivers as independent contractors, with limited benefits and wage protection. The law goes into effect in mid-December.
- Various new and amended employment laws go into effect Jan.1, 2021.
- Division of Workers Compensation announced that minimum and maximum temporary total disability rates will increase Jan. 1, 2021, reflecting a 4.38% increase in weekly wages. The minimum TTD rate will increase to $203.44 per week, and the maximum TTD rate will increase to $1,356.31 per week.
Florida
- The insurance commissioner got NCCI to agree to raise the average rate decrease recommendation from 5.7% to 6.6% in 2021.
Michigan
- MIOSHA released an interim enforcement plan, for the emergency standard adopted in October, establishing agency policies and procedures for investigating hazards.
Minnesota
Missouri
- The Department of Commerce and Insurance recommended a 1% increase in workers' compensation insurance loss costs for 2021, the first recommended increase in six years. Its loss costs changes by industry group include a 1.1% decrease in contracting, but a 1.4% increase in manufacturing, a 2.3% increase in office and clerical, a 1.7% increase in goods and services, and a 0.9% increase in miscellaneous industries.
Nebraska
- Workers' Compensation Court reminds attorneys of Supreme Court order requiring attorneys to notify the court if participants in planned hearings, depositions, trials, or conferences have tested positive for the disease, have been quarantined or have symptoms.
North Carolina
- The Industrial Commission will now accept pleadings, motions, petitions, and affidavits that have not been notarized, according to a recently released bulletin. The party filing the documents needs only verify them in writing,
Pennsylvania
- Rachel Levine, Secretary of Health, recently issued a new Order, which is effective November 20, 2020.
- Bill to watch: S.B. 1360 would clarify an employer's responsibility and rights regarding the state's four-year-old medical marijuana law.