Things you should know

CPWR reports construction worker deaths rose 41% between 2011 and 2019

The number of construction workers killed on the job reached its highest level in at least nine years in 2019, according to a new report from The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR). Using 2011-2019 data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, researchers identified 1,102 construction worker fatalities in 2019 - a 41.1% increase from the initial year of the study period.The increase in fatal injuries was especially pronounced among Hispanic workers, soaring 89.8% over the course of the nine-year period and far outpacing the group's 55% rise in employment over that time.

New survey instrument available from NIOSH to help assess worker well-being

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced a new resource designed to measure worker well-being. The NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (WellBQ) is a free survey instrument intended to help employers, workers, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers understand workers' well-being and target interventions to improve worker well-being.

Dermatologicals continue to be comp cost driver

While prescriptions for opioids and compounds continue to decline in workers compensation, dermatologicals, particularly physician-dispensed drugs, continue to be a cost driver, according to the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). Preliminary data from 28 states showed that the payment share of dermatologicals increased from 11% in 2015 to 21% in the first quarter of 2020, while opioids' payment share fell during that same period from 21% to 8%. The popular topical, diclofenac, is approved for treatment of soft tissue injuries of joints, but is often prescribed for treatment not recommended, such as shoulder and back pain. Another cost driver is private-label topicals, which are independently manufactured and not recommended by evidence-based guidelines.

CMS releases new NGHP Section 111 User Guide (Version 6.3)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an updated Section 111 NGHP User Guide (Version 6.3, April 5, 2021) regarding non-group health plans (liability, no-fault and workers' compensation). This updated guide replaces Version 6.2 (January 11, 2021).

New resource on workplace bullying and violence

J.J. Keller produced a new white paper, which covers information on workplace bullying and violence. The free resource aims to provide tools on identifying, preventing and resolving incidents within your organization.

State News

California

• For the second consecutive year, the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau is recommending that the California insurance commissioner increase the advisory pure premium rate to $1.50 per $100 of payroll for policies incepting on or after Sept. 1. This constitutes a 3.4% increase over the current rate of $1.45 for policies incepting on or after Jan. 1.
• The State Compensation Insurance Fund launched a free online training program to help policyholders prevent workplace injuries.
• Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) study: total costs per claim with more than seven days of lost time have been mostly stable since 2010. In 2019, the most recent year in the study period, total costs per claim increased 4 percent, which was largely driven by a 6 percent increase in indemnity benefits per claim.

Florida

• WCRI study: From 2014 to 2018, total costs per claim with more than seven days of lost time grew moderately at 4 percent per year. In 2019/2020, this measure increased 8 percent, driven by faster growth in indemnity benefits and medical payments per claim. Growth in costs per claim since 2014 was faster than in most states.

Georgia

• WCRI study: Total costs per claim with more than seven days of lost time have remained fairly stable since 2008 but were higher compared with other study states. Higher indemnity benefits per claim and litigation expenses were the main drivers of the higher costs.

Illinois

• The Workers' Compensation Commission announced that it stopped accepting paper filings and that all applications, motions, decisions and reviews must be submitted electronically through CompFile as of April 21.
• WCRI study: Total costs per claim with more than seven days of lost time have grown between 1 and 3 percent per year since 2012, based on claims with 12-48 months of maturity. This growth reflects small increases in medical payments per claim, indemnity benefits per claim, and benefit delivery expenses per claim.

Indiana

• WCRI study: Average total cost of claims remained stable from 2013 to 2018. Indemnity benefits per claim increased from 2014 to 2016, as income benefit provisions of House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1320 were a key factor in indemnity growth. Medical payments per claim decreased from 2014 to 2015, due in large part to the introduction of the hospital fee schedule, also a provision of HEA 1320; however, they rose about three percent from 2015 to 2017 perhaps reflecting the fact that reimbursement is not regulated through a fee schedule for professional services and ambulatory surgery center.

Pennsylvania

• The Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman approved a 3.02% reduction in workers compensation loss costs in the state.