Things you should know

WCRI study examines inflation trends in medical payments

Despite a slowdown in general inflation, medical inflation has risen three percent each year since 2020, according to a report from the Workers' Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). Three notable factors: (1) hospital outpatient service payments rose 3-4 percent annually between 2020 and 2024 and hospital inpatient payments grew 4-5 percent per year; (2) non-hospital professional service costs increased faster due to lagged effects of high inflation and variances in state fee schedules; (3) fee schedules are a major contributing factor to mitigating price growth.

Chemical Safety Board (CSB) remains active

Despite the President's recommendation for a $0 budget in FY 2026, the CSB has been very active. For the first time, it successfully enforced its Accidental Release Reporting Rule in a settlement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), released a third volume of incident reports third volume, updated its reportable events dataset, deployed investigators to investigate three new incidents, and more.

The agency is expected to continue as the House and Senate have proposed funding.

Rising Medical Solutions publishes 12th Annual Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study

The study examines how claims organizations are navigating the challenge of implementing digital transformation while maintaining the human elements essential to optimal outcomes. It provides insights into how claims and medical management executives are addressing AI, using advanced technology ecosystems to create personalized digital experiences for injured workers, and the talent shortage.

Body-cooling garments can prevent heat illness and injuries

Researchers from the University of Connecticut's Korey Stringer Institute, found that low-cost body cooling garments such as hats, sleeves, neck and gaiters significantly improved productivity and lowered core body temperatures in workers exposed to heat. More information.

Nationwide survey of workers whose primary job responsibility is driving

A survey by insurer, Nationwide, found that about 20 percent of workers who drive for work admit that they're frequently distracted while behind the wheel, and seven in ten worry about being hurt or killed in a crash. Primary reasons for distraction are GPS or navigation systems (55 percent), responding to work-related text messages (52 percent), and talking or texting on a cellphone (47 percent).

Vacuum extraction near electrical utilities: new guide

A new guide from the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) explores the safe use of equipment and specialized techniques during excavations with vacuum technology. It also details covering hazard recognition, assessment and control.

Information related to work comp-related drugs

Opioids
The FDA is requiring that all opioid pain medications must update their safety labeling information to emphasize the risks associated with long-term use. This includes clearer risk information, dose warnings, clarified use limits, treatment guidance, safe discontinuation, overdose reversal agents, drug interactions, new information about toxic leukoencephalopathy, and digestive health.

GLP-1 drugs
The FDA is requiring warning label changes to all glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications used for the treatment of diabetes and obesity regarding the risk of serious kidney injury that can result from dehydration, requiring the need for hemodialysis treatment.

Gabapentin
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine recently published a retrospective cohort study that examined whether gabapentin prescription is associated with dementia in adults with chronic low back pain. It concluded Gabapentin prescription in adults with chronic low back pain is associated with increased risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, particularly in non-elderly adult.

State News

California

• The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) will hold a public hearing on Proposed Evidence-Based Update and Adoption to the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule on Sept. 26. The Office of Administrative Law rejected portions of the proposed utilization review rules for ambiguity and procedural flaws. The proposed updates incorporate by reference the ACOEM's Cannabis Guideline (published January 28, 2025), which does not recommend cannabinoids for any type of pain and advises against their use in safety-sensitive roles.

Illinois

• The Workers Compensation Commission sent an email stating that the state's rules of evidence apply to its proceedings and that all documentary evidence must be submitted in paper form. A USB drive is not acceptable.

Minnesota

• The Department of Labor and Industries released a report, Evaluating PTSD claims in Minnesota's workers' compensation system: Findings and recommendations, which provides a comprehensive examination and analysis of PTSD claims in the system and makes recommendations for changes.
• Updates work comp news in new issue of Campus Connect.
• The minimum wage rate will be adjusted for inflation on Jan. 1, 2026, to $11.41 per hour for all employers in the state. The 90-day training wage for workers under age 20 will increase to $9.31. Minneapolis and St. Paul have higher rates.

Wisconsin

• The Department of Workforce Development and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner announced a 3.2 percent average rate cut, effective Oct. 1. Actual rates charged to individual employers will vary based on factors including injury risk exposure.
• Governor Tony Evers vetoed Assembly Bill 269 (AB 269), a bill that would have classified app-based drivers, including those for Uber and Lyft, as independent contractors, removing their eligibility for worker's compensation, unemployment insurance, and minimum wage protections.
• The Governor signed a bill returning workers compensation judges to the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). All pending workers compensation adjudication will be transferred from the Department of Administration's Division of Hearings and Appeals to DWD.