Alabama VIEW STATE →

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The Division of Workers’ Compensation has posted Addendum 5 to the state’s 2018 Medical Fee Schedule, Hospital Rates. These rates have different effective dates.
• The state has posted new updates to the Workers’ Compensation Fee Schedule with an effective date of March 1, 2019. The newly posted schedules include updates to Ambulance, Anesthesia, ASC, Chiropractic, Clinical Lab, Dental, Disability Codes, DME, Home Health, Hospital, In-Office Surgery, Optometrist, Pain Pump, Pharmaceutics, Physical Therapy and Physicians modules.

Arizona VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Industrial Commission of Arizona Claims Division is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Out-of-State Adjustor Authorization Program. The Commission has developed an internet-based training program to supplement the annual ICA Claim's Seminar. The internet-based training program will offer current training on workers' compensation processes and procedures in a more flexible format. Out-of-state adjusters will have access to pre-recorded training webinars (available on demand) on topics ranging from new claim notifications, active claims management, closing claims with permanent impairment, and more. Out-of-state adjusters may use the internet-based training program to become authorized (or maintain authorization) to handle Arizona workers' compensation claims in and out-of-state pursuant to R20-5-130(B). In addition, any adjuster or interested member of the public will have the ability to view the webinars to become better acquainted with the Arizona workers' compensation system. Please visit https://www.azica.gov/out-state-adjuster-authorization-program for detailed instructions on enrolling in the internet-based training program and for more information about the Annual Claims Seminar. Please note, out-of-state adjusters who received extensions of a prior authorization from the ICA or who participated in an alternative training program are required to renew their training on or before April 16, 2019.  If 2017/2018 reference materials were purchased as part of an alternative training program, please indicate this when enrolling in the live webinar Q&A portion of the training program. Participants who participated in an alternative training program and who purchased 2017/2018 reference materials will not be required to purchase updated reference materials unless the Claims Division is unable to verify prior purchase. Please contact Ruby Tate, Claims Manager at 602-542-4317 or Ruby.Tate@azica.gov for further information. PIO Contact: Name: Trevor Laky; Title: Chief of Legislative Affairs and Public Information Officer; Phone: 602-542-4478; Email address: trevor.laky@azica.gov.  To view the notice, go to https://www.azica.gov/news-and-events.

Arkansas VIEW STATE →

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has adopted the new Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Schedule and Laboratory Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2019.  The next update is expected in January 2020.

California VIEW STATE →

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The DWC has adopted the Medi-Cal rates effective February 15, 2019. The next update is expected March 15, 2019.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) announced that medical providers who treat injured California workers can now have free online access to the State’s Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) guidelines.  “Medical providers in California should ensure that treatment decisions for injured workers are based on the best available evidence,” said George Parisotto, DWC Administrative Director. “By providing these guidelines free of charge, we are removing barriers that we expect will improve quality of care and reduce friction in the utilization review process.” Licensed healthcare providers who treat California injured workers can use MDGuidelines: CA MTUS-ACOEM Edition to quickly search the latest evidence-based recommendations incorporated into the State’s MTUS. Providers who perform qualified medical evaluations, utilization review or independent medical review can also register to use the online tool free of charge. The MTUS, a set of regulations based on the principles of evidence-based medicine, has adopted treatment guidelines developed by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). In most cases, medical treatment that is reasonable and necessary to cure or relieve an injured worker from the effects of injury means treatment that is based upon the ACOEM treatment guidelines. Providers must register in order to gain access to the site administered by the Reed Group. The site includes online training webinars and instructions. Users can email MTUS@reedgroup.com for more information. The Division of Workers’ Compensation monitors the administration of workers’ compensation claims and provides administrative and judicial services to assist in resolving disputes that arise in connection with claims for workers' compensation benefits.  To view this announcement, go to https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/dwc_home_page.htm.

Connecticut VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Commission’s newest Commissioner is Toni M. Fatone, who has been active in health care policy and administrative law for over 30 years, including working in both the public and private sectors. After earning her bachelor’s degree cum laude from the University of Connecticut in 1983 (with a major in political science and a minor in history), Fatone went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the Stetson University College of Law in Saint Petersburg, Florida in 1987. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1987 and the Connecticut Bar in 1988.

Delaware VIEW STATE →

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has adopted their new medical and facility fee schedule with an effective date of January 31, 2019. The next update is scheduled for January 2020.

Florida WC VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Florida has withdrawn rule 69L-7.020 Florida Workers' Compensation Health Care Provider Reimbursement Manual and 69L-7.100 Florida Workers' Compensation Reimbursement Manual for Ambulatory Surgical Centers. The Division withdrew the proposed rules on January 29, 2019.  To view a copy of the withdrawal notice, go to https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=69L-7.020.
• The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers' Compensation announced a public meeting of the Three-Member Panel that was to be held on Monday, February 18, 2019, beginning at 1:00 p.m. in room 116 of the J. Edwin Larson Building located at 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida. This public meeting was convened to facilitate the Panel's consideration of the following items:
• The Three-Member Panel 2019 Biennial Report
• Rulemaking status update for the 2018 editions of the Reimbursement Manuals
• The Division's Annual Report on the resolution of health care provider medical reimbursement disputes and activities (2018) conducted pursuant to s. 440.13(8), F.S.

Georgia VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Announced the following schedule for their regional educational conferences:
  • March 20, 2019 in Cartersville, Georgia
  • March 28, 2019 in Newnan, Georgia
  • April 11, 2019 in Valdosta, Georgia.

To view additional information regarding the conferences, go to https://sbwc.georgia.gov/.

Idaho VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Has published the NCCI Medical Data Report 2018 and the Data Report Opioid Utilization Supplement.  To view the reports, go to https://iic.idaho.gov/benefits-administration/medical-information/.
• Published Legislative Draft 3 PTSD/PTSI Benefits for First Responders along with NCCI Idaho PTSD Draft 3 write up.  To view the drafts, go to https://iic.idaho.gov/.

Illinois VIEW STATE →

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The Illinois Department of Public Health has amended the list of Trauma Centers by Region.  To view the updated list; go to http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/emergency-preparedness-response/ems/trauma-program/centersByReg.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Effective immediately, Arbitrator Seal will be assigned to cover the dockets previously presided over by Arbitrator McCarthy in Bloomington, Peoria and Rock Island.  Arbitrator Seal's first status call in Zone 3 will be held in Bloomington on Monday, March 25th .
• Published company bulletin 2019-1 regarding all insurance companies submitting referrals to the workers' compensation fraud unit.  All insurance companies that wish to submit a referral request to the Department's Workers' Compensation Fraud Unit for investigation and potential referral for prosecution, MUST submit the referral request on the attached Workers'  Compensation Fraud Unit Referral Form. This form will also be available on the Department's website. The Workers' Compensation Fraud Unit will not process any referrals without a completed Workers' Compensation Fraud Unit Referral Form. Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to DOI.Communications@illinois.gov.  To view the bulletin, go to http://insurance.illinois.gov/CB/CompanyBulletins.html
• Please note that the hearing date scheduled for Monday, May 6th in New Lenox has been cancelled. The status call scheduled for Wednesday, May 1st and the hearing dates of May 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th will be held as scheduled.
• The IWCC hosted a training webinar for its EDI implementation on February 25, 2019.  Please see the EDI Implementation Section for more details. To view additional details, go to https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/Pages/EDIImplimentation.aspx.

Indiana VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Two ODG Drug Formulary training webinars have been scheduled on Tuesday, February 12th from 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM ET and Thursday, March 7th from 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM ET. If interested in signing up for the seminars, go to http://info.mcg.com/odg-webinar-indiana-formulary.html.
• Reminder that the Indiana Workers' Compensation Board will be transitioning to EDI Version 3.1 pm March 20, 2019.  For additional information, go to https://www.in.gov/wcb/2586.htm.

Iowa VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Iowa Workforce Development Department has adopted amendments to a rule related to vocational training eligibility requirements. To view the posting in the current register, go to https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules.

Kansas VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) Acting Secretary, Delía Garcia, has selected KDOL Unemployment Insurance Director, Brett Flachsbarth, to serve as the Deputy Secretary for the agency. His appointment is effective immediately.  “From the moment I met Mr. Flachsbarth, he has demonstrated powerful leadership skills, and he is very well respected at both the state and national level for his knowledge of the Unemployment Insurance program,” Garcia said. “Through the past three Governors’ administrations, he has worked to maintain and nurture professional relationships with his colleagues and has been a huge help during my transition. He did a fantastic job serving as Director of Unemployment and I trust he will continue to do the same as the new Deputy Secretary.”
• Future training sessions are planned for those interested in learning more about the Online System for Claims Administration Research/Regulation (OSCAR).  Dates, times and locations will be posted in News and Alerts on the OSCAR Information Web page, announced in the Work Comp Connection newsletter and on the KDOL Facebook.

Kentucky VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted notice of a proposed amendment and a newly adopted rule in the February Edition of the state register.  The proposed amendment is regarding appeal of a tax assessed by the Kentucky Claims Commission.  The new regulation is in regard to the pharmacy formulary which was adopted under emergency authority.   To view the register, go to https://legislature.ky.gov/Law/kar/Pages/Registers.aspx.
• In conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims, ODG provided a live ODG Drug Formulary training webinar on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 3:00 P.M. EST. The 30-minute webinar, taught by ODG Implementation Specialist and Clinical Educator, Jamie LaPaglia, RN, CCM, gave a quick “one-minute clinic” overview of how to use the ODG Formulary, followed by a more thorough “deeper dive” into the formulary, including Q & A.

Kentucky Auto VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Issued Bulletin 2019-1 regarding policy provisions containing arbitration agreements.  To view the bulletin, go to http://insurance.ky.gov/Bulletin.aspx#Bull.

Maryland-Auto VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted notice of a proposed regulation regarding unfair trade practices for valuation of motor vehicles.

Medicare VIEW STATE →

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• CCI and MUE Edits – CMS has posted the new April 1, 2019 update to the CCI and MUE edits modules.

Nebraska VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court’s revised Rules of Procedure are now available (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/information-for-the-public/court-forms-and-publications/rules-of-procedure). Amendments to the court’s adjudicatory Rule 2 was adopted at a December 20, 2018 public meeting and approved by the Nebraska Supreme Court on January 23, 2019. Amendments to the court’s non-adjudicatory Rules 26, 47, and 50 were adopted at a December 20, 2018 public meeting. To view the rules, go to https://www.wcc.ne.gov/information-for-the-public/court-forms-and-publications/rules-of-procedure.
• The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court has released enhancements to its eFiling system. Electronic Service (eService) is now available and appeal pleadings can now be eFiled (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2019-1-news).  Rule 2,D was amended effective January 23, 2019 to allow for these enhancements (https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/rule_amendments/WCC2Amds.pdf).
• Daily processing of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) batch files by the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court is temporarily suspended. This will result in delays in the court’s acknowledgements that EDI trading partner data has been received and processed. EDI Trading Partners should continue submitting their data transactions as usual, as we expect to resume daily processing within the next 48 hours.

Nevada VIEW STATE →

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The Division of Industrial Relations of the Department of Business and Industry in Nevada has adopted a new medical fee schedule with an effective date of February 1, 2019. The next expected update is scheduled for February 2020.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The regulation, LCB File No. R127-17, was adopted effective January 30, 2019.  This regulation amends NAC 616C.502 by removing the outdated factor table to be used in computing a lump sum payment for a permanent partial disability award, which has been replaced by Actuarial Annuity Table adopted each July 1^st; and repeals NAC 616C.498, which has been superseded by amendments to NRS 616C.495.  To view the notice and adopted rule, go to http://dir.nv.gov/WCS/Home/.

New Jersey WC VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• As of March 15, 2019, the N.J. Division of Workers’ Compensation shall require all licensed New Jersey attorneys and law firms to file the following pleadings electronically through COURTS on-line in accordance with N.J.A.C. 12:235-3.1: Claim Petitions, Answers to Claim Petitions, Dependency Claim Petitions, Answers to Dependency Claim Petitions, Medical Claim Petitions, Answers to Medical Claim Petitions, Applications for Review and Modification of Formal Awards (Re-Openers), Answers to Review and Modification of Formal Awards (Re-Openers), and Amendments to all the pleadings set forth above.  Any such pleadings filed on or after March 15, 2019, shall be rejected for filing, with instructions to file the matter electronically through COURTS on-line.  In such instances, the filing date shall be the date the document is received through COURTS on-line. To view detailed information, go to https://www.nj.gov/labor/wc/content/notices.html#efiling_111518.

New Mexico VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The New Mexico Department of Finance Administration (NM DFA) has updated mileage reimbursement rates, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Until further notice, the mileage reimbursement rate is $0.44 for medical treatment when an injured worker travels 15 or more miles (one way) for receive treatment.

https://workerscomp.nm.gov/sites/default/files/documents/publications/mileage_reimbursement_rates.pdf

• Reference to NM DFA rates for mileage reimbursement can be found in WCA rules, under Part 3, “Payment of Claims, Post-Accident Drug and Alcohol Testing, and Conduct of Parties” (Effective 6/30/16). https://workerscomp.nm.gov/WCA-Rules-and-Statutes
• Annual Expenditure Reports (AER) for 2018 data were due by February 15, 2019.
• The Winter 2019 issue of the NM WCA’s Quarterly Bulletin is now published on the state’s website, and can be found here: https://workerscomp.nm.gov/NMWCA-Publications In this issue, read about the one-year mark of the WCA’s Electronic Case Filing; agency staff helping prepare young students for legal careers by serving as advisors in the statewide Gene Franchini Mock Trial Competition, and much more.

New-Mexico-Auto VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted notice of proposed rulemaking regarding public, staff and independent adjusters. This rule applies to resident and non-resident persons seeking licensure to provide adjusting services in this state, as defined in Article 13 of 59A NMSA 1978. The purpose of this rule is to set forth licensing requirements of public, independent and staff adjusters in this state.  The proposed effective date of the rule is April 15, 2019.  To view the proposed rule, go to, https://www.osi.state.nm.us/MiscPages/insrulemakingandstatutes.aspx.

North Carolina VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Chairman Charlton L. Allen is pleased to announce that Tammy R. Nance has returned to the North Carolina Industrial Commission to serve as a Deputy Commissioner. Deputy Commissioner Nance previously served as a Deputy Commissioner from 1987 to 1995 and then as a Commissioner on the Full Commission from 2011 to 2018.
• Effective February 4, 2019, Cara Byrne and Brian Liebman will serve as Law Clerks to Chairman Charlton L. Allen. Byrne has previously served the Industrial Commission as a law clerk to Commissioner A. Robinson "Robby" Hassell. Byrne is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Liebman has previously served the Industrial Commission as a Special Deputy Commissioner in the Deputy Commissioner Section. Prior to that, Liebman served as a law clerk in the chambers of the Hon. Robert N. Hunter, Jr. of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Liebman is a graduate of North Carolina State University and earned his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
• On February 21, 2019, the Rules Review Commission approved changes to rules governing claims brought pursuant to the State Tort Claims Act.  These changes become effective on March 1, 2019.  To view this notice, go to http://www.ic.nc.gov/news.html#hot.

North Dakota VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• WSI reimburses for vision correction materials (e.g. eyeglasses, contact lenses) when prescribed and deemed appropriate for an accepted workers’ compensation claim. The following are circumstances under which WSI may reimburse for vision correction materials:
  • A work injury causes damage to existing vision correction materials requiring replacement
  • Vision correction materials become necessary to correct an impairment caused by a work injury
  • Replacement vision correction materials are necessary to continue the correction of an impairment caused by a work injury.

 A provider must obtain prior authorization prior to dispensing vision correction materials. The request for approval must include all add-on features, whether optional or prescribed.  To request prior authorization, a provider may contact the claims adjuster by calling WSI’s Customer Service Department at 701-328-3800 or 800-777-5033. Reimbursement for vision correction materials is issued per the WSI Fee Schedule. When a work injury causes damage to existing vision materials, WSI may issue a one-time reimbursement in full to replace the exact features present prior to the damage. A provider may not bill the patient, employer, or another insurer for the balance of a paid or denied charge. For cosmetic or functional features not necessary to treat a work injury, a provider may utilize the Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) form. The ABN form should provide the estimated costs for each elective feature and allows an injured worker to accept financial responsibility. When a signed ABN form is in place, a provider should append modifier -GA to the applicable line item(s) and attach the ABN form to the medical bill. WSI requires a provider submit charges for vision correction materials with the applicable HCPCS codes on a CMS-1500 form or via EDI. Charges submitted to WSI on an invoice are not eligible for reimbursement. For complete information on WSI’s billing options, a provider should visit the Billing/Payment section of the WSI website.

Ohio VIEW STATE →

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has adopted a new Inpatient Hospital Fee Schedule effective February 1, 2019. The next update to the inpatient fee schedule is expected February 2020.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published notice of three rules that are open for public comment.  The rules under consideration are 4123-6-08 Bureau Fee Schedule, 4123-6-37.2 Payment of Hospital Outpatient Services; and 4123-6-37.3 Payment of Ambulatory Surgical Center Services.  All three rules are schedule to accept public comment through March 22, 2019.  To view the rules, go to https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/basics/guidedtour/generalinfo/OACInReview.asp.

Oregon VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The 2018 Report on the Oregon Workers’ Compensation System has been completed and is now available online. For more than two decades, the Research Unit within the DCBS Information Technology and Research Section published a report on the Oregon workers’ compensation system. The report is now published online. We are also connecting the information in this report to the other research reports and providing data on Oregon’s open data portal, https://data.oregon.gov/. The new report can be found at the link below. It provides data through 2017. We anticipate adding 2018 data this spring. https://www.oregon.gov/dcbs/reports/compensation/Pages/index.aspx.
• Published bulletin 151. The bulletin provides a link to the updated list of registered vocational assistance providers as required by ORS 656.340(10). The Workers’ Compensation Division publishes Bulletin 151 annually. This bulletin replaces Bulletin 151 issued Jan. 29, 2018. List of registered vocational assistance providers," is available online: https://wcd.oregon.gov/Bulletins/bul_151.pdf.
• The Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) published the following industry notice: Vocational eligibility determination audits https://wcd.oregon.gov/IndustryNotices/02-07-19-IN-Voc-Audits.pdf.  WCD will begin a focused audit this month to verify that workers’ eligibility or ineligibility for vocational assistance benefits were evaluated.
• Published the January 2019 issue of WCB case News and Notes.  To view the publication, go to https://www.oregon.gov/wcb/Pages/news-notes.aspx.

OWCP VIEW STATE →

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) has released updates to the Surgical Procedures Allowed for Facility Fee Payment to Ambulatory Surgery Centers with an effective date of January 1, 2019.

Pennsylvania WC VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Has announced the 18th Annual Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Conference to be held June 3-4, 2019 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hersey Pennsylvania.  To get additional information, go to https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Compensation/WC/conferences/Pages/default.aspx.

South Carolina VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published the full commission business meeting agenda for February 19, 2019.  To view the notice, go to https://wcc.sc.gov/news.
• Published an Advisory Notice regarding changes to Commission forms. In particular, the Commission edited the language on the Form 50, Form 30, Form 32 and Form 18 for the purposes of clarity and judicial expediency.  In addition to these changes, the Commission discontinued the use of the Form 22.  Any Form 22 submitted after the effective date will be returned. The effective date of the changes to the forms and discontinuance of form 22 is March 1, 2019.   To view this notice, go to  https://wcc.sc.gov/news.

Tennessee VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation (TNBWC) will soon be transitioning from the IAIABC EDI Claims Release 1 standard to the IAIBC EDI Claims Release 3.1 standard for electronic reporting of workers' compensation First Reports of Injury (FROI) and Subsequent Reports of Injury (SROI). The mandatory implementation is planned for September 2020, through the exact date will be announced later. Additional information on the IAIABC EDI R3.1 transactions for FROI and SROI can be found online at IAIABC website. http://www.iaiabc.org. Electronic reporting using IAIABC Claims Release 3.1 will be required for all trading partners: insurers, self-insured employers and claim administrators. The TNBWC has contracted with ISO's Workers’ Compensation Standards Division, to manage their FROI and SROI EDI reporting. ISO will also be administering the registration of trading partners, testing, data collection and submission of EDI data to the TNBWC. TNBWC will provide an enhanced EDI Website that is currently planned for June 2019.  For additional information, go to https://www.tn.gov/workforce/injuries-at-work/bwc-newsroom/2019/1/24/edi-claims-release-3-1-information-update.html.

Texas VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) seeks informal input about revisions to the designated doctor performance review process. The purpose of the evaluation process is to ensure the quality of designated doctor decisions as required by Texas Labor Code §413.002. Changes to the process include:
  • modifying the threshold for the performance review factor “reports not adopted at a contested  case    hearing”;
  • reducing the number of randomly selected reports included in a performance review; and
  • other non-substantive changes to conform to new style standards.

DWC may take necessary action to deny renewal of a designated doctor's certification based on the outcome of the review, as provided by Texas Labor Code §408.1225(b) and DWC rule 28 Texas Administrative Code §127.110.  These proposed changes will not affect the procedural rights of a designated doctor. The results of the review process helps DWC improve the quality of training and testing by identifying areas for improvement in the designated doctor program.

• Proposed revisions to the process can be seen at tdi.texas.gov/wc/hcprovider/medadvisor.html. The Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation will evaluate any informal input provided. Workers’ compensation system participants may submit input to OMA@tdi.texas.gov by 5 p.m. Central time on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. If you have any questions, contact Mary Landrum at 512-804-4814 or Mary.Landrum@tdi.texas.gov.   To view this announcement, go to https://www.tdi.texas.gov/alert/whatsnew/index.html.
• TDI has posted notice of a filing by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) related to proposed changes in NCCI’s Basic Manual for Workers’ Compensation and Employers Liability Insurance. The filing proposes that the changes in Item 01-TX-2018 apply to new and renewal workers’ compensation policies effective on and after March 1, 2019.  For more information, please contact the Office of the Chief Clerk by email or call 512-676-6585.  To view the manual changes, go to https://www.tdi.texas.gov/rules/2018/nccimanual.html.

Utah WC VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Just posted Bulletin -1-2018 regarding first aid clarification.  The bulletin was dated August 15, 2018 but was just posted on the agency website.  To view the bulletin, go to https://laborcommission.utah.gov/divisions/IndustrialAccidents/bulletins.html.

Vermont VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Announced the June Adjusters Conference. The dates for the conference will be June 13^th and 14^th, 2019.  The conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Burlington, Vermont.  The seminars begin at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday the 13^th and conclude at noon on Friday the 14^th.  Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, the 13^th.  Please note the times for the conference and make certain that travel arrangements do not conflict with the start and end times.  Attendees must be present for the whole conference for continuing education credit.  To make hotel reservations call the Hilton Burlington’s Central Reservations line at 1-800-445-8667 and mention the special rate code of VT DOL WC Adjusters to get the group rate.  You can also use the following link to make reservations:  https://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/B/BTTVTHF-VTDOL-20190612/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

The rate for June 13^th and 14^th is $174.00. (Additional taxes may apply and there is an additional fee for parking of $15 per day in the adjacent parking garage.)  The "cut off" date for accepting reservations is May 13, 2019.  Conference registration is being done through Delaney Meeting and Event Management. You can access the on-line registration form at the following link:  http://www.cvent.com/d/86q8wj/4W

If you are unable to register online contact Delaney Meeting and Event Management at (802) 865-5202. If you have questions regarding this event, please contact Sharon Cseh at skc@rsclaw.com.

West Virginia VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The State Travel Management Office of the West Virginia Department of Administration’s Purchasing Division has announced that effective January 1, 2019, the state mileage reimbursement rate has increased to 58.0 cents per mile. Accordingly, the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner is issuing this Notice to advise all private carriers, self-insured employers, and third-party administrators responsible for the administration of workers’ compensation claims in West Virginia that the rate of reimbursement to claimants for mileage driven under the provisions of West Virginia Code § 23-4-8(d) and (e) is also adjusted to 58.0 cents per mile, effective January 1, 2019.

Wisconsin VIEW STATE →

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published the draft meeting minutes for the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council Meeting held on December 11, 2018.   To view the draft of the minutes, go to https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/wc/councils/wcac/wcac_minutes.htm.

Wyoming VIEW STATE →

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has released the new medical fee schedule with an effective date of January 1, 2019. The next expected update is in January 2020.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted notice of proposed rules and regulations regarding Chapter 10:  Miscellaneous Medical Protocols.  To view the posting, go to https://rules.wyo.gov/Search.aspx?mode=2.  Comments on the proposed rules will be accepted until March 29, 2019. At this time no public hearing is scheduled.