REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published a notice regarding the June 2018 settlement schedule changes. Be advised that the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission will not be processing walk-in settlement approvals on Tuesday June 12, 2018.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• April settlement schedule changes: Please be advised that the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission will not be processing walk-in settlement approvals on the following days (due to the Annual Educational Conference):  TUESDAY, APRIL 17 or WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has adopted the new 2018 CPT codes retroactive to January 1, 2018.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Adopted amendments to rules 20 Miss. Admin. Code Chapter 1, 1.1, 1.15, 2.1 and 2.25. The rules are effective January 1, 2018.  To view the rules, go to: http://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/ACProposed/00023078b.pdf.
• Announced a change in their EDI requirements table.  The requirement for DN 0025 Industry code has changed for the FROI 00 and 04 to “MC” (Mandatory/Conditional). To allow for any programming change that may be necessary, the effective date is June 29, 2018. If you already have this data, please begin to send it in as soon as possible. Please see MS FROI Data Element Requirement table below.  To view the requirements table, go to:  https://mwcc.ms.gov/#/electronicDataInterchange.
• The Mississippi Attorney Transmittal Online System (ATOS) became mandatory on January 1, 2018.  To register go to: https://www.mwcc.ms.gov/atos/#/register.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published the settlement schedule changes for October -December 2017.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The inpatient fee schedule was updated as of October 1, 2017 with current MS-DRG weights, a new annual Base Rate and Outlier Threshold and Cost-to-Charge Ratios.  The next update is expected for October 1, 2018.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published notice of hearing schedule for September and October 2017.  Please be advised that the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission will not be processing walk-in settlement approvals on the following days:  Wednesday, September 27, 2017 and Wednesday, October 25, 2017.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission will not be processing walk-in settlement approvals on the following days: Tuesday, August 8 Wednesday, August 9 .

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• “The MWCC was merged into the State General Fund on July 1, 2016, as mandated by SB 2362. This has created numerous problems for the Commission especially in the area of budgeting. Since this change was implemented, the Governor has cut spending authority for General Fund Agencies four times during FY 17. These cuts reduced the Commission's spending authority by $301,597 for FY 17.The Commission's FY 18 appropriation bill, SB 2975, cut the Commission's spending request by $779,007. As a result of these budget cuts, the Commission is forced to take action and reduce Commission expenses. Effective immediately, pursuant to Rule 18(h) of the Procedural Rules of the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission, the Commission is suspending payment and/or reimbursement of expert medical witness fees. This suspension covers the fees addressed in Rules9(6) and 18(h) of the Procedural Rules of the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission.”

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has adopted select 2017 CPT and HCPCS effective March 1, 2017, including new therapy evaluation codes 97161-97172.  Deleted codes 97001-97006 should not be used for dates of service on or after March 1, 2017.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted notice of settlement schedule changes.  The notice posted state that the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission will not be processing walk-in settlement approvals on either Tuesday April 18 or Wednesday April 19.
•  Montana has posted the proposed facility fee schedule to become effective on July 1, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:

• House Bill 346
  The enacted legislation establishes that certain fiscal agents are employers of record for purposes of Montana’s labor laws specifically in regard to the workers’ compensation act. Effective Date: October 1, 2017.

• Senate Bill 142
  The enacted legislation requires employers for certain emergency personal to notify the employee if workers’ compensation insurance is not provided for the services provides. Effective Date: October 1, 2017.