REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Effective January 1, 2019 the Workers’ Compensation mileage reimbursement rate increased from $0.545 to $0.58 per mile.  The mileage reimbursement rate as determined by Rule 4.1310 is for mileage traveled for medical treatment, to attend an employer’s independent medical examination or attend a vocational rehabilitation meeting.  The rate is the rate that is in effect for classified state employees.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• After the aborted Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) hearing on October 18, the Department of Labor met with opponents of the proposed rule to discuss their concerns. Unfortunately, we were unable to come to agreement on the rules, although there was some agreement that statutory changes may be necessary. The Department has decided to withdraw the proposed rule and leave the existing rule in place. Therefore, it was not necessary for LCAR to consider the rule at its November 15^th To view a copy of rule withdrawn, go to http://labor.vermont.gov/legal-information/proposed-rules/.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Effective 10/22/18, Workers’ Compensation (WC) Specialist II Sue Courchaine and WC Specialist I Shirley Houghton will be assigned all claims with State File Numbers ending in -9 (e.g.: LL-00729). Other WC Specialists will finish up certain older claims ending in -9 for which they have had substantial responsibility to date, however, Sue should receive all correspondence related to claims ending in -9 and we will decide whether Sue will be assigned these or whether your filings will be redistributed to another Specialist.  WC Specialist I Shirley Houghton will continue to provide support for -1 and -2 claims in addition to -9 claims.

For the sake of simplicity, please direct all correspondence and phone calls to the WC Specialists assigned to the State File Numbers ending in the digits listed below unless otherwise instructed:

Assigned Specialist II                                          Assigned Specialist I                    

-1        Anne Coutermarsh                                                Shirley Houghton

-2        Anne Coutermarsh                                                Shirley Houghton

-3        Mary Sarazin                                                          Muriel Landis

-4        Mary Sarazin                                                          Muriel Landis

-5        Julie Mercier                                                          Muriel Landis

-6        Julie Mercier                                                          Wendell Sargent

-7        Paula Liberty                                                          Wendell Sargent

-8        Paula Liberty                                                          Wendell Sargent

-9        Sue Courchaine                                                     Shirley Houghton

Please note: For the time being, this reassignment plan contemplates the continued abandonment of State File Numbers ending in –0.  Therefore, any State File Numbers ending in -0 (e.g.: HH-67250) will be assigned to staff member based on the next number immediately preceding the -0 (e.g.:  HH-67250 would go to Julie Mercier as a -5 claim).  We will let you know by future notification if there are further re-assignments.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Announces that registration is now open for the October training conference. In order to be re-licensed to adjust Vermont workers’ compensation claims, adjusters must receive continuing education credit by attending Vermont Department of Labor sponsored trainings. The dates for the conference will be October 25 & 26, 2018. The conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Burlington, Vermont. The seminars begin at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday the 25th and conclude at noon on Friday the 26th. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, the 25th. 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.
• Posted that the final proposed rules regarding Vermont Workers' Compensation Vocational Rehabilitation have been filed with the Secretary of State's Office and the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules.  The rules are tentatively on the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rule agenda October 18th.  To view the final proposed rule, go to http://labor.vermont.gov/legal-information/proposed-rules/.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The proposed Vermont Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Disease Rules 1-27 have been filed with the Secretary of State’s office.  The rules as proposed can be found at the following link:  http://labor.vermont.gov/legal-information/proposed-rules/

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted notice of proposed notice of amendments to rules regarding Vermont Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Disease Rules 1-27.  To view the notice and proposed rule, go to http://labor.vermont.gov/legal-information/proposed-rules/.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The new Form 28(FY19) and the Form 28A (FY19), which you should use to update claimant’s rates as of July 1, 2018, are now available.  You can download both forms from our web site at:  http://labor.vermont.gov/forms/#comp.  Please make copies as needed.  The new maximum for those injuries arising after June 30, 1986 is $1,311.00.  The new maximum for injuries prior to that date is $874.00.  The minimum in all cases is $437.00.  Historical wage rates are available http://labor.vermont.gov/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/historicalrates.pdf . Please be aware of the requirement to forward a copy of the Form 28 to the injured worker or dependent.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published new form 27 regarding the employer's notice of intention to discontinue payments, which became effective May 25, 2018. To view the new form, go to http://labor.vermont.gov/forms/#comp.
• Has posted notice of amendments to the Workers' Compensation Rule Vocational Rehabilitation.  Rules hearings have been scheduled at the following dates, times and places: 7/9/18, 9:00 a.m., Department of Labor, 5 Green Mountain Drive, Montpelier; 7/11/18, 10:00 a.m., Department of Labor, 200 Asa Bloomer Building, Rutland; 7/13/18, 9:00 a.m., Department of Labor, 63 Pearl Street, Burlington. The deadline for public comment is July 20, 2018. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Trudy Smith at 802-828-2991 or trudy.smith@vermont.gov.  To view the rules, go to http://labor.vermont.gov/legal-information/proposed-rules/.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted notice that two forms have been updated: Form 32 and Form 25.  The new forms can be found on the website at: http://labor.vermont.gov/forms/#comp.
• Effective January 1, 2018 the Workers’ Compensation mileage reimbursement rate increased from $.535 to $.545 per mile.  The mileage reimbursement rate as determined by Rule 4.1310 is for mileage traveled for medical treatment, to attend an employer’s independent medical examination or attend a vocational rehabilitation meeting.  The rate is the rate that is in effect for classified state employees.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Updated Forms 25 and 32.  The can be found at http://labor.vermont.gov/forms/#comp.