FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The medical and facility fee schedules have been updated with an effective date of January 1, 2018. The following resources were adopted by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission for their fee schedule: 2018 CPT, 2018 HCPCS published by CMS, 2018 National Correct Coding Policy Manual, 2018 Relative Value Guide and the November 2017 Federal Register.  The next update is expected on January 2019.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted in the State Register notice of proposed rules regarding the registration of Workers' Compensation Utilization Review Organizations.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Updated the Trauma Centers on June 4, 2020.  To view the updated list, go to http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/emergency-preparedness-response/ems/trauma-program/centersByReg .
• JULY 2020 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE COMMISSIONER MONTHLY REVIEW CALL PROCEDURES And JULY 2020 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE ARBITRATION PROCEDURES: By Order of the Chairman, the Special Circumstance Procedures for both Review and Arbitration that are listed for the month of June 2020, will be carried over through the month of July 2020.  An announcement relative to the continuing process for the month of August will be made near the end of the month of July

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• June 2020 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE ARBITRATION PROCEDURES: Based upon the continuing National Emergency and Worldwide Pandemic created by the COVID-19 virus, Arbitrators will conduct June 2020 monthly status calls and pre trials via WebEx. All trials will be held in person.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• Issued an update to the medical fee schedule to adopt new procedures for COVID-19. The update is retroactive to January 1, 2020.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The rapid spread of COVID-19 and uncertainty created within regulated industry has necessitated the modification of evidentiary rules regarding practice before the Commission to ensure first responders and essential front-line workers, who are most susceptible to exposure to COVID-19, are afforded the full protections of the Workers’ Compensation Act in the event they are exposed to or contract the virus. Illinois issued an emergency amendment containing modifications of evidentiary rules.   To view the notice, go to https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/Pages/default.aspx.
• MAY 2020 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE ARBITRATION PROCEDURES: ​Based upon the continuing National Emergency and Worldwide Pandemic created by the COVID-19 virus, Arbitrators will conduct May 2020 Arbitration Calls telephonically.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Commission has issued Memorandums for updated IWCC Emergency processes and protocols.  To view the Memorandums go to https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/Pages/default.aspx.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Until further notice, all correspondence related to cases appearing on Arbitrator Nowak’s dockets in Collinsville, Mount Vernon and Herrin should be directed to the attention of Arbitrator Nowak at the Collinsville office address.   This would include settlement contracts, motions, return to call requests and any other case related material. The address is as follows: The Honorable Michael Nowak, IWCC, 1803 Ramada Boulevard, Suite B201, Collinsville, IL 62234

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Registration for CompFile will go live in early February! In the meantime, you can get a look at what’s in store by going to the CompFile Implementation web page today! There you’ll find:  Law Firm Administrator Training Schedule: Each law firm will assign a Law Firm Administrator to handle the firm’s CompFile needs. Training scheduling is underway!  CompFile 101: Learn CompFile’s basics and benefits.  To view the CompFile implementation web page, go to https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/resources/Pages/compfile_implementation.aspx.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

•  The medical and facility fee schedules have been updated with an effective date of January 1, 2020. The next update is expected in January 2021.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

•  The Chairman has ordered that stamped copies of documents will be limited to 8 copies each. This order is effective December 9, 2019. To view this order, go to https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/news/Pages/news.aspx#iwcc-111 
• The Governor has appointed eight new arbitrators. The new arbitrators are: Joseph D. Amarilio, Buffalo Grove, IL; Deborah J. Baker, Chicago, IL; Linda Jean Cantrell, Marion, IL; Christopher A. Harris, Chicago, IL; Adam Hinrichs, Geneseo, IL; Elaine Llerena, Chicago, IL; William J. McLaughlin, Tinley Park, IL; and Dennis S. O’Brien, Springfield, IL.
• Proposed an amendment to Administrative Code 9110 by adding a new section 9110.100 regarding explanation of benefits.
• Notice of Arbitrator Assignments Effective January 1, 2020 The following Arbitrators will be assigned and/or reassigned to the following Chicago Calls, effective January 1, 2020:
• Arbitrator Joseph Amarilio will take the Call previously designated as TBA.
• Arbitrator Elaine Llerena will take the Call previously designated as Cellini.
• Arbitrator Christopher Harris will take the Call previously designated as TBA4.
• Arbitrator William McLaughlin will take the Call previously designated as Robert Harris.
• All other Chicago Assignments will remain as reported previously.

The following Arbitrators will be assigned and/or reassigned to the following Zones, effective January 1, 2020:

• Zone 1: Arbitrator Linda Cantrell will replace Arbitrator Edward Lee. Arbitrators Gallagher and Nowak will continue to serve in Zone 1.
• Zone 2: Arbitrator Dennis O’Brien will take the call previously designated as TBA5. Arbitrator Lee will take the call that was designated as Cantrell. Arbitrator Pulia will remain in Zone 2.
• Zone 3: Arbitrator Adam Hinrichs will take the call previously designated as Paul Seal. Arbitrators Rowe-Sullivan and Granada will continue to serve in Zone 3.
• Zone 4: Arbitrator Cellini will take the call previously designated as Dollison. Arbitrator Doherty will take the call previously designated as TBA 2 and Arbitrator Hegarty will take the call previously designated as Erbacci.
• Zone 5: Arbitrator Erbacci will take the call previously designated as Hegarty. Arbitrator Seal will take the call previously designated as Doherty and Arbitrator Glaub will remain in Zone 5.
• Zone 6: Arbitrator Robert Harris will take the call previously designated as Ory. Arbitrators Soto and Friedman will remain in Zone 6.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The state has posted an update to the Trauma Centers by Region with an effective date of 11/04/2019.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• On October 29, 2019, a Chapter 11 Voluntary Petition for Bankruptcy was filed in the matter of Murray Energy Holdings Co., et al, Case No. 19-56885 (JEH) pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio Western Division.  Please consult the Docket of this case for information.  Of note is the entry of an Order on October 31, 2019 granting certain relief from the Automatic Stay in Bankruptcy (particularly paragraph 7 on page 4 addressing Workers' Compensation Claims). To view the notice, go to https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/Pages/default.aspx.  To view a copy of the order, go to https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/resources/Pages/BankruptcyNotices.aspx.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted adoption of amended rules regarding electronic and paper billing by health care providers treating injured workers. The amended rule appeared in the August 30, 2019 State Register but became effective August 19, 2019.  Title 50: Insurance Chapter I Department of Insurance Subchapter hh Workers' Compensation Part 2908 Workers' Compensation Electronic and Standardized Paper Billing is the title of the amended rule.  To view the register, go to https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/home.html.
• On September 23, 2019, Governor Pritzker appointed Kathryn Doerries as a Commissioner of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.  Chairman Michael J. Brennan and the IWCC welcome and congratulate Ms. Doerries.  Commissioner Doerries will preside on Panel A as the Business Member.