05/07/21
WorkersCompensation.com
Oakland, CA (WorkersCompensation.com) – The California Workers Compensation Institute has issued a report on SB 335, a bill that would cut the amount of time claims administrators have to investigate most job injury claims from 90 days to 45 days and increase employers liability for medical benefits during the investigation period by 70%, from $10,000 to $17,000.
Investigating compensability of a claim depends on a timely and coordinated effort, not just by the claims adjuster, but by the employer, the claimant, physicians, attorneys, witnesses, and others. The length of an investigation also can vary depending on the types of injuries reported, the circumstances causing the injurious event, whether witnesses were present when the injury occurred, the cooperation and availability of the parties involved, the number of issues and medical conditions asserted, and the availability of documentation. To determine how long it takes to investigate
Institute Analyzes Impact of California Medical Provider Network Option for Workers April 16, 2021
Legislation intended to increase injured California workers’ access to medical care by requiring the state to create a medical provider network as an alternative to private networks that render 90% of California workers’ compensation treatment would significantly increase medical costs and require millions of dollars in ongoing administrative and infrastructure expense, a California Workers’ Compensation Institute analysis finds.
Assembly Bill 1465 would require the administrative director of the state’s workers’ compensation system to establish a statewide medical provider network, called the California Medical Provider Network, and give employees the choice to treat within their employer’s MPN or the CAMPN.