In the News
20 Work Comp Issues to Watch in 2016
Mark Walls and Kimberly George discuss their thoughts around 20 issues that the workers’ compensation industry should have on its radar for 2016 with Insurance Thought Leadership. Issues like the election year, Obamacare and the possible federalization of workers’ compensation could all have a major impact. View the article here.
Workers’ Comp Renewals Stable for 2016
Risk & Insurance reports that employers with good loss histories looking to renew their workers’ compensation insurance coverage for 2016 will likely encounter insurers holding their prices relatively level to retain the business. Seth Smith, Senior Vice President of Underwriting, discusses what the excess market can expect. View the article…
Turbulence Ahead in Workers’ Comp?
The workers’ compensation market is characterized as stable, but changes in the nation’s workforce, coupled with rapid-fire technological advancements, threaten to upset the balance of the industry. Mark Walls, VP of Communications & Strategic Analysis, discusses cost drivers and evolving claims models with PC360 in their article on the future…
Safety National’s Positive Impact on Injured Workers
At Safety National, we assist our policyholders in the management of their complex and catastrophic workers’ compensation claims with the goal of obtaining the best outcome for the injured workers. Our approach focuses on the collaborative team effort that is needed to achieve successful outcomes. A recent success story cumulated…
Will New York Workers’ Comp Compliance Program Disadvantage Payers?
This payer compliance program launched by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board is getting mixed reviews from experts. Mitch Neuhaus, Vice President of claims, discusses the implications with Business Insurance. View the article here.
Workers’ Comp Market: Turbulence Ahead?
The workers’ compensation market could currently best be characterized as stable, but changes in the nation’s workforce—coupled with rapid-fire technological advancements—threaten to upset the balance of the industry. Mark Walls, Vice President of Communications & Strategic Analysis, weighs in on medical costs as a contributor to market conditions. View the…
California Closed Formulary Legislation Heads to Governor
With California’s closed drug formulary nearly a done deal, other states including Tennessee and Louisiana are exploring the idea. In this Risk & Insurance article, Sherri Hickey, Director of Medical Management, notes her support for state formularies and key factors of an implementation plan. View the article here.
Taking a New Look at the Grand Bargain
“No fault” isn’t no fault. “Exclusive remedy” isn’t exclusive. And the century-old “grand bargain” in workers’ compensation will keep changing. Mark Walls, Vice President Communications & Strategic Analysis, summarizes the latest legal challenges to the workers’ compensation system in this Insurance Thought Leadership article. View the full article here.
Key Components to Selecting a Workers’ Compensation Reinsurer
Choosing a reinsurer is a very important decision given the long-tail nature of workers’ compensation claims. By definition, you are establishing a long-term relationship with the reinsurer that you select. Ray Harkins, Senior Vice President and head of Safety National Re, breaks down the essential elements of choosing a workers’…
Technology – A Critical Component to Policy Services Best Practices
Cyndee Morton, Vice President of Policy Services Administration, offers insight on how technology has transformed the insurance industry. Advances in technology have enabled the insurance industry to increase efficiency, provide flexility in the underwriting process, and other service practices. View the entire article here.
RIMS Review
At RIMS 2015, Workers’ Compensation stakeholders participated in WorkCompWire’s “RIMS Review.” Steve Luebbert, Chief Operating Officer, weighs in on the current challenges and trends that are potential big changes in the Workers’ Compensation industry. See what he focused on for this year and for the future. See what Steve had…
Maintain a Competitive Advantage by Implementing Policy Services Best Practices
Cyndee Morton, Vice President of Policy Services Administration, offers best practices for policy services administration to WorkCompWire’s Leader Speaks series.”Doing what we’ve always done” should not be the status quo.Policy services teams are tasked with controlling costs while producing positive results. View the entire article here.
Self-Insuring Workers’ Comp
Seth Smith, Senior Vice President of Excess Workers’ Compensation Underwriting, tells Rough Notes why self-insuring workers’ compensation can be one of the best alternatives for employers who want control. View the full article here.
Blunt Talk About Marijuana
Mark Walls, VP of Communications & Strategic Analysis, writes about the evolving world of medical and recreational marijuana as it relates to workers’ compensation in this cover story in Workers’ Compensation Magazine. View the article here.
Workers’ Comp Not ‘Demolished’: What ProPublica Neglected to Tell You
Mark Walls, Vice President Communications & Strategic Analysis, does not fully agree with the feature report published by ProPublica on “The Demolition of Workers’ Comp.” PC360 published his response. View the full article here.
Physician Dispensing: Costs, Consequences
Mark Walls, Vice President Communications & Strategic Analysis, reports on the latest WCRI findings related to physician dispensing on Insurance Thought Leadership. View the full article here.
Thought Leaders on the Present and Future of Workers’ Comp
Mark Walls, Vice President Communications & Strategic Analysis, joins other industry experts as they share their thoughts about the challenges and trends facing workers’ comp professionals with Risk & Insurance. View the full article here.
Did New Mexico Court Open ‘Pandora’s Bong’ With Nod to Pot for Worker?
There is no shortage of idioms for workers’ compensation experts who are concerned over a decision last week from the New Mexico Court of Appeals, which found that medical marijuana qualifies as treatment for injured workers. Mark Walls, Vice President Communications & Strategic Analysis, shares his predictions on if we…
Insurers Thankful for Reauthorization of TRIA
President Barack Obama signed in a six year renewal of Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) last Tuesday, and workers’ comp insurers sighed in relief after thirteen days of uncertainty following the expiration of the previous bill at the end of 2014. Mark Walls, Vice President Communications & Strategic Analysis, weighs…
Terrorism Risk Insurance Bill Passes House
The federal backstop for anti-terrorism insurance passes the House, but it could get crowded out by other priorities in the Senate. Mark Walls, Vice President Communications & Strategic Analysis, provides his predictions on the bill’s fate to CFO Magazine. View the full article here.
Workers’ Comp Issues to Watch in 2015
Tis the season for reflections on the past and predictions for the future. As we kick off 2015, Mark Walls, Vice President of Communications & Strategic Analysis, writes about his thoughts on the workers’ compensation issues to watch this year on Insurance Thought Leadership. View the full article here.
Workers’ Comp Insurers Unfazed by TRIA Failure For Now But Expect Quick Fix
Insurance Journal interviewed several insurance executives on their outlook while the industry expects the new Congress that convenes this week to act quickly to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA). Mark Walls, Vice President of Communications & Strategic Analysis, explains why there appears to be little reaction in the…