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California SB 863 Failure Result In 6.7% WCIRB Rate Increase?

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California SB 863

California SB 863 was supposed to be a cost-cutting measure for all parties involved in their WC system.  Last week, the WCIRB  (Workers Comp Insurance Rating Bureau) recommended a 6.7% increase due to a number of factors for policies effective January 1, 2015.

Graphic Map of California sb 863 State
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According to the WCIRB press release, there were numerous factors that led to the recommended rate increase:

  • Continued adverse medical loss development
  • Greater recognition of changing long-term medical paid loss development patterns
  • Continued high levels of indemnity claim frequency
  • Higher than anticipated loss adjustment expense inflation in part attributable to less than projected frictional costs savings resulting from Senate Bill No. 863 (2012)
  • Lower than forecast wage growth
  • Modest increase in the experience rating off-balance correction factor
Female Doctor California SB 863 On Duty
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The Cost Driver Section in WCIRB’s rate filing report delved further into the reasons for the recommended increase.  SB 863 was supposed to save $200 million which never materialized due to the Independent Medical Review (IMR) process.  The WCIRB had to remove the $200 million in savings from their calculations.

 

 

The WCIRB went on to say:

The WCIRB’s estimated frictional cost savings related to IMR were predicated on replacing higher cost medical treatment dispute resolution mechanisms such as medical liens and the qualified medical evaluator (QME) and expedited hearing processes with lower cost IMRs. 

However, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) data on IMR suggests the volume of IMRs is two to four times higher than that contemplated in the initial cost estimates. Also, while at a reduced volume, medical treatment on a lien basis is still occurring. 

Finally, while qualified medical evaluations are generally not being conducted on medical necessity issues, many claims, partially in response to the Dubon decision, are having expedited hearings on utilization review issues. 

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James J Moore - Workers Comp Expert

Raleigh, NC, United States

About The Author...

James founded a Workers’ Compensation consulting firm, J&L Risk Management Consultants, Inc. in 1996. J&L’s mission is to reduce our clients’ Workers Compensation premiums by using time-tested techniques. J&L’s claims, premium, reserve and Experience Mod reviews have saved employers over $9.8 million in earned premiums over the last three years. J&L has saved numerous companies from bankruptcy proceedings as a result of insurance overpayments.

James has over 27 years of experience in insurance claims, audit, and underwriting, specializing in Workers’ Compensation. He has supervised, and managed the administration of Workers’ Compensation claims, and underwriting in over 45 states. His professional experience includes being the Director of Risk Management for the North Carolina School Boards Association. He created a very successful Workers’ Compensation Injury Rehabilitation Unit for school personnel.

James’s educational background, which centered on computer technology, culminated in earning a Masters of Business Administration (MBA); an Associate in Claims designation (AIC); and an Associate in Risk Management designation (ARM). He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and a licensed financial advisor. The NC Department of Insurance has certified him as an insurance instructor. He also possesses a Bachelors’ Degree in Actuarial Science.

LexisNexis has twice recognized his blog as one of the Top 25 Blogs on Workers’ Compensation. J&L has been listed in AM Best’s Preferred Providers Directory for Insurance Experts – Workers Compensation for over eight years. He recently won the prestigious Baucom Shine Lifetime Achievement Award for his volunteer contributions to the area of risk management and safety. James was recently named as an instructor for the prestigious Insurance Academy.

James is on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the North Carolina Mid-State Safety Council. He has published two manuals on Workers’ Compensation and three different claims processing manuals. He has also written and has been quoted in numerous articles on reducing Workers’ Compensation costs for public and private employers. James publishes a weekly newsletter with 7,000 readers.

He currently possess press credentials and am invited to various national Workers Compensation conferences as a reporter.

James’s articles or interviews on Workers’ Compensation have appeared in the following publications or websites:

  • Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS)
  • Entrepreneur Magazine
  • Bloomberg Business News
  • WorkCompCentral.com
  • Claims Magazine
  • Risk & Insurance Magazine
  • Insurance Journal
  • Workers Compensation.com
  • LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites
  • Various trade publications

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