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California Worker’s Compensation Medical Provider Network (MPN) New Requirements Effective October, 2010

In an effort to streamline the notification process and reduce the burden on employers, the Administrative Director of the California Division of Worker’s Compensation (DWC) recently amended regulation relating to MPN’s. The DWC regulates how an employer implements a MPN, requiring them to provide specific notification to their California employees. The purpose of this letter is to alert you to the new requirements and advise you of the steps being taken to inform our customers. The amended regulation becomes effective on October 8, 2010. By that date employers must: Post the updated form DWC-7, Notice to Employees –Injuries Caused by Work… Read More »California Worker’s Compensation Medical Provider Network (MPN) New Requirements Effective October, 2010

WCIRB Violates Open-Access Agreement with Department

Newly discovered documents obtained by Workers’ Comp Executive reveal that the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) is violating both the letter and spirit of the agreement it signed with the California Department of Insurance 16 years ago. WCIRB continues to violate the agreement by denying the public, employers, the Legislature, the executive and regulatory branches of government, and other interested parties access to the information it uses to make its policy and rate recommendations for the insurance commissioner. It has even denied members of its own governing board access to meetings. As the Insurance Department’s one and only designated… Read More »WCIRB Violates Open-Access Agreement with Department

Electronic Health Records and Increased Liability Risk

The benefits of ever increasing information technology part in health records keeping is substantial, yet the Electronic Health Records System (EHRS) also provides with increased liability risks for health care providers as to possible software or hardware problems or user errors. On one hand, a quick transition to digital heath records seems long awaited part of the high-tech change. It may seem surprising that many health care professionals continue to keep notes and prescriptions on paper. Saying that, use of EHRS may result in problems with software bugs, creating additional liability exposures. Congress has made a $19 billion investment in promoting… Read More »Electronic Health Records and Increased Liability Risk

When Citizens Can Bring Private Actions for Alleged Violations in Georgia

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has signed into law a measure that clarifies when citizens can bring private actions for alleged violations of state regulatory law, a moved hailed by tort reform advocates. The Transparency in Lawsuits Protection Act, which the Republican governor signed into law on Wednesday, allows a private right to action only when the state legislation under which the suit is brought expressly allows such a suit. Previous Georgia law left the interpretation of a private right to sue to the courts. Tort reform advocates hailed the change. “Clarity and transparency in legislative intent is critical, especially when… Read More »When Citizens Can Bring Private Actions for Alleged Violations in Georgia