Oakland, CA – Migraine Drugs represented less than 1% of all prescriptions dispensed to California injured workers in 2023 but they consumed 4.7% of workers’ compensation drug payments, a nearly 8-fold increase since 2018, which a California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) study links to the emergence of several high-cost brand drugs that are not listed […]
Are Migraine Drugs Becoming a New WC Cost Driver? Read Post »
Oakland, CA – California’s State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) rose nearly 3.8 percent in the year ending March 31, 2024, which will increase California workers’ compensation temporary total disability (TTD) and permanent total disability (PTD) rates for 2025 work injury claims and other workers’ compensation benefits that are tied to SAWW increases. The latest wage
SAWW Increase Bumps California WC Benefits for 2025 Read Post »
Oakland, CA – The decline in opioid use in California workers’ compensation has outpaced the decline among the state’s overall population according to a new California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) analysis of 2017-2023 opioid prescription data from the California Department of Justice’s Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) database. The analysis builds on
Opioid Prescribing for Injured Workers in California: 2017-2023 Read Post »
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is a crucial process in the workers’ compensation system. It provides an objective evaluation of an injured worker’s medical condition. A medical professional who is not involved in the treatment of the worker conducts the IME. They play a vital role in resolving disputes. They also determine the appropriate course
Independent Medical Examination (IME) Read Post »
AME – QME: In the realm of workers’ compensation, it is crucial for both injured workers and employers to understand the roles of medical evaluators. Two key terms often encountered are Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) and Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). While they both serve the purpose of evaluating injured workers, there are significant differences between
AME – QME in Workers’ Compensation Read Post »
The Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) is a program. It is designed to provide additional compensation to workers with a pre-existing disability or condition. It offers aid to those who then suffer a new work-related injury. This injury worsens their overall disability. The program’s aim is to protect employers from bearing the entire financial
Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) Read Post »
Understanding Qualified Medical Evaluations A Qualified Medical Evaluation (QME) involves a state-certified medical professional conducting a specialized assessment to determine the nature and extent of an injured worker’s medical condition. These evaluations are crucial in workers’ compensation cases, as they help resolve disputes between the injured worker and their employer or insurer. Disagreements may arise
Qualified Medical Evaluation (QME) Read Post »
