Improving the California workers’ compensation system through research, information, education and representation

The California Workers’ Compensation Institute is a private, nonprofit organization of insurers licensed to write workers' compensation in California, as well as public and private self-insured employers, who serve as associate members. CWCI’s primary function is to generate reliable, objective data that can be used to identify and monitor systemwide trends, assist members in assessing their own operations, and to analyze key issues of interest to the workers’ compensation community and public policymakers. Towards that end, the Institute also produces a wide variety of research publications, provides information and technical training to help industry professionals stay abreast of changes, and serves as a forum where members can consider systemwide issues and reach consensus on practical solutions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ICIS Industry Score Card: Agriculture	DIR Releases 2010 Assessment Rates	CWCI 2009 Regulatory Update Training Manual	Research Update: Post-Reform Attorney Involvement in Workers' Comp
A new CWCI Industry Score Card shows average amounts paid on job injury claims in California's agriculture sector are less than the statewide average for all claims, though the latest figures show average benefit costs are up sharply from the AY 2005 lows.	The DIR has calculated the 2010 assessment rates that California workers' comp insurers must collect from policyholders to cover the budget of the DWC and five related programs, including a new Labor Enforcement & Compliance Fund.	The 200+ page manual from our 2009 regulation seminar - focusing on the QME, MTUS (including chronic pain and post-surgical physical medicine guidelines) and claim audit regs -- is available as a reference and training tool for claims administrators, attorneys, medical case managers and others who need to work within the new regulatory framework.	Initial data on attorney involvement in California workers' comp PD claims from the first 2 years under SB 899 shows a slight decline in the use of attorneys, faster delivery of initial PD payments, a higher claim closure rate, and a marginal increase in 1st-year payments on claims involving attorneys, though the average payments at 24 and 36 months post injury fell slightly.