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

BENEFIT INCREASES FOR 2010	Changes in Medical Payments, AY 2002 to 2007 Claims Experience	New QME Panel Request Forms Required as of May 19, 2009	Research Update: Average TD Payouts at 12 and 24 Months Approach Pre-SB 899 Levels
California's State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) rose just under 3 percent last year, which will trigger an increase in both the minimum and maximum temporary total disability (TTD) rates for 2010 work injuries, as well as other workers' comp benefits that are tied to the SAWW.	A new CWCI study shows significant increases in California workers' comp medical payments since AY 2005, with amounts paid for treatment, pharmaceuticals and durable medical equipment, med-legal reports, and medical management all on the rise.	The DWC Medical Unit reminds all concerned parties that any Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) panel requests submitted on QME Form 105 or 106, postmarked on or after May 19, 2009, must be on the most recently adopted forms, which read "rev. February 2009" at the bottom left corner of the form.	Updated CWCI research on post-reform temporary disability claim experience shows that even though average TD payments at 12 and 24 months are still less than they were prior to SB 899, they have been increasing since AY 2005, with the average amounts of TD paid on recent lost-time claims almost back up to pre-reform levels