Legislature hears workers' comp bills in week four of session
The Washington State Legislature wrapped up its almost-first-month of action today, and in workers' compensation, a few smaller bills received some action, including a claimants' bar effort to restrict the social security offset on time loss and pension payments, an effort to clarify who covers workers' comp for prison labor, and an effort to give State Fund employers more notice of settlement talks in third party actions. Of the three, the social security offset bill was voted out of the House Labor Committee for further consideration in the process.
Major occupational disease presumption bills up next week in Olympia
In addition to the bills receiving consideration this week, three significant proposals are slated for committee hearing next Thursday in the House and Senate, and all three focus on presumptive coverage for occupational disease. House Bill 1723 targets the self-insured US Department of Energy Hanford nuclear site, and would provide presumptive coverage to an exceptionally broad array of workers for a substantial number of conditions. House Bill 1655 and Senate Bill 5477 both expand presumptive coverage for law enforcement and firefighters, the former with respect to stress-related claims like PTSD, and the latter with respect to a new list of infections, cancers, and cardiovascular conditions.
>> Did you know: Members of WSIA's legislative and legal committee e-mail lists get a weekly update and bill tracking sheet most weeks when the Legislature is in session, covering all the action. Interested in being added? Drop me a line - or click here to follow along on our website (member login req'd).
WSIA Spring Conference registration now open
This week marked open registration for our 2017 Spring Conference, "Applying Evidence-Based Medicine in Workers' Compensation," taking place all day March 17th at the Embassy Suites in Bellevue. Spring Conference focuses on medical management and disability prevention, and we have a fantastic lineup of medical and legal presenters, plus exhibitors and great networking. Check the details here and be sure to get your registration in early.
L&I alerts community to changes in EDI technical requirements
Yesterday, Labor & Industries alerted the self-insured community to changed in the medical requirements table for the coming Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) component of the new Self-Insurance Risk Analysis System (SIRAS). The Department has asked that the links to the technical changes be passed along to the responsible person for overseeing reporting of medical bill data. If you missed the announcement and need instructions to comply, read it here.
WSIA Safety Committee to meet next Thursday
Our next monthly Safety Committee meeting is coming up next Thursday, February 9th form 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., and takes place exclusively over the GoToMeeting online platform. Topics for discussion will center on a committee's goal for 2017 which is increasing worker involvement in safety measures and leadership, as well as establishing safety committees, goal setting, and engaging new members. March's meeting, in turn, will focus on early reporting and new requirements for OSHA reporting. Safety Committee meetings are open to any WSIA members. If you have questions or topics to discuss, contact chair John Shervey, or click here to get the link for the online meeting.
Need L&I recertification credits? Come to Complex Claims Feb. 15-16
We're just under two weeks away from our Industrial Insurance University's next major claims management training, Complex Claims, which is a two day deep dive into advanced claims management issues, taught interactively by a panel of legal, vocational, and claims experts. The Department awarded this year's edition a bevy of continuing education units, with 8.5 claims management, 4.5 legal, and 1 general. This training also inaugurates our new live webcast option where you can attend in person or at your desk for one or both days of the training. There's still room in both options, so click here for more information & registration.
Don't miss John Klor's complimentary Legal Year in Review webinar Feb. 23
Finally, WSIA Legal Committee chair John Klor is back with his popular annual legal year in review webinar, taking place on February 23 and limited to the first one-hundred free-for-members registrations. Slots are filling up so click here to reserve yours.
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