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Insurance

Texas workers’ comp offices aim to handle complaints faster

11/01/2006

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), Division of Workers’ Compensation, recently changed its complaint resolution process by going paperless. To improve its response time to complaints, the workers’ comp office will begin using an automated workflow system …

Use snail mail, not e-mail, to file unemployment appeal

11/01/2006

While it may seem convenient to use e-mail to file appeals of unemployment compensation decisions, be aware of this risk: If the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review doesn’t receive your e-mail, your appeal will be rejected when the 15-day appeal period expires …

Employer-Provided Health Coverage Declines in Pennsylvania

11/01/2006

The number of Pennsylvania employees under age 65 who are covered by an employer-sponsored health insurance plan declined by 5.1 percent between 1999 and 2005. In the same years, employer-provided coverage for families with children under age 18 declined by 8 percent …

Independence Blue Cross plans changes to drug program

11/01/2006

Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross plans to unveil its new prescription plan provided through Future Scripts. The pharmacy benefits management company will administer Independence Blue Cross prescription benefit plans …

State sets 2007 benefit levels for UI, disability and workers’ comp

11/01/2006

The New Jersey Department of Labor recently announced the 2007 benefit levels for unemployment insurance, disability insurance and workers’ compensation. Under New Jersey law, those benefits are adjusted annually, based on fluctuations in the statewide average weekly wage …

More states require insurance firms to cover certain medical tests, treatments

11/01/2006

Despite calls for a moratorium on such mandates, state legislatures continue to require that insurance companies cover specific tests and treatments, which leads to increases in employer health premiums …

Workers’ comp liability for aging employees

11/01/2006

Q. One of our employees is over age 70 and has had a broken foot, memory problems and a recent car wreck that caused some residual problems. Should we allow her to work? What can we do (if anything) to protect ourselves from potential workers’ comp claims should she injure herself?

Opting out of workers’ comp? You risk negligence lawsuit

10/01/2006

The federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which regulates employee benefit plans, usually covers employees’ claims related to their benefits. However, Texas employers who opt out of the state workers’ compensation program may receive a nasty surprise …

Outsourcing training? You’ll still pay for injuries

10/01/2006

If you outsource employee training programs that include self-defense or other physically demanding work, be aware that the waivers signed by your employees may mean you will have to pay for any injuries …

On-the-job fatalities increase in Texas, bucking national trend

10/01/2006

Texas employers recorded 495 fatal occupational injuries last year, compared to 440 fatalities in 2004, a 12.5 percent increase, according to a newly released annual report from the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) …