Workers’ Comp 2007 Growing Challenges Lost 工人Comp 2007不断增长的挑战失去.pptVIP

Workers’ Comp 2007:Growing Challenges ---  Opportunities Lost, Opportunities Ahead Dave Kaplan, WSIA Kris Tefft, AWB Carolyn Logue, NFIB Washington Is A High Cost State For Most Key Industries. Benefits Are High. System Costs Are High. Benefits Are High. Cash benefits are almost twice the national average. Medical benefits are comparable. Self Insured Data Shows:Costs in Washington ARE High. New Challenges Threaten Competitiveness And Fairness Pension Trends System Complexity Cost Increases Can No Longer Be Offset Pension Frequency has skyrocketed with major long-term cost implications --- Washington already had one of the highest rates in the nation. Growing system complexity has led to more costly delays. How Complex is the System?DLI Wage Determination Process How Complex is the System?DLI Wage Determination Process (continued) Costs Increases can no longer be hidden by reduced injuries. Over the last 15 years employers have reduced injuries by 47%. Most of the easy fixes are now done and the trend line has flattened. The 2006 LI Reform Effort: Lost Opportunities The agency package attempted to address several of the major problem areas; little remains. Department’s 2006 Process Department’s 2006 Process DLI Proposed a New Wage Calculation Model to Simplify, Add Fairness Wage at Time of Injury for Initial Period Average Wage for Long-Term Calculation Flat Rate Wage Replacement Benefit Department’s 2006 Process DLI Proposed a new definition of “occupational disease” to add fairness and reduce litigation surrounding occupational diseases leading to pensions. Clarified in statute that diseases caused by natural aging or conditions outside the workplace are not allowed. Department’s 2006 Process DLI Proposed a Study of the Pension System Trends and Cost Drivers Make Recommendations to Support a Sound, Stable Pension System Department’s 2006 Process What Remains of Process? Addressing “claims suppression” No data to support Serious due process issues