A recent article in Insurance Journal pointed out that, while 2012 was a rather busy year in workers’ compensation legislation–with a major reform to state law having been passed–2013 was, by comparison, a rather slow year.
This year, workers’ comp legislation included laws on pharmaceutical compounding, funding for prescription drug monitoring, and a law preventing out-of-state athletes from filing claims. We have written previously about the changes brought about by the new law affecting athletes’ injury compensation, but less on the other changes.
Among the measures passed by the California Assembly was one which prohibits pharmacies without a proper license to compound or dispense certain drugs and requires pharmacies compounding these products for use in California to have the same license.
Another measure targeted physicians suspected of overprescribing by allowing the state medical board more power to access patient medical records. Overprescribing has been found to be a problem affecting the workers’ compensation system. Other measures include allowing death benefits for dependent children and preventing employers from passing policies that do not allow employees to voluntarily offer life-saving medical help to an injured party.
Workers’ comp is an important resource for those who’ve been harmed at work, and new legislation is always hopefully aimed at protecting the integrity of the program and the safety of workers. Those who have been through the process know that things don’t always go smoothly. In some cases, workers do not receive the coverage they should. In such situations, it can be helpful to consult a legal professional to determine the best way to resolve the issue.
Source: Insurance Journal, “Interesting but Quiet Year for California Lawmakers on Workers’ Comp,” Don Jergler, October 15, 2013.