September 22, 2014 California Workers Compensation: Trends
Speakers Michael Sullivan General Managing Partner Michael Sullivan & Associates LLP mike@sullivanattorneys.com (310) 337-4480 Mark Priven, FCAS, MAAA Director Regulatory & Alternative Risk Consulting Bickmore mpriven@bickmore.net (916) 244-1161
Speakers Edward Canavan Vice President Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. Edward.Canavan@sedgwickcms.com (909) 354-6922 Dan Bagan Region Risk Manager, West Region, Freight and SCS UPS dbagan@ups.com (714) 999-6253
Workers Compensation California The Golden State
Workers Compensation California The Golden State Before and After: SB 863??
California Workers Compensation The Landscape Competitive Extended payout pattern High claim frequency
CA WC: Background Competitive WCIRB Report on 12/31/13 insurer experience, Exhibit 5
CA WC: Background Percentage of Medical Paid by Year After Injury California vs. Other States Percentile 75% 65% 55% 45% 35% 25% 15% California Highest 80% 60% 40% 20% Lowest 5% -5% Year of Injury Year Following Injury Subsequent Years NCCI Annual Statistical Bulletin, 2011, Exhibit IX.
California Workers Compensation High Claim Frequency 60.0% 40.0% 20.0% OSHA 0.0% -20.0% -40.0% -60.0% -80.0% Cases Recorded Lost Time TTD PPD PTD *WC frequency based on NCCI 2012 Statistical Bulletin: Nationwide ex California excludes monopolistic states, only states with 3-day waiting period, weighted by employment (2008/09). **OSHA 2011 data from BLS (private & public sectors).
California Workers Compensation Prereform 60.0% 40.0% 20.0% 0.0% -20.0% Size of PD Rates -40.0% *PPD based on NCCI 2012 Statistical Bulletin: Nationwide ex California excludes monopolistic states, weighted by employment PPD benefits adjusted to California average weekly wage **Filed rates based on 2012 OR DCBS study, weighted by CA payroll
California Workers Compensation High Rates
CA WC: Background Paid Medical Management and Cost Containment per Indemnity Claim 2,000 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200-24 Months from Date of Injury: Average Annual Increase = 24% 980 632 1,299 871 1,564 1,042 1,883 1,237 1,440 12 Months from Date of Injury: Average Annual Increase = 23% 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Accident Year CWCI: Analysis of Medical and Indemnity Benefit Payments, Exhibit 2B, page 14
CA WC: Background Filed Loss Adjustment Expense as a Percentage of Loss California vs. Other States 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% California: WCIRB Projection 7/1/12 = 25.6% 17.7% 18.9% 20.1% 15.7% 13.2% 26.4% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Lowest 20% 40% 60% 80% Highest State Percentile Ranking NCCI Annual Statistical Bulletin, 2011, Exhibit VI
Key Elements of SB 863: Permanent Disability Permanent disability reformed Increases Elimination of 15% adjustment Elimination of certain add-ons Elimination of FEC factor (addressed Ogilvie) Return-to-work fund
Key Elements of SB 863: Medical Treatment Medical treatment limitations Statutory limits on treatment Limits on chiropractors Limits on home healthcare Medical provider network changes
Key Elements of SB 863: Fees Fee schedules RBRVS Hardware for spinal surgery Ambulatory surgical centers Copy services Interpreters Home health services Vocational
Key Elements of SB 863: UR and IMR Utilization review and independent medical review (IMR) UR changes IMR process IMR appeal Dubon
Key Elements of SB 863: Billing Process Independent bill review Submission requirements Second review Independent bill-review process Amendments to fee schedules
Key Elements of SB 863: Liens Lien reform Activation and filing fee Limitations on time to file liens End of zombie liens Redefining interpreters
California Workers Compensation Reform Results (so far ) Overall: 2013 rates lowered by 3% Liens IMR Ambulatory surgical centers Spinal surgical implant hardware Claim frequency
CA vs. NCCI Workers Compensation Number of Liens Filed Thousands 1,400 1,200 1,179 1,000 800 600 400 200 464 186-2011 2012 2013 WCIRB Annual Workers Compensation Conference 2014
CA vs. NCCI Workers Compensation Number of IMR Requests WCIRB Annual Workers Compensation Conference 2014
California Workers Compensation Other SB 863 Ambulatory surgical centers Spinal surgical implant hardware
CA Workers Compensation Percent Change Indemnity Claim Frequency 10.0 5.0 0.0 (5.0) 1.0 (1.5) (3.0) (2.3) (3.8) (1.9) 7.0 (1.0) 0.7 4.9 4.6 (10.0) (6.7) (6.4) (15.0) (20.0) (17.0) (13.9) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Accident Year WCIRB Annual Workers Compensation Conference 2014 2012 based on unit stat plan. 2013, 2014 based on claim counts and statewide employment estimates
CA vs. NCCI Workers Compensation Percent Change Indemnity Claim Frequency 10.0 5.0 0.0-5.0-10.0-15.0-20.0-1.5-3.0-4.5-4.1-3.7-17.0-13.9-6.6-4.5-6.4-2.3-2.2-3.8-4.3-1.9-5.9 7.0 3.5-1.0-1.0 0.7-6.1 4.9 4.6 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Accident Year CA NCCI -2.0 WCIRB Annual Workers Compensation Conference 2014 NCCI estimates are based on the May 8, 2014 State of the Line Presentation (NCCI 2013 estimate is preliminary and the 2010 and 2011 estimates have been adjusted to remove the impact of audit premium and other factors).
CA Workers Compensation: Regional Impact Indemnity Claim Frequency Index 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.75 0.70 0.65 0.60 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Accident Year Bay Area Other Regions Los Angeles NCCI WCIRB Annual Workers Compensation Conference 2014
The Plan Going Forward Proposed legislative fixes Administrative adaptation Pending cases
Questions?