HB 373 passed the Senate on Wednesday June 25 in a 20-0 vote. NFIB/DE supported this bill which will lower workers compensation costs.
HB 373 will make substantial changes to Titles 18 and 19 of the Delaware Code designed to control the level of workers’ compensation premiums in Delaware including:
- a 33% reduction in medical costs to the workers’ compensation system, phased in over a period of three years
- absolute caps, expressed as a percentage of Medicare per-procedure reimbursements, on all workers’ compensation medical procedures beginning on January 1, 2017
- increased independence for the Ratepayer Advocate who represents ratepayers during the workers compensation rate approval process and for the committee that oversees the cost control practices of individual workers compensation insurance.
Although further reforms will be needed, NFIB supported this bill which will be an improvement over the current system.
This
legislation is the result of collaborated efforts by Delaware’s Workers’
Compensation Task Force. The Task Force was created January 30, 2013 by the
General Assembly and the Governor Jack
Markell, and was chaired by Lt. Governor Matt
Denn. The Task Force, comprised of business and legislative leaders, who
have worked hard to address the dramatic increase in Delaware’s workers’
compensation premiums. HB 373 is a direct result of the Task Force’s
recommendations. To view the May 15, 2014 Task Force Report to the Governor and
General Assembly, click
here.
STAY
INFORMED – The Task Force plans hold public meetings this Fall as they continue to address
the concern of the length of time worker’ compensation claims stay open. If you
would like to be kept apprised of these meetings and opportunities to get
involved with this issue, contact NFIB Delaware Member Support Manager Miranda
Bond at [email protected], (866)
635-0670.
