Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
I’ve always been a ‘non-advocate’ of tight fee schedules and broad based discounted networks. Actually it’s a little more than that – I believe mandated across-the-board low fees are counterproductive, ill-conceived, harmful, and may actually increase costs while decreasing access … Continue reading What happens when a fee schedule goes up?
Read More...I’m attending the annual WCRI meeting in Boston today and tomorrow, and will be blogging from the meeting. For those not up on all things workers comp, the workers comp research institute is, along with NCCI and the CWCI, among … Continue reading WCRI conference report – how’s Texas doing?
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Read More...Well, are workers comp rates softening, hardening, or just right? According to a study released at this year’s annual RIMS conference (held in Honolulu…), the market is softening. I’m not sure I buy that, and here’s why. There are lots … Continue reading Workers comp rates: hard? soft? just right?
Read More...My firm, Health Strategy Associates, is conducting the Third Annual Survey of Prescription Drug Management in Workers Comp, and I’m hoping to have the final report completed before the end of April. Here are a couple of interesting bits that … Continue reading Survey of Prescription Drug Management in Workers Comp
Read More...OK, congratulations to Massachusetts’ legislators and governor for creating the nation’s first potentially viable universal coverage program. While everyone is busy congratulating each other, (free registration required) I hate to be the one to harsh their mellow. But so I … Continue reading Why Massachusetts’ “universal health care” program will not work
Read More...California’s workers comp rate roller-coaster looks to be poised to make another steep drop. The combination of the national decrease in claims frequency and the impact of reforms have led to drastic decreases in comp rates, with more likely on … Continue reading Why is California’s workers comp injury rate dropping?
Read More...The extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act was met with lukewarm enthusiasm by the insurance industry, for good reason. However, it was likely the best that could be obtained given the strong political desire on the part of Congress … Continue reading TRIA extension provisions’ impact
Read More...Managed Care Matters is a year old. Starting with the first day’s posts on the use of oxycontin in workers comp and Coventry’s acquisition of First Health, the blog has covered topics ranging from international pharmaceutical pricing to the investment … Continue reading Managed Care Matters is a year old
Read More...The cost of workplace injuries in the US topped $50 billion in 2003, despite a 6.3% drop in the injury rate. These results continue a long-running trend of declining frequency that is more than offset by medical inflation. The often-asked … Continue reading Medical cost inflation in workers comp
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