Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
That’s the one-word synopsis of the state of the line from this year’s NCCI conference. I’d be a bit more positive; especially because the combined ratio is down 7 points to 101. Premiums up for the third year running, and claim … Continue reading The work comp outlook is…balanced
Read More...A week on the road ends today – if flights are on time and the weather gods are merciful. Here’s what I missed while sitting on planes and in airports… This week marked the 103rd anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist … Continue reading Friday’s catch up post
Read More...NCCI’s Dr Harry Shuford gave a great brief talk on the economy’s impact on the financial performance of WC. A few key takeaways. WC is a relatively small part of the overall property and casualty insurance industry (around 11% or … Continue reading WCRI – Shuford on how the economy drives work comp
Read More...Hopefully it isn’t “wither”… There’s been a good deal of reporting on trends in work comp premiums and coverage of late, with a good piece in WorkCompWire on Marsh’s market survey describing a softening market for many employers. The WCW article … Continue reading Whither Work Comp?
Read More...Okay, the easy ones are done. Now it’s on to the tough, out-of-nowhere predictions, the ones that make – or more likely break, any reputation as a prognosticator. 6. Aetna will not sell its work comp business. Even though some … Continue reading Work Comp Predictions for 2014 – Part 2
Read More...Two articles in WorkCompCentral yesterday grabbed my attention. One discussed an 8.7% rate increase recommended by California’s regulators (down from a 9.5% recommended by another group. Part of the increase was attributable to “overall market deterioration, the causes of which … Continue reading Are opioids driving up comp medical costs?
Read More...The good folks at NCCI just published a new study of prescription drugs in workers’ comp; here are a few highlights; the data is from 2011. Narcotic usage increased significantly, from 21% of costs in 2010 to 25% in 2011. … Continue reading NCCI’s latest pharmacy report – the highlights
Read More...I was invited to speak at Montana’s annual Governor’s Conference on Work Comp, and came away with a few brief but telling impressions. Governor Steve Bullock actually came and spoke to the 300+ attendees, and he knew what he was … Continue reading Montana’s progress on work comp
Read More...The days of summer – and particularly August – being slow for the work comp services business are over – at least for this year. Word is the North Dakota state fund aka WSI, has chosen PBM PMSI to handle … Continue reading It’s been a busy summer in the work comp sales world
Read More...We are now getting into the meat of the matter; we are not going to get health care costs under control and quality improved without major structural change in the health care delivery and financing “system”. Several components of PPACA … Continue reading Obamacare and workers’ comp – Part 5 of 9
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