National – Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host an hour-long webinar on May 2, 2024, from 2 -3 pm ET. The webinar will discuss the impact of vertical integration on prices, medical utilization, and outcomes. Registration is required. WCRI members and legislators the webinar will be free, non WCRI members will pay $50. To register and learn more click here.
Alabama – HB 435 expands the list of jobs considered under “first responders” who die in the performance of official duties, to allow state death benefits to beneficiaries. HB 435 expands first responders to include coroners, deputy coroners, medicolegal death investigators, and medical examiners.
Connecticut – HB 5279 remains in the House. This week the bill was referred to the Committee on Planning and Development. As a reminder, if passed, HB 5279 would expand workers’ compensation to include deaths or disabilities resulting from a cerebrovascular incident or pulmonary embolism for firefighters or police officers and would expand the time when an officer or firefighter is considered in the line of duty to start twenty-four (24) hours after attending training or engaging in duties.
Kentucky – Governor Andy Beshear signed HB 401 this week. HB 401 amends the definition of physician within the workers’ compensation process. This amended definition also authorizes physicians to testify in workers' compensation hearings if they are, or were, licensed in Kentucky and are in good standing with the state.
Louisiana – Two bills in the Louisiana House are scheduled for a hearing this week:
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- HB 579 was scheduled for floor debate on 4/10/2024. As a reminder, the bill would allow pharmacists to dispense HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis.
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- HB 198 was scheduled for 4/11/2024. As a reminder, the bill would require doctors to be paid 150% of the Medicare rate or actual charged rates, whichever is less. Current rates are the mean of U&C charges.
New York – Two bills were introduced this week in the Assembly A9764 and A9804. A9764, if passed, would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from penalizing pharmacies for proving prescription medication costs to patients. A9804 amends the workers’ compensation law to allow COVID-19 death claims of essential employees that were previously denied or not timely filed to be reopened.
S 8992 was introduced in the Senate this week. S 8992 aims to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical manufacturers from discriminating against New York state pharmacies and covered entities when participating in the drug discount program authorized in the Federal Public Health Service Act, section 340B.
Maryland – Governor Wes Moore this week enacted SB 476 which would expand the list of cancers that are presumed to be compensable for firefighters and other public safety workers. The bill adds thyroid, colon, and ovarian cancer to state they were caused by contact with a toxic substance in the line of duty.
South Carolina – State Senator Scott Talley (R) introduced S 1239 in the Senate. S 1239 would require patients who want to utilize mail-order pharmacies to sign waivers.
Texas – Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation is reviewing chapters 120, 122, and 124 in Title 28 Texas Administrative Code. These chapters include compensation procedures for employers and claimants and insurance notices, payments, and reporting. The notice of proposed review will be published on April 12, 2024, here. The deadline to submit comments is 5 pm CT on May 13, 2024, and can be submitted to rulecomments@tdi.texas.gov.
Virginia – The Virginia Governor enacted SB 660 which will be effective July 1, 2024. As a reminder, SB 660 would penalize anyone who did not obtain a license before providing pharmacy benefits management (PBM) services with a civil penalty of $5,000 for each day on which such violation occurs.
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