National – The Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a webinar and release a Medical Price Index Report:
WCRI published its 2026 Medical Price Index for Workers’ Compensation, an annual report that tracks prices paid for medical professional services across 36 states from 2008 through 2025. The index focuses on commonly billed services provided by physicians, physical therapists, and chiropractors, including evaluation and management, physical medicine, surgery, radiology, neurological testing, pain management injections, and emergency care.
Related coverage: A Risk & Insurance article highlights key findings, noting large interstate price variation and emphasizing that fee schedules play a major role in controlling costs.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) released two reports on workplace violence:
- Workplace Assaults (Part 1: Trends, Drivers, and Demographics): Found that nonfatal workplace assaults have increased steadily, rising at an average annual rate of 5.3% from 2011 through 2021–2022 and growing as a share of serious workplace injuries. Assaults are highly concentrated in health care and social assistance and are often driven by interactions with patients or individuals under a worker’s care. Most incidents involve physical acts such as hitting or kicking, and women, who make up a large share of these frontline roles which account for about two-thirds of victims.
- Workplace Homicides (Trends, Drivers, and Demographics): Found that workplace homicides remained relatively stable, totaling about 400–500 cases annually (350–400 in private industry) from 2011–2024 and accounting for roughly 8.5%–9.5% of all workplace fatalities. Incidents were most common in public facing occupations such as transportation, sales, food service, and protective services.
Enlyte released its 2026 Envision Trends Report and found that claims are becoming more complex, costly, and interconnected across workers’ compensation and auto lines. The report shows that rising severity is being driven less by claim frequency and more by increased medical utilization, intensive treatment patterns, and delayed access to care. It also highlights that compounding factors are driving longer claim durations and higher overall costs.
Colorado – HB 1272 was sent to the Governor. As a reminder, HB 1272 would require the Department of Labor and Employment to collect data and develop model guidance for preventing heat-related injuries and illnesses. The bill was assigned to the House Health and Human Service Committee.
Connecticut – HB 5385 was enacted by Governor Ned Lamont late last week. If enacted, the bill would establish an eight-member task force to examine the causes of undue delays in workers’ compensation claims filed by police officers and firefighters, including administrative hurdles, shortages of medical providers, and insurer authorization requirements. The task force would be required to report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2027.
Ohio – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will hold its annual Medical & Health Symposium from September 16–18, 2026. The virtual event will bring together medical and legal professionals for sessions on occupational health and workers’ compensation, including expert-led presentations, continuing education opportunities, and networking. The event is free to attend, although registration is required.
Vermont – Vermont Governor signed S 173 into law this week. As a reminder, S 173 will allow injured workers to request vocational rehabilitation services if their employers do not provide them within 90 days of the worker being out of work. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. effect on July 1, 2026.
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