Archive for October, 2003

Fraud or lack of worksite controls?

Monday, October 6th, 2003

Minnesota is getting tough on fraud. They estimate that about 10% of all claims are fraudulent. If fraud is that high in the state, it’s a clear sign that employers aren’t making the most of basic worksite controls – communicating and establishing expectations with employees, managing injuries immediately, bringing employees back on RTW. Generally, in our experience, when fraud is high, employer controls are being underutilized.

TX WC Council eliminated after funds slashed

Friday, October 3rd, 2003

State budget woes are taking a toll on Texas. Recently, the Research and Oversight Council (ROC) on Workers’ Compensation announced it would be closing shop after a line item veto of funding by Governor Rick Perry.

Gene Acua, a spokesman in the governor’s office, says the governor felt the agency’s operation was not cost-justified. The ROC had requested $979,290 for fiscal year 2004 and an additional $979,290 for fiscal year 2005.

Apparently, many of ROC’s functions will be transferred to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) through a memorandum of understanding. We’ll have to see if the research reports and Texas Monitor continue.