Assembly Bill No. 2883 was approved and filed August 26, 2016 and it’s causing quite a disruption with existing businesses. The bill focuses on revising the exceptions as what a defined “employee” is considered. The existing law states that officers and directors of a private corporation, and working members of a partnership or LLC were not required to be covered under the company workers compensation policy unless they opted to be covered.
However, the Assembly Bill No. 2883 revises the exceptions so that a director or officer is required to be covered under the company policy. There is still a, albeit narrow, definition of exclusion, but if they do fall under this exclusion they can only opt out if they sign a waiver under penalty of perjury and file it with the company insurer. The officer and director must own at least 15% of the issued/outstanding stock or a general partner, partnership or managing member of an LLC to be considered exempt.
The specific changes were put in place to discourage companies from abusing the previous exemption. Many companies were listing all employees as directors or officers to avoid having to purchase workers compensation insurance. By requiring the waiver to be signed under penalty of perjury, they hope to ensure employees are properly covered and protected in the event of a work-related injury.
The new bill affects all polices that will be in effect on or after Jan 1, 2017 including policies in force any time after this date.
For more information on this new bill or to review your current workers compensation policy, contact us today at 831.661.5697.
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Average medical payments for California workers compensation claims increased sharply between 2005 and 2011, although medical cost containment has shifted some medical payment expenditures, the California Workers’ Compensation Institute said Monday.
Oakland, Calif.-based CWCI analyzed data from 1.9 million California workers comp claims between January 2002 and September 2012. Average medical payments for indemnity claims rose to $6,845 in 2011, up 60.2% from $4,273 in 2005, CWCI said.
Meanwhile, average medical payments for all California workers comp claims climbed to $2,543 in 2011, up 51.7% from $1,677 in 2005.
Average payments for indemnity claims that included pharmaceuticals and durable medical equipment between 2005 and 2011 rose 187.6% to $801, the report said. Average pharmaceutical and durable medical equipment payments for all California workers comp claims during that time increased 171.3% to $276.
The report showed that medical treatment represented 73% of medical payment costs in 2011, compared with 79.4% in 2005. However, medical cost containment expenses represented 13.9% of medical payment costs in 2011, compared with 11.6% in 2005.
CWCI said early analysis of 2012 claims showed that average medical payments for workers comp claims showed “marginal” declines in the first three and six months after an occupational injury.
Scurich Insurance Services has proudly served the Monterey Bay area since 1924. Scurich will take care of all of your insurance needs. Are you a business owner, did you get a new car or maybe you are looking to protect your family in the event of a tragedy? Give us a call, we can help!
We are located at:
Scurich Insurance Services
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
Information provided by: http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20130827/NEWS08/130829850?tags=|305|304|92
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