CA saves billions in workers' comp

According to a new study, the Sacramento Bee reported Feb. 4, California's major reform of its workers' compensation system has resulted in savings of $8.1 billion since 2003. In the early 2000s California's work comp premiums were the nation's highest. Then, the article states:

Because of soaring insurance rates, the Legislature approved a series of cost-cutting measures that included new medical-fee schedules, uniform guidelines on treatment and benefit payments, new HMO-style physician networks and a new formula to calculate permanent disability benefits.

Now workers' comp insurance rates are at their lowest level since 1996.

The study was released by California's Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC). DWC's Feb. 2 press release announcing the study also reported that 2006 insurance rates have decreased by 46 percent.

A Study of the Effects of Legislative Reforms on California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rates
     Available in pdf, full report (zip file, 4.34MB) and in sections

Executive summary (pdf, 324KB, 10p.)

Both from the California Division of Workers' Compensation