Innovation is Necessary to Meet the Challenge of COVID in 2022

COVID is the most extensive occupational exposure event in the history of the United States. Workplaces are now primed for a massive wave of compensation claims due to the Omicron variant. A recent study provides a potential opportunity for employers and insurance companies to reduce their risk exposure through early sequencing and treatment proactively.

New Jersey’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $13/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1

New Jersey’s statewide minimum wage will increase by $1 to $13 per hour for most employees, effective January 1, 2022. The increase will be reflected in higher workers’ compensation benefit rates as those are paired with the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW).

Telehealth Extended for Two Years in New Jersey

Governor Murphy yesterday signed legislation (S-2559-12/21/2021 Approved P.L.2021, c.310) that extends for the next two years the requirement adopted at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic that health benefits plans reimburse health care providers for telehealth and telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person services, with limited exceptions. 

NJ Workers’ Compensation Benefit Rates Increase in 2022

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) announced increases in the maximum benefit rates for Unemployment Insurance, Temporary Disability Insurance, Family Leave Insurance, and Workers’ Compensation for the calendar year 2022. The increased rates will be effective for new claims dated January 2, 2022, and later.

Parking Lot Cases to be Compensable Under Legislation Sent to the Governor

The NJ Legislature has passed and sent to the Governor legislation that expands workers’ compensation coverage to parking areas provided by an employer. 

OMG, Omicron!

A panel of infectious disease experts and public health specialists of the Veterans Administration who have been involved in the national COVID response discuss strategies to contain the spread of the Omicron variant and stay safe.

CMS Announces 2022 Workers' Compensation Recovery Threshold to Remain at $750.00

Computation of Annual Recovery Thresholds for Certain Liability Insurance, No-Fault Insurance, and Workers' Compensation Settlements, Judgments, Awards, or Other Payments for 2022 were announced this week.