Copyright
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
AIG Claims Conspiracy by Liberty and Hartford
CMS Terminates Voluntary WC Data Match Program
"This voluntary reporting arrangement has now ended. On July 1, 2009, Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act (the MMSEA) became effective for Workers’ Compensation insurance coverage. As of that date, the reporting of Workers’ Compensation information in support of Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) determinations by CMS became mandatory. All existing voluntary reporting arrangements involving Workers’ Compensation programs are now null and void.
"July 1, 2009, is the date Section 111 reporting became effective, but it is not the date that states will begin to report Workers’ Compensation information under the Section 111 requirements. In summary, states that will be reporting Workers’ Compensation data through the Section 111 process are required to register for Section 111 reporting by September 30, 2009. The testing of the electronic data exchange process will start January 1, 2010. The first “production” file exchanges will start April 1, 2010.
"The process for arranging Section 111 reporting, and all the reporting timeline benchmarks that have been established are described in full on the Section 111 Website, www.cms.hhs.gov/mandatoryinsrep . The current version of the “NGHP User Guide” and additional instructions needed to report Workers’ Compensation information are located on the Website’s “Liability Insurance, Self-Insurance, No-Fault Insurance and Workers Compensation (NGHP)” page."
Friday, September 25, 2009
CMS Updates Submission Process for WCMSAs
Based on the results, CMS will be moving forward with its plan to make available a secure Internet web-based portal or interface for the WCMSA submission process."
NY Opens 1 Year Window for 9/11 Claims
I The risk for developing probable PTSD was higher among those who were:
• Caught in the dust cloud released by the buildings as they collapsed
• Injured as a result of the attacks
• Directly exposed to the events of 9/11, including proximity to the WTC site, witnessing horrific events and knowing someone who was killed or injured in the attacks
• Among rescue and recovery workers, working at the WTC site for a long time or doing tasks outside of their trained area of expertise.
I Several studies indicated that respiratory symptoms, sinus problems, asthma, and loss of lung function were found in people or reported by some who were exposed to WTC dust, including rescue and recovery workers, residents and evacuees. Other studies have suggested that risk of developing sarcoidosis (an inflammation that usually affects the lungs) was elevated in the first few years after the event. Many exposed adults were also diagnosed with or reported having heartburn, acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), often in conjunction with other respiratory or mental health symptoms. GERD is a common condition among the general population, however; further research is needed to understand the association between GERD, WTC exposure and other WTC-related health conditions.
I The risk for developing respiratory problems has been examined most thoroughly among rescue, recovery and clean-up workers, and was increased among those who:
• Arrived early at the WTC site • Worked at the WTC site for long periods of time.
I Few studies addressed the impact of WTC exposure on child and adolescent health, especially physical health.
I Whether there is a relationship between WTC exposure and other longer-term illnesses, including cancer, is unknown but clinicians, epidemiologists and other researchers are actively studying this. They also are studying the relationship between WTC exposure and mortality.
I At the time of the report’s publication last year, treatment for WTC-related conditions was available for exposed groups, including children and adolescents, in the NewYork City area."
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Medical Costs Soar in the US $55.4 Billion Workers’ Compensation Business
The costs of the workers’ compensation medical care nationally now represents 49% ($27.2 Billion) of the benefit package. Cash benefits grew a modest .8% over last year.
For about medical benefits and Workers’ Compensation click here.
Risk Assessments for Asbestos Present Difficulties
For decades asbestos has been known human carcinogen and major health hazard causally related to asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. It is still not banned in the United States. Recent efforts to provide statistics assessments of the hazard haven’t proven to be unsuccessful.