DIR Unveils Plan to Address $10.5 Billion SIBTF Deficit
- The California Department of Industrial Relations has proposed legislative reforms for the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) in response to rising costs.
- The suggested changes include stricter eligibility, such as a five-year claim filing limit and a requirement that the primary injury achieve a 35% impairment rating.
- These measures are intended to address the fund’s $10.5 billion unfunded liability.
- The proposal also features administrative reforms like caps on attorney fees and standardized medical-legal evaluations.
Colorado Implements New Workers’ Compensation Fee Schedules and Medical Standards for 2026
- Colorado’s workers’ compensation rules saw significant changes on January 1, 2026, including updated medical fee schedules and an increased mileage reimbursement rate of $0.63 per mile.
- New utilization standards effective July 1, 2025, removed requirements for in-person exams within the initial three visits after an injury.
- Although a law expanding physician choice was enacted, its full implementation is postponed until 2028 pending task force evaluation.
- Electronic billing for medical claims also shifted to HIPAA X12 standards this year.
New Washington Law Mandates 15-Day Deadline for Workers’ Comp Claim File Requests
- Washington State Senate Bill 5059 mandates that employers and third-party administrators furnish workers’ compensation claimants with their entire claim files upon receiving a written request.
- This new legislation requires these documents to be provided electronically or in hard copy within 15 business days without charge to the worker.
- Previously, accessing such documentation through the state could involve delays of months or require payment of fees.
- Non-compliance with the 15-day timeframe could lead to fines up to $1,000 for each violation.