Changes Urged for NJ Workers' Compensation System

The NJ 2017 Gubernatorial election results have not even been reported and major changes to the NJ Workers' Compensation system are already being urged. A leading practitioner in the workers' compensation arena is urging the adoption of a pure wage-loss system to replace the scheduled and time-limited disability benefits now embodied in the Act, and an employee choice of physician statute to replace the present employer directed system.

Electronic Medical Bills for Workers' Compensation Claims

The State of NJ has recently adopted an "electronic medical bill" process. N.J.S.A. 34:15-144, P.L 2016, c. 64. On October 16, 2017, Regulations were proposed to implement the Statute. Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon.  The deadline for written comments is December 15, 2017.

Guidelines for Medical Provider Claims - A Valuable Approach

While the vast majority of jurisdictions in the US have the guidance of mandatory workers' compensation medical fee schedules, New Jersey remains one of the very few with no such structure. As I reported earlier, this generates multiple issues in the claims process and creates costly delays in the adjudication of disputes.

The Inherent Judicial Power of Judges of Compensation

A Judge of Compensation has the discretion to call and question witnesses in pending cases. A NJ Appellate Court affirmed the trial court award of additional weeks of temporary disability,  the imposition of a 25% penalty for unreasonable and negligent delay in defending the case and 20% counsel fees.

2018 Social Security Changes - COLA Increases

The Social Security Administration has announced based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2016 through the third quarter of 2017, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a 2.0 percent COLA for 2018.

NASI Study: Employers & Employees Lose With Workers' Compensation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Workers’ compensation employer costs as a share of payroll declined in 2015, reversing a four-year trend, and benefits as a share of payroll fell for the fourth straight year, according to a new report from the National Academy of Social Insurance (the Academy).

Some Surprising 2016 SSA-DIB Statistics

Size and Scope of the Social Security Disability Program

1. Disability benefits were paid to almost 10.2 million people. 
2. Awards to disabled workers (706,448) accounted for 88 percent of awards to all disabled beneficiaries (799,330). 
3. In December, payments to disabled beneficiaries totaled more than $11.3 billion. 
4. Benefits were terminated for 820,372 disabled workers. 
5. Supplemental Security Income payments were another source of income for about one out of six disabled beneficiaries. 

 Profile of Disabled-Worker Beneficiaries 

1. Workers accounted for the largest share of disabled beneficiaries (87 percent). 
2. The average age was 54. 
3. Men represented less than 52 percent. 
4. The largest category of diagnoses was diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (32.3 percent). 
5. Average monthly benefit received was $1,171.15. 
6. Supplemental Security Income payments were another source of income for about one out of eight. 

Preface

Since 1956, the Social Security program has provided cash bene ts to people with disabilities. This annual report provides program and demographic information about the people who receive those benefits. The basic topics covered are— beneficiaries in current-payment status;

• workers’ compensation and public disability benefits; 
• benefitts awarded, withheld, and terminated; 
• disabled workers who have returned to work; 
• outcomes of applications for disability bene ts; and 
• disabled beneficiaries receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or both.