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Poizner Rejects Proposal for California Workers' Comp Insurance Rate Hikes
By Lonce LaMon - November 13, 2009

California Insurance Commissioner, Steve Poizner, rejected on Monday a recommended 22.8 percent increase on base workers' compensation premiums that was presented by the WCIRB (Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau).  This is the second time this year that Poizner has rejected a proposed work comp rate increase.  The first one rejected was in July for 23.7 percent.

Poizner's salient and overwhelming concern is that an increase would exacerbate California's unemployment problem. The unemployment rate was over 12 percent in September, and may have continued to increase in October.

"One in eight Californians is unemployed," Poizner said. "Countless others are also suffering and have either given up looking because they cannot find work or have taken part-time jobs while they seek full-time work.  Any increase in costs for employers will only make our already dire economic situation worse.

"Given these harsh economic realities, I refuse to rubber stamp double-digit increases to the workers' compensation claims cost benchmark, expecially when I see clear evidence that the cost control reforms from 2003-2004 have yet to be fully implemented.  At the same time, we see those who are self-insured fully implementing the 2003-2004 cost containment measures.  They have proven that a very efficient system that is focused on getting injured workers back to work in a cost-effective manner can be created."

Poizner has proposed a list of 27 things insurers could do to improve their efficiencies and cut costs.

The WCIRB stated that even with the proposed increase, the average pure premium rate would still be fifty-five percent less than the average rate was in July of 2003, just before the onset of SB899.

In spite of Poizner's insistence that insurers should be wringing more efficiencies out of their operations and cutting claims handling and medical costs rather than raising rates, many observers are perplexed by his position and also by the fact that he offered no suggested increase of his own.  A hearing examiner in Poizner's own department proposed a 15.4 percent increase. This was calculated by the examiner to be what is needed to cover increased medical costs and possible jumps in permanent disability awards. 

"I really question the basis of his decision," said Sam Sorich, President of the Association of California Insurance Companies. "To reject the staff recommendation without any contrary quantitative evidence does not seem to be warranted." 

Readers may write to writer Lonce LaMon at lonce@adjustercom.com

 

 
 

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