| |
NewsThe health consequences of being out of work for a claimant can be worse than smoking
By Lonce Lamonte - August 20, 2025A chief medical officer at Ascellus, a behavioral health provider for injured workers based in Tennessee, said that when a worker is injured, "The health consequences, emotionally and physically, of being out of work are worse than smoking."
That's a pretty extreme, and way-out statement. He went on with "From a purely statistical perspective, you're better off being at work and smoking than you are being out of work."
|
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara urges evacuees from Canyon and Gifford fires to inquire immediately about insurance reimbursement for evacuation costs
By Lonce Lamonte, journalist, with news release from the California Department of Insurance - August 8, 2025Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is urging the thousands of Californians ordered to evacuate due to the Canyon, Gifford, and other fires to contact their insurance providers regarding possible reimbursement for evacuation and relocation expenses. Homeowner or renter insurance may cover these costs under Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage, which typically includes expenses for food, housing, furniture rental, relocation, storage, and additional transportation.
“When our firefighters say it’s time to evacuate, you need to go. Cost should not be an obstacle... "
|
California Division of Workers' Compensation posts update to proposed Utilization Review regulations
By Lonce Lamonte, editor from adjustercom editing and publishing the news from the DWC Newsline - July 30, 2025On June 6, 2025, following extensive public comment, the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) submitted a rulemaking package to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) that proposed significant changes to the utilization review (UR) process.
On July 22, 2025, OAL notified DWC of its disapproval of the entire package based on five specific proposed amendments that required further clarity and two that required additional notice; OAL formally issued its Decision of Disapproval on July 28, 2025 (“OAL Decision”). Pursuant to Government Code section 11349.4(a), the OAL Decision allows DWC to resubmit a revised regulation package to correct the identified deficiencies within 120 days of receipt of the OAL Decision.
|
Judge sides with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, upholding authority to protect consumers and stabilize the California FAIR Plan
By Lonce Lamonte, editor and publisher from adjustercom, editing the news release from the California Department of Insurance - July 23, 2025Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara released a statement following a judge’s dismissal of Consumer Watchdog’s unfounded claims aimed at undermining the California insurance market at a crucial time when homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profits need access to more insurance, not less.
“The judge’s ruling affirms my authority under Prop. 103 to protect consumers and stabilize market conditions through my Sustainable Insurance Strategy. Consumer Watchdog’s lawsuit fails to address the state’s insurance crisis and is merely another attempt to create chaos in an already complex situation. I’m pleased the judge saw through their charade, which only harms homeowners, small businesses, and non-profits that need better access to insurance options. Consumer Watchdog — which itself admits it has no members — has not offered any viable solutions to our state’s insurance crisis and continues to undermine my efforts to restore our insurance market. They also continue to profit under Prop. 103 in the millions through higher rates on policyholders when insurance companies seek justified rates from my Department. I will continue to expose their hypocrisy, and make the difficult decisions needed to stabilize our market and bring insurance options back to Californians.”
|
July 23, 2025 - California awards $8.6 million to local prosecutors to enforce workers’ rights July 21, 2025 - California Division of Workers' Compensation posts Ethics Advisory Committee annual report for 2024 July 18, 2025 - California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara expands mental health access with final landmark rulemaking to enforce California Mental Health Parity Act July 18, 2025 - California Division of Workers’ Compensation posts adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (DMEPOS) July 15, 2025 - The California Insurance Commissioner has approved a 8.7 percent workers' compensation rate increase. First such increase since 2015. July 14, 2025 - California's Division of Workers' Compensation now accepting applications for Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) exam on October 4th - 10th 2025  News Archive
|
|
.gif)