Article

StateWatch: Bill Review August 2019

… Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) … became effective Aug. 1. DWC also adopted the MTUS guidelines Aug. 11, which includes the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) Lower Back Disorder Guidelines and Workplace … Aug. 2. The new law adds a condition allowing physicians to prescribe an opioid to the list of disabling medical diagnoses that authorize a person to use medical marijuana Another law, …
Article

StateWatch: Bill Review August 2019

… Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) … became effective Aug. 1. DWC also adopted the MTUS guidelines Aug. 11, which includes the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) Lower Back Disorder Guidelines and Workplace … Aug. 2. The new law adds a condition allowing physicians to prescribe an opioid to the list of disabling medical diagnoses that authorize a person to use medical marijuana Another law, …
Conference

Mitchell 2018 mPower Conference

… for Mitchell’s annual customer gathering, the Mitchell 2018 mPower Conference. This event is an opportunity for us to collaborate, share what we’re seeing in the industry, discuss emerging … inspired, technology-focused main stage presentations and breakout sessions, plus plenty of opportunities to get to know and network with your industry colleagues. We'll dive deep into … Allstate Personal Lines, Allstate; Mike Walsh, Futurist and CEO, Tomorrow; Shawn Achor, American Researcher and author of The Happiness Advantage , and more. This year’s agenda will …
News Release

Mitchell Announces Cloud-Based Glass Claims and Repair Management Solution

… —Mitchell, a leading provider of technology, connectivity and information solutions to the Property & Casualty (P&C) claims and Collision Repair industries, today announced the availability of the Mitchell Cloud Glass solution , a glass repair and replacement system that directly links … GlassMate, it delivers innovative cloud and point-of-sale capabilities and is powered by an open ecosystem. This allows glass facilities and mobile repairers to leverage market-leading …
Article

Five Business Trends that Will Become “Business as Usual”

… A business crisis is when something prevents an organization from conducting “business as usual.” That definition has never been more true for … began affecting our lives. As states start to slowly open up, we begin to see the possibility of a light at the end of the tunnel. Parts of our industry are on their way back to normal, but other areas of the … may turn out to be a silver lining in this tragic situation. Just take a look at some of the changes affecting the property and casualty industry alone: …
Article

Ask The Pharmacist: Opioid Dependence vs Addiction

… addiction and dependence? Opioid Addiction Opioid addiction is a well-known potential outcome of opioid therapy. The literature shows that up to 50% of people using opioids for chronic pain may become addicted. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), addiction is defined as “a treatable medical … disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors …
News Release

Latest Mitchell Data Shows Continued Increase in Electric Vehicle Collision Claims

… The frequency of claims submitted for repairable electric vehicles (EVs) rose to its highest level in 2023, … —Mitchell, an Enlyte company and leading technology and information provider for the  Property & Casualty (P&C) claims and  Collision Repair industries, today announced the publication of its latest trends report: Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights . This issue provides a year-over-year analysis of EV claims volume, which increased in 2023 by more than 40% in the U.S. and Canada. “2023 was a …
Blog

Defining Formularies & Step Therapy Medications

… HealthCare.gov defines a formulary as, a list of prescription drugs covered by a prescription drug plan offering prescription drug benefits. … needed when a medication is not listed on the formulary or requires step therapy. Management of the formulary is often maintained by a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), such as First Script. … Guidelines (ODG) from the Work Loss Data Institute and the Practice Guidelines from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) are tailored to workers’ …
Article

Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights 2023 Year in Review

… repairable claims frequency at 1.97% in the United States and 2.86% in Canada. That represents an increase of more than 40% in both regions over the previous year. When compared to 2020, the frequency of claims for repairable EVs has more than tripled. Last year, Tesla’s share of total U.S. new … ” In 2024, sales of new EVs are expected to increase, along with demand for electrified alternatives—resulting in …
Article

Total Loss Trends: What You Can and Can’t Control

… Ah, the holidays are upon us. For me, this brings to mind all the sentiments of the season, like large family gatherings, in-laws, and the occasional antipsychotic. Over the … for all of 2015. Along those lines, fully-baked market values are trending upward, showing an increase of about 1.5 percent compared to last September. While the average vehicle age for … are involved. Compare that to $138 for carriers that leverage build-sheet (which takes into account that build-sheet isn’t available across all makes yet). Market conditions may be driving …
Blog

No doctor, no problem

… a medical appointment lately, it’s possible you didn’t see a doctor at all. For decades, the American medical system has been utilizing physician extenders including nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to assist with the rising demands of healthcare. In recent years, their role has expanded to be more autonomous, like having the … on new roles. Retail stores with clinics inside and urgent care clinics are at the forefront of this new, convenient patient care.   …
Podcast

Discharge Planning - A Vital Component for RTW

… : Hospital discharge planning is an integral part of an injured employee’s recovery. Whether transferring to a different facility … an injured employee’s return to work. To speak more on this, I have Nicole Usher, Sr. Director of Operations, Apricus, here today. Nicole, thanks for joining us. … This is a great question. We often see that at the point of discharge, we really want to do a full 360. So not just what the patient needs immediately, …
Article

Ask The Pharmacist: Pharmacokinetic Changes that Occur in Older Adults

… How does aging affect drug performance? The passing of time and changing performance of our physiologic, musculoskeletal and neurologic systems doesn’t affect us all identically. Aging can be thought of as an accumulation of function loss in organs and tissues, as well as disruptions in the physiologic … Criteria for older adults (named for its original author). It is updated and published by the American Geriatrics Society, which identifies potentially inappropriate medications and cautions …
Article

Ask The Pharmacist: Understanding Skeletal Muscle Relaxants in Workers' Compensation

… What should I know about skeletal muscle relaxants in the treatment of injuries? Skeletal muscle relaxants are a leading category of prescribed medications in … these. Many are known to cause central nervous system depression and related sedation and are an additive overdose risk when prescribed in combination with opioid pain medications. Some also appear on the American Geriatrics Society’s Beers List of medications that are inappropriate for use in elderly …
News Release

Mitchell Teams with Inspektlabs to Offer New Option for AI-Generated Vehicle Appraisals

… —Mitchell, a leading provider of technology, connectivity and information solutions to the Property & Casualty (P&C) claims and … Inspektlabs' best-in-class artificial intelligence (AI), insurers can automatically generate an appraisal from photos or videos of collision-damaged vehicles. Mitchell Intelligent Estimating … solutions, open platform, intellectual property and comprehensive data to help North American carriers meet policyholder expectations for a streamlined, digital claims experience. …
News Release

Mitchell Expands Claims Automation Capabilities Through Open Platform and Collaboration With Tractable

… SAN DIEGO, CA—Mitchell, a leading provider of technology, connectivity and information solutions to the Property & Casualty (P&C) claims and … addition of Tractable's AI to the Mitchell Intelligent Open Platform (MIOP). This allows North American automotive insurers to use Mitchell's advanced claims automation solution— Mitchell … AI engine into Mitchell Intelligent Estimating, we can provide customers and the industry with an advanced, turnkey solution. Additional information about Mitchell Intelligent Estimating can …
Blog

Is there a new concern related to Gabapentin use and serious breathing problems?

… FDA Medwatch , the FDA warns about serious breathing difficulties related to the use of gabapentinoid (GabaP) medications in patients with other respiratory risk factors. 1  Elderly … opioids, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, or sedative-hypnotics) are cautioned regarding an increased risk for respiratory compromise and distress. 1  This new warning from the FDA is prompted by a number of case reports and the results of several clinical trials that indicate new awareness of serious …
Article

Functional Restoration Programs: What the Latest CWCI Study Reveals, and Why Oversight Matters

… California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) recently released a study examining the use of functional restoration programs (FRPs) across more than 635 indemnity claims. The results highlight both the potential and pitfalls of these intensive programs, and why utilization review (UR) plays such a critical role in … FRPs can support recovery, but without strong oversight, they frequently become a source of cost escalation rather than a path to better outcomes. …
Article

Reclaim Control Over Specialty Costs

… The Growing Surge in Specialty Service Costs As specialty services become a major driver of rising expenses, effective management of medical costs requires a thoughtful, strategic approach. Based on data from internal calculations, these services now account for an astounding $6.4 billion annually in workers’ compensation medical spend, representing over 22% … achieving 85-90% in-network penetration for DME services , which significantly reduces out-of-network referrals and associated costs. …
Article

The CDC and P&C: New Opioid Guidelines a Powerful Step in the Right Direction

… The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) newly established guidelines for the prescribing of opioids for chronic pain. These guidelines provide clear recommendations for treating … represent a significant cost to the Property and Casualty (P&C) industry. The direct cost of these drugs as well as the indirect cost associated with poor outcomes due to overuse, misuse, and abuse of opioid medications can be significant. This article will discuss a brief overview of the new …
Virtual Event

Work Comp: COVID-19 Effects and Lasting Impacts [Podcast]

… on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting—and will continue to influence—many different areas of the workers’ compensation claims process. Listen below to hear from Mitchell | Genex leaders … Casualty Solutions and Genex divisions discussing regulatory changes, the potential impact of delayed care, case management, pharmacy issues and more. … identify patients that might be at risk and to reach out proactively and offer mail order as an alternative to going into a pharmacy and perhaps being exposed to the virus.” …
Podcast

Getting OnBoard With New York's Regulatory Changes

… last few years, New York has been implemented new reforms to increase the speed and efficiency of its claims process. In today’s Inside Workers' Comp, Dr. Lisa O'Connor, Genex's Associate Clinical Director, Utilization Review, tells us about one of them, OnBoard, New York’s new online web portal for processing workers’ comp claims. … New York started the planning process in the summer of 2019. They have been slowly releasing information to us over the last year. They're really …
Article

StateWatch: Early Spring 2018

… . The oral tablets are designed for short-term (no more than 14 days) management of acute pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. According to the … American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) … even providing coverage for bariatric surgery in some cases. Published in the January edition of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the study also showed that work itself …
Article

StateWatch: Early Spring 2018

… . The oral tablets are designed for short-term (no more than 14 days) management of acute pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. According to the … American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) … even providing coverage for bariatric surgery in some cases. Published in the January edition of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the study also showed that work itself …
Article

Interpretation/Translation Frequently Asked Questions

… Ensures all parties understand each other, reducing the risk of miscommunication. … to each claim to maintain continuity and build familiarity, enhancing the effectiveness of communication throughout the injured employee’s recovery journey. Why Is It Essential To … Specialty Solutions offer a one-stop-shop experience to make sure those recovering from an injury get what they need, when they need it. Contact Us Today   Download the Flyer …
White Paper

Worksite Crisis Response

… Not all victims of worksite trauma sustain physical injuries Anyone who has ever witnessed a traumatic event … those unfortunate individuals who witness a catastrophic event? Too often the answer to both of those questions is no. It doesn’t have to be this way. Addressing bystander trauma through … is as high 20 percent. Some of these traumatic events can unfold at work. Nearly two million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence each year.5 Even that large …
Podcast

The Other Drug Issue - When Addiction is a Pre-Work Injury Problem

… comp has been a hot-button topic over the past decade, mostly due to the staggering number of injured workers who have become addicted and, in the more tragic cases, have succumbed to prescription opioids. Yet, the same level of attention hasn’t been given to another addiction issue, treating those injured employees whose … Let’s get an idea of the scope of this problem. Is pre-injury drug addiction and alcoholism something that comp …
Article

Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights Q1 2025

… battery electric vehicles (BEVs) rose to 3.12% in the U.S. and 4.48% in Canada. That is an increase of approximately 31% in the U.S. and Canada over Q1 2024 and 2% and 4% respectively over the … CAD for ICE automobiles (-$479 CAD/-8%*). Plugged-In Q1 2025 Parts Statistics By the Numbers Top North America BEV Markets Based on Repairable Claims Frequency Q1 2025 Top BEV Model Claims … To subscribe to future issues of Mitchell's Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights report, please complete the form below. …