Article

Mitchell Collision Repair Industry Data: Q1 2017

… last year. However, continued development suggests a final Q1 2017 average appraisal value of $3,047, which represents an increase of the same quarter last year.   Average appraisal Comprehensive Losses In Q1 2017, the average … Losses Mitchell’s Q1 2017 data reflects an initial average gross collision appraisal value of $3,327, $41 less than this same period last year. Continued development suggests a final Q1 …
News Release

Arizona Governor Signs Workers' Compensation Opioid Legislation

… By Brian Allen, VP of Government Affairs … to the provisions in the Opioid Epidemic Act passed during a special session in January of 2018. SB1111 specifically calls out the new Article 4 of Title 32, Chapter 32, related to the … of opioids to injured workers. The legislation expands the requirements for justifying when an opioid is appropriate for an injured worker. Those requirements include conducting a physical …
Article

Top Six Benefits IoT Offers the Automotive Claims Industry

… Just one poor claims experience will lead more than 30 percent of customers to switch carriers within a year of the incident. 1 How can insurers improve satisfaction during the claims process, make … seems custom-made to meet the needs of the insurance market. “What could be more useful to an insurance company than accurate, real-time data?” 2 Here’s a look at the potential advantages … By allowing claimants and insureds to take the initial photos or videos of an accident and send them directly to a carrier, the consumer is now directly connected to the …
Article

Specialty Solutions Spotlight: Shortages and Rising Costs Influence on Home Health in Workers’ Comp

… shortages, facing home health, which could affect the industry’s ability to meet the needs of injured employees.  One survey  done by the Pennsylvania Homecare Association found that 93% of Medicare-certified home health and hospice agencies and 98% of licensed agencies said they had … employer impacts. When the average cost of  a 3-day hospital stay is around $30,000  offering an extra dollar an hour for home health services post-surgery may be cheaper overall and lead to …
Conference

CIECA Connex Conference 2023

… CIECA Connex 2023 is an engaging, two-day conference on the theme “Connected Car | Connected Industry”. Participants will hear about the impact of new and emerging technologies—including ADAS and autonomous features—on the collision industry and its delivery of proper, safe vehicle repairs. The conference also provides attendees with the chance to …
News Release

WorkCompCentral.com: Focus Intensifies on Diagnostic Imaging Quality (subscription required)

… Medical imaging can be a key step in the diagnosis and treatment of an injured worker, but a recent debate has raised questions about whether poor quality imaging is … comp claims. Ted Smith started the discussion with an opinion column about the impacts of aging equipment used to perform MRIs or CT scans. Imaging facilities may lag in replacing the …
CE Webinar

Look for a Broken Spirit, Not Just a Broken Bone: Evaluating Mental Health Needs in Workers' Comp

… someone gets hurt on the job, the workers’ compensation system is often adept at zeroing in on an injury and delivering timely care. But that well-intentioned focus on a patient’s physical … ones, which might be harder to spot. Today, a comprehensive approach that identifies and meets an injured worker’s needs is more important than ever because the coronavirus pandemic is … intervention Building and implementing clinically sound treatment plans Utilizing a network of proven mental health providers Constructing an effective communication strategy with the …
Article

Ask The Pharmacist: Biologics and Approved Biosimilar Drugs in Workers’ Compensation

… or biosimilar drugs and wondered, “what exactly does that mean?” Or you may have heard of many of these drugs not realizing they are biologicals or biosimilars. For instance, Humira, Enbrel … to and has no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety or effectiveness from an existing FDA-licensed (approved) reference product.” Once biosimilars are approved by the FDA, …
Article

Opioid Management in Workers’ Comp: Is Case Management the Missing Link?

… Opioid abuse has been in the crosshairs of workers’ comp regulators for the past decade. While there have been some hits and misses in the industry’s attempts to control these substances, gaining a better understanding of the roots of the problem and what companies are doing to address it, has led to better … Review (CPR) has taken place. This means a pharmacist or peer physician has already conducted an evidence-based peer review of prescriptions and the prescriber’s treatment plan. This peer …
Article

Global Surgical Package Fraudulent Billing

… friends and coworkers can lead to a major finding for medical billing fraud. Take the example of simply talking to your coworker in the next cube about a suspicious provider billing … provider on other auto first party claims. What ends up happening is a pervasive situation of intentional fraud uncovered by one conversation. This is exactly what occurred in identifying … and how these procedures are presented in billing is an important aspect in finding this type of fraud. The global surgical package, also called ‘global surgery’ and sometimes ‘global …
News Release

Enlyte to Acquire PartsTrader, Complementing Mitchell's Auto Physical Damage Technology Solutions

… and services for the property and casualty industry, announced today it has entered into an agreement to acquire PartsTrader , the industry's leading parts procurement marketplace. The … within the Auto Physical Damage ecosystem. PartsTrader will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Enlyte and will continue to operate as an independent entity alongside Mitchell's Auto … their distinct identities and operations while benefiting from the collective strength of the Enlyte portfolio. Both Mitchell and PartsTrader will continue as open platforms—allowing …
News Release

California Updates MTUS Drug Formulary

… The California Division of Workers' Compensation Administrative Director, George Parisotto, recently posted an order announcing updates to the MTUS Drug Formulary. … status for various conditions. Twenty-eight new drugs were added to the MTUS Drug Formulary. Of those, twenty-seven have a non-exempt status. The sole drug added with an exempt status was Naloxone HCL. “Exempt” means that it can be prescribed without prior …
Case Study

Experience Saves a Life & a Career

… Buckley, RN, BS, continually demonstrates her innate ability to address the total impact of illness and injury including psychological, physical and social needs to help injured workers … A bourbon warehouse worker sustained an injury when his right leg became lodged between two barrels. He was taken to a local ER where … He was then transferred to a critical care hospital and diagnosed with compartment syndrome of the right leg and scheduled for an immediate surgical procedure designed to relieve pressure …
Article

Best Practices for Selecting a Provider Network

… do is ensure that your selected partner has access to a large national network that consists of any and all provider specialties that may treat a workplace injury or an auto accident at any time during a claim. … A robust provider services department that has deep knowledge about the administrative needs of the provider allows the practice to focus on patient needs, thereby providing a better … choose a provider network that has oversight procedures in place, including: Regular reviews of their provider credentialing process Ongoing monitoring of physician licenses, sanctions, or …
Article

Mitchell Collision Repair Industry Data: Q4 2017

… in Q4 2017, was $3,151. Continued development suggests a final Q4 2017 average appraisal value of $3,184, which represents an increase of $67 compared to the same quarter last year. average appraisal values, ACVs and age all apd … periods. Factoring for development yields an anticipated Q4 2017 adjusted appraisal value of $ 2,965, a $72 increase in average severity over Q4 2016. average appraisal values, ACVs and …
Article

Pharmacy Management: A Proactive Approach

… What is the total potential impact of Pharmacy Management within a workers’ compensation claim lifecycle? … involving multiple groups focused on the injured workers’ recovery . The average duration of a claim can easily exceed 15 months, depending on the severity of the injury, jurisdictional … affect the cost of a claim, but there are several other ways in which pharmacy can have an impact on the outcome of a claim. In this series, we will be exploring the life-cycle of a …
News Release

Vermont Adopts Opioid Prescribing Rule

… The Vermont Department of Health has adopted its permanent opioid prescribing rules. … The limitations in the rule only apply to initial prescriptions for a given course of treatment and do not apply to renewals or refills. One of the stated goals of the rule is to “provide prescribers with a framework for prescribing … The Following is a Summary of Some of the Key Provisions of the Rule: … Prior to prescribing on opioid the patient must be given the Department of Health Opioid Information Sheet and sign an informed consent agreement. Depending on the level …
Article

Managing the Evolving Claims Workforce

… One of the biggest issues impacting the P&C industry is the changing labor market. As a result of the pandemic, employee norms around work are changing and impacting in diverse ways. Many … enter the market. In this quarter’s Enlyte Executive Insight, Steve Laudermilch, EVP of Mitchell Casualty Solutions Group, offers solutions on how leaders can best integrate the new … desk level, pressuring claims organizations to attract, hire and train resources. What is one of the biggest challenges claims leaders face in integrating new adjusters into their roles? …
Article

New Vehicles: Technology Impact on Collision Repair Costs

… constantly experimenting with new technology and new ways to keep us safe in the event of an accident. Recent advances, using sophisticated collision avoidance systems which have quickly … models during product re-designs and refreshes. Modern collision avoidance systems consist of radar, laser (LIDAR), and camera-based systems. These systems provide not only collision … An absolute approach was taken to try to answer the question of the impact that collision avoidance, park assist, and adaptive cruise control systems have on …
News Release

Electric Vehicle Collision Claims Rebound as Expiring U.S. Government Tax Incentives Drive Record Sales

… — Mitchell , a leader in the development of innovative auto physical damage technology solutions, today announced the availability of its latest Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights report. The Q3 2025 edition highlights a dramatic … vehicles (BEVs), which dropped for the first time in Q2 before rebounding last quarter to an all-time high of 3.21% just as expiring government tax incentives prompted record-breaking …
Podcast

Winter's Impact on Work Comp Claims

… comp claims. While much focus has been directed toward employee health and the increasing days of excessive heat our country is experiencing, the polar opposite is also true during the winter … how cold weather affects employees and offers helpful insight on how to prevent these types of weather-related injuries. Melissa, thanks for joining us.  … Great. When we talk about cold weather injuries, are you seeing an increase in these types of injuries? And if so, what are some possible reasons behind it? …
Conference

NACE Automechanika 2018

… With hundreds of exhibiting companies and thousands of attendees, NACE Automechanika Atlanta is set to lead the industry in a showcase of the latest … automotive collision and service repair shops. Mitchell will once again be attending NACE as an exhibitor with an interactive exhibit booth. Those visiting Mitchell’s booth will have the …
News Release

Arizona Industrial Commission Proposes Changes to Pharmacy Fee Schedule

… Of particular interest are the proposed changes to the pharmacy reimbursement sections. These … for prescription drugs dispensed in non-retail settings. The proposed changes are a result of that study. … Summary of the Pharmacy Reimbursement Staff Proposal: … Reimbursement for generic drugs will be 85% of average wholesale price (AWP). Reimbursement for brand name drugs will be 85% of average … The NDC of the repackaged medication may not be used. Components of a co-pack drug without an NDC will not be reimbursed. Compound Medications Reimbursement for compounded medications will …
Article

As prosthetic devices improve, so can injured workers’ outcomes

… In the world of workers’ compensation, our responsibility is to help those who are hurt not only get back to … be lost in a catastrophic event on the job or from complications like infection. These types of life-changing events often call for use of prosthetics. A prosthetic device is one that replaces all or part of an extremity—so an arm, hand, or finger, or a leg, foot, or toe. They can be simple and …
Article

Mitchell Canadian Collision Summary: Q1 2017

… Editor's Note At the request of our customers and friends in Canada, we are pleased to provide the following Canada-specific … This data is the product of upload activity from body shops, independent appraisers, and insurance personnel, more … systems in Q1 2017, was $3,910—a $139 increase from Q1 2016. Factoring for development yields an anticipated increase to $3,963.   Average Appraisal Values Severity Overall …
Article

Dashboard Cameras Go Beyond Recording the Road Ahead

… one. In the United States, dash cam shipments are up twenty percent from 2017. 2 The number of dash cams has doubled in heavy-duty trucks in the last four years. 3 While the U.S. is still a small percentage of overall market share, the global market is expected to reach $31 billion by 2022. 4 … A small camera is mounted to an interior windshield, to the rear-view mirror or on top of the dashboard. It begins recording in a continuous loop when you start your car and …
Conference

NORTHEAST 2023

… Providing over 40 years of automotive repair education, technology, equipment, and innovation, the NORTHEAST event … to gain industry knowledge and skills by organizing industry trainings, product demos, and an open-floor exhibition to meet hundreds of vendors to view the latest automotive performance products. Be sure to check out Mitchell, an …
Article

Potential Drug Therapy Treatments for COVID-19: Impact on Workers’ Compensation

… As response to the COVID-19 pandemic shifts into new phases—parts of the United States are reopening and businesses and many states are considering how to get … by the Centers for Disease Control, the Federal Drug Administration, the National Institute of Health and other sources. … Current Research on Potential COVID-19 Treatments and Development of Treatment Guidelines … diagnosed with COVID-19. Early clinical trials from Stanford and the National Institute of Health (NIH) suggest the drug could be effective at treating COVID-19 by accelerating recovery …