News Release

Overview of California Closed Formulary Draft Rules

… California Closed Formulary information is based the current draft rules proposed by the State of California, which are presently in the State’s comment period. California has set a deadline … by law, the formulary must be implemented on July 1, 2017.  The information provided below is an overview of the proposed rules and subject to change based on further changes to the rules by … For additional information, please consult your Coventry Account Manager. About Coventry Coventry offers workers' compensation, auto and disability care- …
Article

Current Used Vehicle Market Conditions: Q2 2023

… levels. Wholesale Market Trends* According to ADESA US Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of auction industry used vehicle prices by vehicle model class, wholesale prices in May averaged … retail used vehicle and CPO sales through May based on ADESA US Analytical Services’ analysis of data from NADA and Motor Intelligence, respectively. Wholesale Market Trend Wholesale Market … vehicles. In my analysis of trends in these metrics, I have noted that the pandemic created an aberration in the historical relationship between used and new vehicle prices, which tended to …
Article

Prescription Drug Affordability: Why Work Comp Costs Keep Rising Despite Reform Efforts

… Affordability seems to be the issue of the day, and the 2026 midterm elections will likely be decided on this perception. Housing, … purchasing tourism. For example, one smaller health plan was flying beneficiaries to Mexico to purchase high-cost brand medications because it was cheaper to pay for a flight, hotel, other … said, according to 46brooklyn Research , drug manufacturers also raised prices on 870 drugs an average of 4% in January of 2026, including all the manufacturers who entered into agreements …
Article

Making Recall Data Available When it’s Most Valuable: At the Time of a Vehicle Repair

… Today there are tens of millions of vehicles driven on roads all across the United States that have open recalls for … to recall vehicles and equipment that have safety-related defects. Anyone can report an issue with any vehicle to the NHTSA. The process is as simple as reporting the complaint for … available, unless the recall has generated media coverage, most consumers won’t have it top of mind to check safety recalls on their vehicle. "One method to inform consumers is to push …
Article

Ask The Pharmacist: Cardiovascular Effects of NSAIDs, Opioids & Other Workers' Comp Medications

… workers’ comp? There can be. Here are some heart-related side effects or precautions for three of the top therapeutic classes in workers’ compensation. Opioids (a.k.a., Narcotics) All  opioids  can … usually symptoms associated more with withdrawal from opioids. Methadone is associated with an increased risk of QT prolongation and TdP. Buprenorphine can also be associated with a risk of … A test that can be used to look at the electrical activity of the heart. The heart is essentially a muscle that is driven by a natural electrical rhythm, …
Article

StateWatch Summer 2016

… International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) … issued a new report which includes analysis of workers’ compensation protections in employee benefit plans allowed under Oklahoma’s … Understanding the Opt-Out Alternative  examines the issue in-depth, addressing key assertions of opt-out proponents to provide a framework and fact-based analysis designed to guide the … American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons …
Article

Cobotics, a New Type of Man-Machine Collaboration

… collaborate. Cobots, short for collaborative robots, share another human trait: with the help of artificial intelligence, they can learn on the job. They differ from traditional industrial … are here to do something surprisingly human: collaborate. Hamburger chain Caliburger provides an example of how companies are using cobots to augment their human workforce. When the company was having … The automotive industry was an early adopter of robotics in manufacturing, so it is no surprise that cobots continue to make inroads in …
Article

Current Used Vehicle Market Conditions: Q3 2019

… Tom Kontos, Executive Vice-President, ADESA Analytical Services. ADESA is a leading provider of wholesale used vehicle auctions and ancillary remarketing services. As part of the KAR Auction Services family, ADESA works in collaboration with its sister company, … Auctions, a leading salvage auto auction company, to provide insights, trends and highlights of the entire automotive auction industry. … annual basis, while truck-segment prices faired more favorably. Off-lease units showed signs of price softness. On the other hand, October CPO sales were strong, which is supportive of …
Article

June 2018 Used Vehicle Market Conditions

… Tom Kontos, Executive Vice-President, ADESA Analytical Services. ADESA is a leading provider of wholesale used vehicle auctions and ancillary remarketing services. As part of the KAR Auction Services family, ADESA works in collaboration with its sister company, … Auctions, a leading salvage auto auction company, to provide insights, trends and highlights of the entire automotive auction industry. … decline since August 2014, continuing the general softening pattern seen since the impact of the hurricanes waned in late 2017. Retail used vehicle sales, including CPO sales, were …
Article

Current Used Vehicle Market Conditions: Q4 2018

… Tom Kontos, Executive Vice-President, ADESA Analytical Services. ADESA is a leading provider of wholesale used vehicle auctions and ancillary remarketing services. As part of the KAR Auction Services family, ADESA works in collaboration with its sister company, … Auctions, a leading salvage auto auction company, to provide insights, trends and highlights of the entire automotive auction industry. wholesale used vehicle price trends wholesale used …
Article

Motor Vehicle Markets Q4 2017

… Tom Kontos, Executive Vice-President, ADESA Analytical Services. ADESA is a leading provider of wholesale used vehicle auctions and ancillary remarketing services. As part of the KAR Auction Services family, ADESA works in collaboration with its sister company, … Auctions, a leading salvage auto auction company, to provide insights, trends and highlights of the entire automotive auction industry. Summary With the impacts of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma …
Article

Current Used Vehicle Market Conditions: 2021 Year-End

… is produced by Tom Kontos, Chief Economist, KAR Global. KAR Global is a leading provider of wholesale used vehicle auctions and ancillary remarketing services. 1 … According to KAR Global Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of wholesale used vehicle prices by vehicle model class, wholesale prices in November averaged … Overall average prices ended 2021 more than 45% above pre-COVID averages for this select group of vehicles, despite some general softening in the last few weeks of the year. Based on NADA …
Article

Current Used Vehicle Market Conditions: Q3 2022

… Ian possibly had a moderating effect on wholesale price deterioration, due to the loss of used vehicle supply and the resulting replacement demand the storm generated. This moderating trend continued into October. Lack of affordability and availability are hampering used vehicle retail sales, leaving dealers with … spring/tax-refund seasonal peaks, although the drop for the late-model units shown in the top line has been more precipitous.  Kontos-Kommentary-Sept-Oct-2022 A spreadsheet with …
Article

Importance of Early Intervention After Trauma

… are left unaddressed. Early psychological intervention is crucial in mitigating the impact of trauma as it helps people recover more quickly and can prevent long-term mental health … Prevalence of Trauma … According to research, an estimated 37% to 92% of all people will be exposed to a traumatic event at some point in their … errors. Emergency workers, for example, perceive their work capability to be only 37% of their normal level after trauma (Tehrani, 2020).  …
News Release

PA Governor Wolfe Signs First Ever Disaster Declaration on Opioids

… to the opioid and heroin epidemic gripping the state. His disaster declaration is the first of its kind related to the opioid epidemic. President Trump declared a national public health … has decimated far too many communities, and gone on far too long.” The declaration contains an outline of 13 initiatives designed to save lives by increasing access to necessary care and … syndrome as reportable conditions to the PA department of Health Authorizes emergency purchase under the procurement code to maintain and expand services with the current drug and …
Article

Premiums Written: Q1 2018 Casualty Must-Reads

… something new in our Industry Trends Reports. Each quarter, I will round up and highlight some of my favorite articles written by Mitchell experts and let you know where we have been published … Performance Consulting Directors Edward Olsen and Ryan Mandell delve into how developing an analytics-driven culture from the outside in provides the opportunity for increased … and the need to create operational efficiencies, it’s clear that stakeholders are eager to express the potential benefits of adopting advanced technologies.” Continue to the links on the …
Article

Current Used Vehicle Market Conditions: Q4 2022

… monthly decline in a row and another double-digit year-over-year drop. However, the rate of decline tapered greatly in December, and prices rose solidly during the first weeks of January. Retail used vehicle and certified pre-owned (CPO) sales improved in December; … According to ADESA US Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of auction industry used vehicle prices by vehicle model class, wholesale prices in December …
News Release

Enlyte Announces Its 2024 Heart of Case Management Award Winners

… Honorees represent the best of those who make a profound impact on the lives of employees with injuries and disabilities … case managers are being celebrated for their exemplary work in helping restore the livelihoods of employees injured on the job or in need of accommodations due to disability. In conjunction … humming along,” said Helen Froehlich, Senior Vice President, Utilization Management. “It’s not an easy task, considering the severity of injury or illness may not only be mobility limiting, …
Article

Blinded by the Light: The Impact of Advances in Headlamp Technology on Auto Claims

… beyond sealed beam and halogen headlamp assemblies. The early 2000’s saw the introduction of the first Xenon/HID systems that used pressurized gas to create a brighter and more expansive field of vision for drivers. Such technology was only available as an option on high-end luxury vehicles such as the Mercedes S Class and the BMW 7 Series. LED … OEM collision repair procedures is vital to avoiding costly mistakes. Learn more about the top automotive trends for 2020 and what it means for the collision repair industry. Average …
Case Study

American Airlines: How Customization and Collaboration Resulted in Improved Return to Work and Significant Savings

… "Genex held an important role in the workers’ compensation program creation and directly contributed to … - Jennifer Saddy, Director Workers’ Compensation Corporate Insurance & Risk Management, American Airlines   … American Airlines … to develop a strong early intervention program to close claims faster due to a large number of open legacy claims. The goals were 1) reduce total pending claims, 2) reduce aged pending …
Article

Five Automotive Trends to Watch in 2021

… None of us could have predicted the events of 2020 and their impact on the automotive industry. A disruption in the export of Chinese parts, manufacturing delays in Europe, the short-term closure of U.S. assembly plants … For the last five years, experts have anticipated the demise of personal vehicle ownership and usage. However, COVID-19 has flipped the shared mobility trend on its head. While the pandemic has reduced the commuting needs of countless workers, many still rely on their vehicles for vacation travel and shorter, more …
Article

Average Length of Rental for Repairable Vehicles: Q2 2017

… U.S. Length of Rental—Q2 2017 … Average Length of Rental (LOR) in the 2nd Quarter 2017 landed at 11.54 days, representing only a fractional rise of .07 days versus the 2nd Quarter of 2016. This is a continuation of the trend we began to see … was more applicable to actual LOR results than LOR trends. Every Canadian province saw an increase to its LOR in Q2. In Q1, we saw Newfoundland post a 1 day decrease. Overall LOR …
Article

COVID—A Year Later

… One year ago this week, our Company sent out the first set of employee notices to adopt a work-from-home status, “effective immediately.” Like millions of others, we promptly packed the laptops, the power cords, and (hopefully) whatever we had in … what we all assumed would be a temporary disruption. At home we were greeted by suddenly-out-of-school children who thought they were on vacation, and by spouses vying for the “good” home …
Article

The Impact of Calibration Needs on Collision Repair

… With the increasing ubiquity of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) , comes the increasing need for systems to be … to one of the areas designated 1 (Figure 1): post collision diagnostic scan Figure 1: From American Honda Post-collision Diagnostic Scan and Calibration Requirements for Honda and Acura … occupy a niche space for a small portion of jobs to one where calibrations will be an almost standard operation on the majority of repairs. This is why Mitchell continues to invest …
Article

Current Used Vehicle Market Conditions: Q4 2019

… Tom Kontos, Executive Vice-President, ADESA Analytical Services. ADESA is a leading provider of wholesale used vehicle auctions and ancillary remarketing services. As part of the KAR Auction Services family, ADESA works in collaboration with its sister company, … Auctions, a leading salvage auto auction company, to provide insights, trends and highlights of the entire automotive auction industry. … 2019 ended with average wholesale prices dropping for the seventh month in a row. Though some of this decline reflects seasonal patterns, it may also be indicative of used vehicle market …
Article

High Dollar Claims Driving Workers’ Compensation COVID-19 Claims Costs

… its workers’ compensation claims data to identify how trends have changed from the start of the pandemic through December 2021. Below, we’ve included our top takeaways based on this analysis. Please note that most likely, this dataset does not yet show the effects of the Omicron variant due to the timing of the data set compared with the rise in the variant. … Our analysis of workers’ compensation claims through the end of 2021 demonstrated two major trend changes …
Article

High Dollar Claims Driving Workers’ Compensation COVID-19 Claims Costs

… its workers’ compensation claims data to identify how trends have changed from the start of the pandemic through December 2021. Below, we’ve included our top takeaways based on this analysis. Please note that most likely, this dataset does not yet show the effects of the Omicron variant due to the timing of the data set compared with the rise in the variant. … Our analysis of workers’ compensation claims through the end of 2021 demonstrated two major trend changes …
News Release

Three States Look at Legislation for Auto Personal Injury Protection

… HB 301 states that if an insurer has provided notice that it may limit reimbursement based on the fee schedule, deductibles would be limited to 100% of the authorized fee schedule amount. … HB 1233 would increase the PIP limit from $10,000 to $25,000 and add an option to purchase up to $75,000. … about legislative and regulatory issues, please contact Brian Allen, Vice President of Government Affairs at Brian.Allen@mitchell.com or at 801.903.5754.   …