Cost Containment Remains an Issue at Rate Hearing

By Greg Jones, Western Bureau ChiefSAN FRANCISCO -- The efficacy of medical cost-containment programs in keeping in check California workers' compensation premiums was once again a central issue at a hearing on Tuesday on the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau recommended pure premium rate, as it has been since 2007.Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said he was concerned that medical prices are increasing in spite of the rise in spending on cost-containment programs, such as medical provider networks and utilization review. Jones said it might be appropriate to study whether...