NCCI Says Reforms Drive 5.4% Reduction in Loss Costs

The National Council on Compensation Insurance said improved experience under reform legislation passed in 2011 contributed to a 5.4% reduction in loss costs for Montana that takes effect July 1.House Bill 334, signed into law by Gov. Brian Schweitzer in April 2011, prohibits permanent disability awards based only on subjective complaints of pain, requires the use of Medicare’s Resource-Based Relative Value Scale and annual review of treatment guidelines. The bill also automatically ends medical benefits five years from the date of injury, unless a special panel awards additional treatme...