WCIRB Estimate on Savings Not What Hoped For

The California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau has release preliminary estimates of savings that might be anticipated with the recently passed workers' compensation reform bills now sitting on Gray Davis' desk for signature.The WCIRB currently estimates that the total statewide cost of medical on injuries occurring in 2004 will be $13.8 billion. Noting that there are numerous ambiguities in the bills regarding the regulation of medical fees, and the implementation of a new medical fee schedule, the WCIRB states, "Of the $13.8 billion of medical costs estimated for 2004 injurie...