CorVel is a national provider of industry leading workers’ compensation solutions to Vermont payors. Incidents and injuries can be reported to our 24/7 call center, to the online claims system or via mobile apps. Reports are immediately processed by our proprietary rules engine where medical management begins immediately as needed, and the claim is assigned to a Claims Adjuster within one business day or less of initial receipt.
Our comprehensive return to work program ensures collaboration and communication with all interested parties including the injured worker, employer, human resources, medical and safety teams, and healthcare providers. We use technology, compassionate case management for employees and cost containment measures, to give Vermont employers a superior program.
As a service to our clients, CorVel is providing links to information related to the COVID-19 pandemic provided by the states.
Legislature Status: In Session; working remotely. Statehouse is closed to the public.
- Vermont Health Department coronavirus resource page.– This resource page is regularly updated with guidance for healthcare providers, long term care facilities, schools, childcare centers, businesses and more.
- April 14, 2020 – The Governor and Agency of Commerce and Community Development announced the establishment of the Economic Mitigation & Recovery Task Force, charged with providing technical assistance and expertise to mitigate economic impacts and develop strategies for recovery.
- April 13, 2020 – The Governor signed Act 91 to grant expedited temporary licensure for health care professionals.
- April 10, 2020 – The Governor announced he is extending the state’s emergency declaration and all corresponding directives until May 15.
Legislation
- HB 681 Relates to employer registration for unemployment insurance. Contains amendments that ensure employees receive benefits when quarantined or providing care for a quarantined family member. Enacted.
- HB 742 Appropriates funding to the Department of Health to provide grants to emergency medical technician and paramedic training programs and concerns measures during and after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Vermont to support health care providers and services; to expand health insurance coverage related to COVID-19; to modify deductible requirements for all prescriptions drugs and related to other actions taken during a state of emergency. Enacted.
- HR 15 Urges that for the duration of the pandemic emergency, the federal government refrain from arresting or detaining individuals based on their immigration status in any healthcare setting and suspend implementation of the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Rule. Adopted.
- HR 16 Declares a state of emergency. Adopted.
- HR 17 Allows for committee members to vote remotely during the current declared emergency. Adopted.
- HR 18 Allows for remote participation during the current declared emergency. Adopted.
Vermont Regulatory Updates 03/06/2023
HB 217 – An Act Relating to Miscellaneous Workers’ Compensation Amendments
Summary:
This measure sets the fiscal year 2024 workers’ compensation insurance premium rate at 1.5%. It also sets the self-insured loss rate at 1%. It further establishes that in years where the legislature does not set the rate directly, it remains unchanged from the previous year. It also allows claimants to object to a discontinuance. It takes effect upon enactment.
Outlook:
02/28/2023 – This measure is scheduled for a hearing on March 1 in the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Representative Emilie Kornheiser (D). The State House is now open to the public but in-person meeting participation is limited due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A live stream of this hearing will be available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1akzzVH35AlFalPl5LmYfQ/featured. Testimony will be accepted by telephone and electronically by contacting the committee assistant. In Vermont, measures typically have multiple hearings and can be heard in multiple committees before being considered for passage.
HB 286 – An Act Relating to Miscellaneous Workers’ Compensation Amendments
Summary:
This measure allows an employer to require an employee receiving temporary disability benefits to engage in a good-faith effort to search for work if the employee has been released to work and the employer cannot offer them work they are released for. It also provides for annual adjustment of disability benefits amounts and increased dependent awards. Finally, it rephrases the section regarding attorney’s fees awards, clarifying and expanding while retaining the same general meaning. It takes effect July 1, 2023, with implementing rules required to be published by July 1, 2024.
Outlook:
02/17/2023 – This measure has been introduced and referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, chaired by Representative Michael Marcotte (R). The sponsor of this measure serves on the committee of referral. This measure awaits further consideration in the committee of referral at the discretion of the chair.
S 101 – An Act Relating to Miscellaneous Workers’ Compensation Amendments
Summary:
Outlook:
02/24/2023 -This measure was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs. This measure is eligible for consideration in the committee of referral.
Vermont Regulatory Updates 10/01/2020
HB 14
This measure failed upon adjournment of the legislature on September 25. As Vermont does not employ
carryover from even to odd years this measure must be reintroduced to be considered during the 2021
legislative session.
See February 2020 Update below for more information.
HB 631
This measure failed upon adjournment of the legislature on September 25.
As Vermont does not employ carryover from even to odd years this measure must be reintroduced to be
considered during the 2021 legislative session.
See April 2020 Update below for more information.
Vermont Regulatory Updates 04/01/2020
HB 631 – Labor; workers’ compensation; temporary partial disability; cost of living adjustment; appeals
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure amends existing Vermont code regarding partial and total disability workers’ compensation and return to work search.
Return to Work Search
This measure stipulates that an employer may require an employee who is receiving temporary disability benefits to engage in a good faith search for suitable work if the employee is medically released to return to work, but is unable to return to their previous position due to medical limitations. The employer will not require the employee to contact more than three employers per week as part of their good faith work search. The employee will not be required to search for new work if: they are already employed; have an upcoming surgical procedure; are or will be undergoing a work hardening program or weekly therapy; have three or more related medical appointments scheduled within the next thirty days; have only a sedentary work capacity but no sedentary work experience within the last fifteen years; are limited to working less than half of the hours compared to before the work-related injury; are unable to use their dominant arm on a frequent and/or repetitive basis; or are approved for vocational rehabilitation benefits and their return to work plan does not currently require a work search.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
When an employee suffers from temporary partial disability, the employer will pay the employee weekly compensation equal to the greater of: two-thirds of the difference between his or her average weekly wage before the injury and the average weekly wage which that they are able to earn during the period of disability or the difference between the wage the employee is able to earn during the period of disability and the amount the employee would be eligible to receive pursuant to code, including any applicable cost of living adjustment or dependency benefits. Compensation will be adjusted after twenty-six weeks of benefits, and annually on each July 1 so that the compensation remains proportional to the average weekly wage at the time of injury. In addition, the employer will pay the employee $10.00 per week during disability for each unmarried, dependent child under the age of 21.
If the employee continues work with the employer from which they are claiming workers’ compensation, the employer will be responsible for providing wage information to the employee’s insurance carrier. Payment of compensation will be deposited into the employee’s bank account within seven days after their wages or payed. If the employee is working for a different employer than the employer from which they are claiming workers’ compensation, payment of compensation shall be deposited into the employee’s bank account within three days after the employee submits their wage information to the insurance carrier.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
Compensation will be adjusted after twenty-six weeks of benefits, and annually on each July 1 so that the compensation remains proportional to the average weekly wage at the time of injury. In addition, the employer will pay the employee $10.00 per week during disability for each unmarried, dependent child under the age of 21.
Costs – Attorney’s Fees
When a claimant prevails in either a formal or informal proceeding, the Commissioner shall award necessary costs incurred in relation to the proceeding, including deposition expenses, subpoena fees, and expert witness fees, even if the matter is resolved before a formal hearing. The commissioner may also allow the claimant to recover reasonable attorney’s fees when the claimant prevails.
Adoption of Rules and Effective Date
This measure requires that the Commissioner of Labor adopt rules necessary to implement this measure on or before July 1, 2021. This measure shall take effect on July 1, 2020.
Most Recent Update: No action has been reported from the March 13 in the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, chaired by Representative Michael Marcotte (R).
This measure is eligible for further consideration in the committee. In Vermont, measures typically have multiple hearings and can be heard in multiple committees before being considered for passage.
Vermont Regulatory Updates 02/17/2020
HB 14 – An act relating to workers’ compensation.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Marijuana)
Summary:
This bill proposes to extend benefit payments in workers’ compensation insurance claims to the prescription of medical marijuana.
This measure dictates that an employer shall be subject to furnish an injured employee reasonable marijuana for symptom relief in workers’ compensation claims.
Disputes regarding payment of a medical bill maybe filed with the Commissioner by the injured employee, the healthcare provider, or the dispensary. Medical bills shall also be paid within in a contract between the aforementioned parties.
An employer or insurance carrier shall not impose on any health care provider or dispensary any retrospective denial of a previously paid medical bill or any part of that previously paid medical bill, unless the employer or insurance carrier has provided at least 30 days’ notice of any retrospective denial or overpayment recovery to the health care provider or dispensary.
Most Recent Update: This measure is eligible to be carried over to the 2020 Legislative Session. In Vermont, the Legislature’s rules allow for measures to be carried over from regular sessions in odd-numbered years to regular sessions in even-numbered years. The status of each measure and resolution will be the same at the beginning of the next regular session as it was immediately before the adjournment of the previous regular session. The Vermont Legislature is expected to convene for the 2020 Legislative Session on January 7, 2020.
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