Kimberly George

Electoral politics, especially at the state level; the economic outlook; geopolitical risks; and evolving employee benefits top the list.

While there are certainly more than 20 issues to discuss, here are high-impact matters relating to workers’ comp, healthcare and risk management that need more attention.

High-impact issues relating to workers’ comp, healthcare and risk management need more attention.

If the pandemic has proven the need for anything, it is flexible and hybrid work environments.

OSHA's vaccine mandate leaves employers facing a complex compliance challenge.

Risk management teams face difficulties within the insurance marketplace, emerging risks and business challenges.

Currently, COVID-19 represents about 13% of all workers’ compensation claims.

In the face of rapid change, what are the implications? And what risks should organizations be prepared for?

An organization’s planning and response can minimize losses and, most importantly, keep people safe.

Risk managers and service providers are often challenged to demonstrate the value of centralized purchasing.

As work from home continued, employers became even more aware of the impact of mental health and well-being.

The industry is probably looking at several more years of accident year combined ratios above 100%.

The pandemic introduced several variables that question the validity of actuarial models and benchmarks.

One study found that 50% of those infected were unable to work full-time six months after recovering.

This first article will cover COVID-19 claims data. Part 2 will provide more details on long-term medical effects.

Presumptions for COVID-19 show how the line between workers’ comp and group health continues to blur.

Does COVID open the door for future infectious disease coverage under workers’ comp? Likely, yes.

Every company today is different than it was six months ago. All risk profiles have likely changed.

Expectations for success continue to rise as more businesses reopen with safety as a top priority.

Change management, flexibility and risk management have exposed their critical importance.

Beyond the pandemic, claims teams will need to know how to prioritize medical care for injured workers.

The behavioral health community is adjusting with transitions to telemedicine and other alternatives.

"Presumptions" are changing, state by state, increasing exposure for employers and adding complexity.

Four leading CEOs weigh in on how the pandemic is changing the insurance industry, for good.

Increased demand for telemedicine is leading to a dramatic shift in workers' comp healthcare delivery.

Many reach beyond workers’ comp and healthcare, touching risk management and employee benefits.

Traditional metrics, such as the number of cases per adjuster, may be losing their importance. Metrics should evolve.

Social determinants of health, often considered in major injuries, should be a routine issue in workers' comp.

A firm operating only in the U.S. may still have customers, suppliers and traveling employees in another country.

The workers’ comp industry must attract and retain top talent while responding to evolving work cultures.

The intersection of workers’ comp with laws on leave of absence and accommodation has become challenging.

There are very important issues that the workers' comp community should be monitoring as the year begins.

While some technology is noise, it can help especially in claims management and risk control.

With a deeper understanding, organizations can significantly reduce incidents against their workers.

Programs that focus equally on employees' health and productivity are becoming essential for companies.

One of the first employer concerns has to be preventing and responding to employee injuries when a disaster occurs.

Workers' comp protocols need to be turned around, putting psychosocial issues at the front end of the process.

We have not seen a push for workers’ compensation reforms in the last few years, but that will change.

We gathered thoughts from injured workers, whose voices are crucial in workers' comp but are too-seldom heard.

Mental health has been a taboo topic in workers' comp, but we increasingly see the need to address the topic.

Common-sense tips can lead to better outcomes for injured workers — and, ultimately, lower costs for payers.

What will be the impact of the election? Of machine learning and artificial intelligence? Of constitutional challenges?

Every workers' comp form filed is an opportunity for a penalty, and there can be thousands of transactions on a single claim.

Employers send a mixed message to employees: Get the best healthcare -- but not if you're injured.

The election year, Obamacare and possible federalization of workers' comp could all hit the industry in 2016.

Telemedicine, Google Glass, wearable monitor, Internet-connected sensors, 3D printing and robotic devices can all improve quality and cut costs.