Follow bills that could affect you
The Texas Legislature will kick off its 81st session on January 13, 2009. Some of the bills that legislators will consider could affect employers who have a workers’ compensation policy.

Manage your claims, improve your productivity
If you have two employees to 50 employees, you may be eligible for the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) return-to-work reimbursement program. Under the program, the DWC reimburses employers up to $2,500 for money they spend to bring injured employees back to work or keep them at work.

By keeping experienced workers on the job, either at full or modified duty, employers can reduce the cost of lost production. They may also see their workers’ compensation costs decrease.

Austin lawyer heads up DWC
Governor Rick Perry has appointed Rod Bordelon commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). Bordelon’s term expires February 1, 2009.

As commissioner, he plans to expand DWC’s safety services, promote return-to-work, move more system participants toward electronic billing, and resolve pending hospital fee disputes.

Bordelon most recently served as public counsel and executive director at the Office of Public Insurance Counsel. He is an advisory member of the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission and a board member of the Insurer Guaranty Association. Bordelon replaces Albert Betts, who served three years as DWC commissioner.