Debra Knight

The State Board of Insurance convened to consider the designation of Catastrophe Areas, focusing on regions lacking reasonably available Windstorm and Hail Insurance for a substantial number of property owners. Pursuant to Senate Bill 31, the board designated specific counties as Windstorm and Hail Insurance Catastrophe Areas, including Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, and Willacy. The establishment of these areas became effective on June 2, 1971.

The order addresses the 2006 manual rate filings submitted by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association for all types and classes of risks. It involves consideration of rate changes for commercial and residential properties, non-hurricane and hurricane losses, associated loss adjustment expenses, and contributions to the Catastrophe Reserve Trust Fund. The order sets specific expense provisions, including those for commission, brokerage, general expenses, taxes, licenses, fees, and the net cost of reinsurance. It approves modified rates for commercial and residential property risks and denies a petition to suspend the rate change limitation.

The strategic management plan outlines the organization and reforms of the workers' compensation system. It focuses on stakeholder input, technology use for simplification, respect for all participants, and collaboration to restore injured employee functionality and return them to work. Key areas include injured employee services, return to work, medical quality, cost and access, dispute resolution, and performance-based oversight. The plan also emphasizes electronic medical billing and stakeholder involvement in rulemaking and policymaking.

The meeting included updates from the Office of the Medical Advisor, covering quality of care complaints and medical quality reviews. There were discussions on compliance and investigations, including complaint data, compliance audits, and fraud prosecution units. Updates were provided on the Designated Doctor Program, DWC Forms and Notices, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), legislative matters, and litigation cases. The meeting also featured a hearings update, covering proceedings and electronic document handling.

The Fiscal Year 2021 Research Agenda for the Workers' Compensation Research and Evaluation Group (REG) focuses on monitoring the Texas workers' compensation system, addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluating healthcare networks. Key areas of focus include completing and publishing the 2021 Workers' Compensation Health Care Network Report Card, analyzing the initial impact of COVID-19 on the Texas workers' compensation system, and studying the use of telemedicine in the Texas workers' compensation system.