MEMORANDUM 2024-07
Chief Administrative Law Judge Morelli has released Memorandum 2024-07, which outlines updated maximum compensation rates. Per the Chairman's directive, for injuries sustained on or after October 1, 2024, the maximum total disability rate is set at $1,654.00, based on the estimated statewide average weekly wage. Similarly, the maximum temporary partial and permanent partial disability rates for injuries occurring after this date will be $1,191.00, derived from the average weekly earnings of manufacturing workers in Connecticut.

BURIAL EXPENSES
Effective January 1, 2024, burial expenses for deaths covered under the Workers' Compensation Act have been adjusted to $13,885.25. This reflects a 3.2% increase in the 2023 Northeast CPI-W. Connecticut General Statutes Section 31-306, amended in 2021, mandates that burial benefits be adjusted annually based on CPI increases for urban wage earners and clerical workers in the Northeast as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT
The mileage reimbursement rate has increased to 67 cents per mile as of January 1, 2024. This marks an adjustment from the previous rates: 65.5 cents per mile in 2023 and 62.5 cents per mile starting July 1, 2022.

MEMORANDUM 2024-05
A new memorandum issued by the Chairman permits physicians to charge for causation or permanency opinions in denied cases. Starting July 1, 2024, treating physicians can charge up to $400 for providing a causation opinion or Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) rating in denied claims. Such reports must be requested by the patient or their representative, and the patient assumes responsibility for the cost. Physicians seeking higher fees may petition an administrative law judge for approval. Updates reflecting this change will be made to the Professional Guide for Attorneys, Physicians, and Other Health Care Practitioners and the Payor and Medical Provider Guidelines.

MEMORANDUM 2024-04
As of June 14, 2024, several Workers' Compensation Commission forms have been updated:

• Form 30C and Form 30D: Added checkboxes to track firefighter cancer claims under Public Act No. 22-139 and included updated language on post-traumatic stress injuries.
• Hearing Request Form: Includes a field for injured workers to provide an email address.
• Voluntary Agreement Form: Contains a checkbox to identify wage calculations pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 5-142.
• WCR-1 Rehabilitation Request Form: Expanded submission options to include email or fax, along with an additional field for applicants to list their email addresses.

Additionally, a new form titled "Indemnity Only Stipulation and What it Means" has been introduced.

MEMORANDUM 2024-03
Starting July 1, 2024, wage statements must accompany all Voluntary Agreements. If the claimant has multiple employers, wage statements from each employer must be included. Agreements submitted without these documents will be rejected.

MEMORANDUM 2024-02
The Workers' Compensation Commission has issued the 2024 Connecticut Fee Schedule for Hospitals and Ambulatory Surgical Centers, effective April 1, 2024. The fee schedule can be purchased from OPTUM360 at 1-800-464-3649, option 1, or via their website at Optum360, using the keyword "Connecticut."

MEMORANDUM 2024-01
The Workers' Compensation Commission has temporarily suspended its mediation program to review its guidelines. The suspension was prompted by non-compliance and misuse of the program. While the review is ongoing, private mediation services are available for claim resolution.

NEW WORKERS' COMPENSATION PORTAL
A new Workers' Compensation portal has been launched, offering enhanced features for searching managed care plans, reviewing workers' compensation coverage, and submitting requests for records or information. The portal also enables users to search an individual's compensation history and access information about specific claims. The portal can be accessed here.

Additionally, an alternate website provides information on hearing schedules, claim lists for employees, Form 36 status updates, and other related inquiries. It is accessible here.