Alabama

none

Alaska (withdrawn own)*

Considering

SB130 2005

“make recommendations for medical procedure guidelines to the task force”

Alberta

Own (15)

X

The Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) - Alberta, 9912 - 107 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 2S5 

Arizona

Considering

HB2405 2007

Required the Industrial Commission to adopt evidence-based treatment guidelines

Arkansas

Own (1)

X

Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission, 324 Spring Street, Little Rock, AR 72203

British Columbia

ODG

X

Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6B 5L5, adopted ODG in 2004

California (withdrawn own)*

ACOEM + ODG

X 

SB228 2003

ACOEM 2nd ed mandatory “interim” guidelines and new rules allow others (like ODG) as a supplement. DWC Embraces New ODG Chronic Pain Guideline (08/07) DWC Chooses ODG for Post-surgical Guidelines (11/07).

Insurers have realized a 70% reduction in costs since 2003. – Insurance Commissioner Poizner 1/1/08

Colorado

Own (10) + ODG (used by state fund)

X

X

CO Division of Workers’ Compensation, 633 17th Street, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202; State fund uses ODG since 2003: Pinnacol Assurance, 7501 E. Lowry Blvd., Denver, CO 80220

Connecticut

Own (4) + ODG (state fund)

X

X

CT Workers' Compensation Commission, Capitol Place, 21 Oak Street, Hartford, CT 06106; State fund adopted ODG in 2003: CT Healthcare Workers Compensation Trust, 866 North Main St., Wallingford, CT 06492

Delaware

Own (6) + Were Considering

SB362 2006; SB1 2007

Calls for creation of a 17-member Health Care Advisory Council that would develop treatment protocols.  For treatment that occurred on or after June 1, 2009, posted own state guidelines

Florida  (withdrawn own)*

AHRQ (ODG + others)

X

SB50A  2003

According to a 2007 newsletter from Florida's largest WC insurer, "Florida has mandated the use of evidence-based medicine in managed care arrangements. Summit quickly began using ODG because it provides the widely accepted, evidence-based criteria that Florida statutes require." https://www.summitholdings.com/wc/PageReader/providers/odgAbout.html

Loss costs have dropped 50.4% since the Florida Legislature passed SB 50A (NCCI, 09/18/07) Since Florida's sweeping reforms in 2003 overall reductions in rates will reach 58.3%. (NCCI, 09/08/08)

Georgia

Considering

Legislature proposed WC study for 2007

Hawaii

ODG

X

Originally ODG and ACOEM were adopted by rules, but rescinded by legislature.  Now major insurers have adopted ODG (2005) and agreement to use ODG was signed by Governor and supported by labor unions (9/1/06). "The use of treatment regimens based on medical evidence, specifically Official Disability Guidelines (ODG), ensures injured workers are provided with quality care" http://hawaii.gov/

Hawaii Cuts Loss Costs 38% (Insurance Comm J.P. Schmidt 09/18/07) HI WC Rates Down 61% Over Four Years. (Hawaii Reporter, 9/17/08)

Idaho

none

Illinois

Considering

HB2137 2005

“requires utilization review, consistent with URAC.”

Indiana

none

Iowa

none

Kansas

ODG

X

Guidelines 01/01/08

Kansas Adopts ODG - December 2007; Kansas Department of Labor Div of WC, 800 SW Jackson, Topeka, KS 66612    http://www.dol.ks.gov/WC/odg.asp 

The Division of Workers Compensation has adopted the Work Loss Data Institute's Official Disability Guidelines - Treatment in Workers Comp (ODG) as the standard of reference for evidence-based medicine used in caring for injured workers

Kansas indicates they are seeing positive responses to the use of ODG to help provide the best care for injured workers.

Kentucky

Considering ODG

X

ODG recommended as Kentucky medical guideline by Committee. Public hearing was 9/6/07. Plan is to hire new medical director before official adoption.

Louisiana

Considering ODG/own

SB303 2009

Louisianans For Workers' Compensation Reform created to draft legislation to adopt ODG. SB303 established committee to recommend. Employer group now suing the state over custom guidelines, not meet requirements in bill (not evidence based), on 1/20/11 Judge rules in favor employer group.

Maine

Own (1)

X

ME Workers' Compensation Board, 27 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333

Manitoba

Workers Comp. Board Of Manitoba, 333 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4W3

Maryland

Considering

HB1423 2005

HB1423 was proposed in 2005 to implement guidelines

Massachusetts

Own (28) / ODG

X

MA Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, 600 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111; 2/16/10 ODG approved for use by MA utilization review agents

Michigan

Considering

In 2002 Accident Fund required use of ODG by nurse case management/vocational rehab vendors. Public hearing/presentation on treatment guidelines  9/11/07, covering ODG and ACOEM.

Minnesota

Own (9)

X

Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Insurers Association, asked ODG to present to stakeholder groups

Mississippi

none

Missouri

ODG (state fund)

X

State fund adopted ODG (2005): Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance, 1000 West Nifong, Columbia, MO 65203

Montana

Own (9)

SB 108 2007

“The department may establish by rule evidence-based utilization and treatment guidelines” Provider committee evaluated WA, ACOEM & ODG; rated ODG highest: http://erd.dli.mt.gov/images/stories/pdf/utguidelines/technicalratingsfinal20100224.pdf Then considered CO and chose it as least restrictive. Custom guidelines now on hold. "The department needs to renotice rules on guidelines... The scheduled publication date of the rules is pending at this time due to potential legislative changes to 39-71-704, MCA." http://erd.dli.mt.gov/utilization-a-treatment-guidelines-project.html

Nebraska

Considering

LB1237 2006

Creates a 10-member advisory council to study issues such as utilization review and treatment guidelines.

Nevada

ACOEM + ODG (state fund)

X

Adopted ACOEM 1st ed in 1998, now most current edition. www.leg.state.nv.us/nac/NAC-616C.html#NAC616CSec123 ACOEM "adopted by reference..." "as minimum standards..." limiting use of the guidelines to restrict inappropriate care. State fund uses ODG (2005)

New Brunswick

ODG  

X

Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, 1 Portland Street, Saint John, NB E2L 3X9

New Hampshire

none

New Jersey

none

New Mexico

Considering

In 2010/2011 presentations made to NM EBM Committee.

New York

Own (4); Proposed own compilation.

X

A6163 2007

Gov. Eliot Spitzer Guidelines Task Force released new state guidelines on 12/1/07, based on modifications to a variety of other guidelines

Governor Spitzer announced a rate decline of 20.5%, from the WC reform, including requiring evidence-based treatment guidelines. 07/11/07

Newfoundland

none

North Carolina

Considering 

Public meeting/presentation on treatment guidelines 10/11/07

North Dakota

ODG

X

Workforce Safety & Insurance, PO Box 5585, Bismarck, ND 58506, adopted ODG in 2005. Introduced the new treatment and disability duration guidelines adopted by WSI, Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) http://www.workforcesafety.com/

ND WC premiums, the lowest in the nation, dropped another 40% “This is one of the largest cash infusions into the economy that ND has seen.” - House Majority Leader Rick Berg 06/30/06

Ohio

ODG

X

Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, 30 West Spring Street, Level 21 SE, Columbus, OH 43215, adopted ODG in 2003.  

The treatment guidelines adopted by BWC are the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG). http://www.ohiobwc.com/

Use of ODG cut medical costs by 64% & lost days by 69%, treatment delay reduced 77%,  & ODG drew considerable praise from doctors. - CompManagement 05/01/06 Deloitte Consulting study of Ohio WC 04/2009 rec. to further strengthen adoption of ODG: "Should require all MCOs to use ODG in UR”; "ODG is the emerging standard for UR"; “Rec. Ohio adopt ODG for RTW.” www.ohiobwc.com/deloitte

Oklahoma (withdrawn own)* 

ODG

SB878 2011

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin proposes legislation that adopts ODG. 02/23/2011 http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB878

Ontario

ODG

X 

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), 200 Front Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3J1, adopted ODG in 2003.

Oregon

Own (1) & ODG

X

X

SB670 2005 

MCO Rules were published on 05/22/06 “requiring approval of national treatment standards used by MCOs." ODG approved 2007

Pennsylvania

none

Rhode Island

Own (37) + ODG (state fund)

X

RI Dept Labor & Training Div of Workers' Comp, 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. State fund uses ODG since 2011: Beacon Mutual Insurance, 1 Beacon Center, #100, Warwick, RI 02886

South Carolina

Considering

Senator Larry Martin is proposing legislation.

South Dakota

Considering

Tennessee

ODG/ACOEM

X

Requested presentations by ACOEM & ODG. At Public hearing on 7/31/07 proposed adoption of ODG and ACOEM, effective 12/20/07

Texas      (withdrawn own)*

ODG

X

HB7 2006

“Commissioner of WC is required to adopt treatment and return to work guidelines.”  On 12/29/06 the final rules adopting ODG were signed by Commissioner Betts to apply to all WC treatment after 5/1/07

NCCI Says Texas Benefits from Reforms, where the expected loss rate decreased by 25%. 01/15/08 Texas Outcomes Data from DWC (preliminary - 12/2008): disputes declined by 44%; spinal fusions declined by 71% (for annualized savings of $211 million); average medical cost/claim declined by 26%.

10/5/11. WC costs have decreased from $2.85 per $100 payroll in 2003 to $1.47 in 2009. www.tdi.texas.gov

Utah

ODG/ACOEM + ODG (state fund)

X 

HB150 2006

“The commission shall establish by rules medical treatment and quality care guidelines.”  Utah rules (3/15/07) for Commission approval of guidelines used by insurers, including (1) “scientifically based” supported by medical studies; (2) "peer reviewed” medical studies have been reviewed; & (3) updated at least bi-annually, sources must be identified, reasonably priced, & easily accessible. State fund: https://www.wcfgroup.com/

Vermont

ODG

X

Lisa Stratton W C Section Chief, State Of Vermont, 128 State St., Drawer 33, Montpelier, VT 05633, adopted ODG in 2004

Virginia

none

Washington

Own (16)

X

Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries, PO Box 44850, Olympia, WA 98504

West Virginia

Own (12) + ODG

X

X

SB1004 2005 

"adopted the national medical treatment protocols of The Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) developed by Work Loss Data Institute."  https://www.brickstreet.com/.../BIProvider_Manual_3rd52007.pdf 

Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline approves rate reduction of 27.5%.  01/22/08

Wisconsin

Same as Minnesota

X

SB474 2006

Requires DWD to promulgate rules establishing standards for determining the necessity of treatment. They have proposed adapting the Minnesota guidelines to the needs of Wisconsin. 

Wyoming

Own (2)

X

WY Workers’ Safety and Compensation Division, 1510 E. Pershing Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82002

Yukon

ODG

X

Yukon Workers' Comp. Board, 401 Strickland St., Whitehorse, YT Y1A 5N8, adopted ODG in 2004

Note: numbers in parentheses after Own are the number of individual own state guidelines.

These 35 states/provinces have adopted guidelines, 23 of which have selected ODG. Of the remaining, Work Loss Data Institute provides links to their state specific adoptions.

*(withdrawn) means these states had their own treatment guidelines but withdrew them, in most cases to adopt nationally recognized guidelines.