Hospital payment system saves employers $98 million per year

The commission’s hospital payment system, which became effective October 1, 2006, is saving South Carolina employers and insurance companies close to $100 million per year, according to a recent analysis by the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation
Commission.

Gary Thibault

The agency reports that figures provided by the health and demographics section of the state’s Office of Research and Statistics show the number of workers’ compensation cases treated by hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers declined 8.6 percent between 2000 and 2006. Over the same period, inpatient charges for workers’ compensation cases increased nearly 141 percent, while outpatient charges increased by almost 225 percent.

A new era at the Commission

Starting June 30, 2008 all seven commissioners at the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission will be appointees of Republican Governor Mark Sanford. Also, in addition to two new commissioners, the agency will have a new chairman, as Commissioner Andrea P. Roche will replace Chairman David W. Huffstetler. He will continue to serve as commissioner until June 30, 2012.

Andrea Pope Roche

Avery B. Wilkerson and Thomas Scott Beck will replace Commissioners J. Alan Bass and George N. Funderburk, whose terms expire on June 30. Both were appointed by Gov. Jim Hodges in 2002.

Mr. Wilkerson is mayor of Cayce, a position he has held since 1990. A graduate of Newberry College, Mr. Wilkerson is vice president at Countybanc Insurance and a past president of the Municipal Association of South Carolina and the Lexington Municipal Association.

Mr. Beck most recently served as assistant attorney general in the SC Attorney General’s Office. A former member of the SC House of Representatives (1996 – 2000), he received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Penn State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1999.

The South Carolina Senate also confirmed the re-appointment of Commissioner Derrick L. Williams, who was appointed in 2007 to complete the unexpired term of Commissioner Michelle Childs.

 NCCI, seeking 23.7% increase, accepts 9.8%

The National Council on Compensation Insurance, which in April 2007 filed for a loss cost increase of 23.7% in South Carolina, has settled for an increase of 9.8%, effective July 1, 2008.