DWC extends COVID-19 data call for selected insurers

On Jan. 14, TDI’s Division of Workers’ Compensation extended the time frame for certain workers’ comp insurers to provide information related to COVID-19 injuries. The original data call was issued last June.

DWC expects that the additional data will provide sufficient information to determine the impact of COVID-19 injuries on the state’s workers’ compensation system. The new deadline will include data through June 2021.

Cumulative reports will be due from these selected insurance carriers or groups in accordance with three deadlines. On Jan. 29, the first report is due, covering COVID-19 exposures and injuries to the insurance carrier from Dec. 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2020, and payments made on those injuries as of Dec. 31, 2020.

The next report, covering COVID-19 exposures, injuries and payments, from Dec. 1, 2019 to March 31, 2021, due to DWC by April 30. The final report included in the Jan. 14 data call is due July 30, and must cover the same information through June 30.

 The DWC reminds insurers that only selected carriers are required to comply with the data call. A list of the selected insurance carriers, reporting forms and instructions are on the TDI website. The selected carriers represent 83 percent to 85 percent of workers’ compensation reportable claims and 90 percent of occupational disease claims for 2017-2019. They include four state insurance systems, including the State Office of Risk Management, Texas Department of Transportation and two state university systems; 17 cities; 12 counties; six hospital districts; seven school districts; seven intergovernmental risk pools; two certified self-insured employers, and 19 commercial insurance carrier groups, including Texas’s largest workers’ comp insurer, Texas Mutual Insurance Company.