Rate Filing
The WCRIBMA submitted a rate filing on November 15, 2024 to the Division of Insurance on behalf of its members recommending a 7.1% increase in average rates for industrial classes and a 3.7% decrease for F-Classes. The proposed effective date of the rate filing is July 1, 2025. Refer to Circular Letter #2441. For additional information or to view the filing, refer to the Rate Filing page.
Payroll Determination for Sole Proprietors, Partners of Legal Partnerships & Members of an LLC:
Effective October 1, 2024 the basis of premium for sole proprietors, partners of a legal partnership, and members of an LLC who elect to become employees and obtain workers compensation insurance is $66,600. Refer to Circular Letter #2437.
Executive Officer Payroll Limitations:
Effective October 1, 2024 the executive officer payroll limitations, which are based on the state average weekly wage (SAWW), changed to a minimum of $290 (weekly)/$15,080 (annual) and a maximum of $1,460 (weekly)/$75,920 (annual). Refer to Circular Letter #2436.
DIA Assessment Rates Effective July 1, 2024
The DIA assessment rates effective July 1, 2024 have been announced. Refer to Circular Letter #2429.
Contractors looking for their experience modification rating for the Mattock-Higgins Affidavit of Workplace Safety form:
Under Tools on the right side of this screen, select Experience Rating History. On the search screen, select Search by Name or Search by FEIN and enter your search criteria. On the Search Results screen, click on the combo ID number (blue link) under the Combo ID column. The Rating Information screen will provide the experience rating information - factor or DNQ (does not qualify).
WCRIBMA’s Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
In response to COVID-19,
we continue to monitor developments regarding COVID-19.
The WCRIBMA would also like to remind everyone of our extensive menu of website tools, including those for electronically submitting assigned risk applications, construction credit applications,
and ERM ownership information. We strongly recommend that users utilize these products whenever possible to ensure that any such requests are processed in a timely manner.
For additional information, refer to the COVID-19 FAQs.
Refer to:
Circular Letter #2427 - Sunsetting of COVID-19 Pandemic Provisions dated 1/24/2024.
Circular Letter #2410 - COVID-19 Pandemic Provisions Extension of Expiration Dates dated 1/05/2023.
Circular Letter #2396 - Revisions to the Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Statistical Plan and Experience Rating Plan dated 1/03/2022.
Circular Letter #2395 - Revisions to Manual Rules Related to the Covid-19 Pandemic - Extension of Expiration Date dated 1/03/2022.
Circular Letter #2385 - Adverse Reaction to Vaccine - Nature of Injury Code dated 4/16/2021.
Circular Letter #2380 - Revisions to the Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Statistical Plan and Experience Rating Plan dated 1/18/2021.
Circular Letter #2379 - Updated Guidance in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic dated 1/08/2021.
Circular Letter #2378 - Revisions to Manual Rules Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic - Extension of Expiration Date dated 12/22/2020.
Circular Letter #2372 - Revisions to Manual Rules Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic dated 7/17/2020.
Circular Letter #2365 - COVID-19 Nature of Injury, Cause of Injury, and Catastrophe Codes dated 3/31/2020.
Circular Letter #2361 - Emergency Measures in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic dated 3/24/2020.
New - Enhancement to the Class Code Lookup Tool
The WCRIBMA is pleased to announce enhancements to the Class Code Lookup tool. In addition to the associated phraseologies and current and historical rating information, the following information is now available for each class code:
- a full description of the operations covered under each classification;
- all of the applicable filed and approved footnotes that are associated with each class code; and
- Hazard Group and Industry Code assignment for each classification.
ERM Form Reporting Tool - Manage Ownership
The WCRIBMA is pleased to announce that the Manage Ownership tool is now available under the Tools & Services section of the WCRIBMA’s website. Manage Ownership is a web-based software tool that allows an employer, or a producer who is authorized by the employer, to complete and submit the WCRIBMA Request for Ownership Information Form (ERM Form) electronically to the WCRIBMA through our website. Refer to Circular Letter #2359 for details.
Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019
The NCCI's Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act Disclosure Endorsement (WC 00 04 22 C) has been approved for use by Massachusetts workers’ compensation insurers effective January 1, 2021. The TRIPRA 2019 Endorsement (WC 00 04 22 C) is mandatory for all policies effective on or after January 1, 2021. The Notification Endorsement of Pending Law Change to Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015 (WC 00 01 15) has been withdrawn and will no longer be used in Massachusetts.
Please refer to the Program Overview on the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program for additional information.
Audit Guidelines for Sole Proprietor and Partnership Certificates of Insurance
Refer to Circular Letter #2199 issued July 3, 2012.
Massachusetts Independent Contractor / Misclassification Law
The Attorney General's Office has released an Advisory on the Massachusetts Independent Contractor/Misclassification Law (M.G.L. c. 149, s. 148B). The Commonwealth’s Independent Contractor Law was designed to protect workers and ensure a level playing field among employers. The Advisory articulates the purposes of the law and provides guidance on the three prong test and other areas of the Law. In addition, the Advisory includes Enforcement Guidelines describing the areas of concern and factors which may be used by the Attorney General's Office in making a determination about enforcement.
Advisory on the Massachusetts Independent Contractor Law issued May 1, 2008
2004 Advisory from the Attorney General