More than 150,000 employers purchase workers’ compensation insurance for exposures in Massachusetts and more than 350 insurance companies are licensed to write workers’ compensation in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts insurers are regulated by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Rates must be approved by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance before they may be used. Revisions to rates must be filed at least every two years and rates have to remain in effect for at least one year. If approved by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance, carriers may apply downward rate deviations to the WCRIBMA’s filed and approved rates.
The Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) is responsible for overseeing the workers' compensation system in Massachusetts. The Division of Dispute Resolution within the DIA provides the adjudicatory forum for contested workers' compensation cases.
The residual market in Massachusetts is serviced via an assigned risk pool and voluntary direct assignment of residual market insureds. Carriers wanting to fulfill their residual market obligations by way of voluntary direct assignment must apply for approval to the Commissioner.
The guaranty fund applicable to workers’ compensation in Massachusetts is administered by Guaranty Fund Management Services.