What’s New: In Brief (June 09, 2008)

The hourly rate for services rendered on or after July 1, 2008 has increased by 2.2%, as per the Professional Services Guideline of the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO).FSCO has released an updated version of Professional Services Guideline and an updated Pre-approved Framework (PAF) Guideline for grade I and II whiplash-associated disorders (WAD I and WAD II).The fee increase is based on the 2007 Consumer Price Index for expenses related to services rendered on or after July 1, 2008, according to a FSCO bulletin. The fees outlined in Appendix B and C of the PAF Guideline for WAD I and WAD II are also being increased by 2.2% for services rendered on or after July 1, 2008, the bulletin notes. “The new PAF Guideline for WAD I and WAD II is effective July 1, 2008,” FSCO notes in the bulletin. “It will apply to all new Pre-approved Framework Treatment Confirmation Forms (OCF-23) that are submitted by a health practitioner on or after July 1, 2008, or when the insurer has waived the requirement for an OCF-23 on or after July 1, 2008.”The guidelines can be downloaded at www.fsco.gov.on.ca

Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. is hosting a career fair on June 18 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Doubletree International Plaza Hotel in Toronto.Crawford’s push to recruit new talent comes in the wake of an Insurance Institute demographic study. The Institute’s research found that due to a rapidly aging workforce, compounded by fewer young people choosing insurance as a career, a work shortage exists within the industry.Those unable to attend in person can visit Crawford’s virtual career fair at www.workopolis.ca and type the key words “career fair opportunities.”