Schedules of Fees for Inpatient Hospital Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) and Inpatient Hospital Trauma Services

The Schedules of Fees for Inpatient Hospital Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) and Inpatient Hospital Trauma Services may be downloaded from the Fee Schedules section of the our website (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/medical-providers/fee-schedules). Both schedules are effective January 1, 2022. 

NEWS RELEASE: Change in mileage reimbursement rate

Effective January 1, 2022, the mileage rate will become 58.5 cents per mile for travel to seek medical treatment or while participating in an approved vocational rehabilitation plan. This conforms to the reimbursement rate paid to State of Nebraska employees. See related news release (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2021-8-news). 

Historic mileage reimbursement rate information is available in the Tables of Maximum / Minimum Compensation Benefits, Burial Benefits, and Mileage Reimbursement Rates on the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court’s “Benefits” web page (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/attorneys/benefit-rates).

Public Hearing and Public Meeting: January 26, 2022

The Notice, Agenda, and Proposed Amended Rules for a January 26, 2022 public hearing and public meeting are available for viewing or downloading (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings).

Rule amendments adopted at December 16, 2021 public meeting

Amendments to Rules 2, 3, 9, 12, 63, and 64 were adopted at a public meeting on December 16, 2021. Amendments to non-adjudicatory Rules 63 and 64 are effective as of December 16, 2021.  The court also adopted the proposed amendments to the Diagnostic-Related Group (DRG) Inpatient Fee Schedule found in Rule 26, which are effective as of January 1, 2022. The court did not act upon proposed amendments to Rule 26 concerning the Schedules of Fees for Medical, Surgical, and Hospital Services. Amendments to adjudicatory Rules 2, 3, 9, and 12 will become effective only upon review and approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court. The court did not adopt the proposed new Rule 14.

Inclement Weather

The offices of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court will be unstaffed for the remainder of today due to inclement weather. We will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2021.

Public Hearing and Public Meeting: December 16, 2021 [Changes to Proposed Amended Rules]

Changes to Proposed Amended Rules are effective 12/09/2021, revising the new proposed content for Rule 14, Exhibits (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings/proposed-rule-amendments).

NEWS RELEASE: Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Maximum Weekly Income Benefit To Increase

Effective January 1, 2022, the maximum weekly income benefit under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act will increase to $983.00. This amount applies to work-related injuries and illnesses occurring on or after January 1, 2022 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2021-7-news).

Career Opportunity: Statistical Specialist [Update: Position Closed]

This position will remain open until filled (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2021

Our 79th Annual Report features activities of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court in Fiscal Year 2021 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/annual-reports).

Public Hearing and Public Meeting: December 16, 2021

 The Notice, Agenda, and Proposed Amended Rules for a December 16, 2021 public hearing and public meeting are available for viewing or downloading (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings).

Decision Summaries, FY 2021

Summaries of Nebraska Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Decisions on Workers’ Compensation Cases for Fiscal Year 2021 are available on our website (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/attorneys/appellate-court-decisions).

Career Opportunity: Accounting Assistant [Update: Position Closed]

 The closing date for this position is October 22, 2021 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

Rules of Procedure, Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court’s revised Rules of Procedure are now available (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/rules-of-procedure). Amendments to Rules 3, 13, 47, 64, 65, and Addendum 2 were adopted at a public meeting on June 25, 2021. Non-adjudicatory Rules 47, 64, 65, and Addendum 2 became effective June 25, 2021. Adopted amendments to adjudicatory Rules 3 and 13 became effective September 15, 2021 following review and approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Career Opportunity: Assistant Clerk [Update: Position Closed]

The closing date for this position is September 30, 2021 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

Notice regarding new Release of Liability option and new Release of Liability form

A new option to file a Release of Liability for workers’ compensation claims becomes available effective August 28, 2021 following the passage of Legislative Bill (LB) 256, approved by Governor Ricketts on May 21, 2021. The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court has developed a new pleading form to be filed for this purpose. Read the news release (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2021-6-news).

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER: May 25, 2021 Administrative Order rescinded; mask guidance provided for appearances in the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

 Select this link to read the Administrative Order issued 08/11/2021.

• The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court will follow and comply with the terms of the Administrative Order of the Supreme Court of Nebraska dated August 9, 2021.
• Individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may appear in the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court without a face covering (cloth mask or plastic shield) and individuals who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are asked to wear a face covering when appearing in the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court for any in-person proceeding. During an in-person trial or in-person legal proceeding, the attorney or self-represented litigant asking questions of a witness and the witness who is testifying are permitted to remove their face covering while asking questions or testifying.
• The Administrative Order of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court dated May 25, 2021 is rescinded.

DRG Reporting Web Application Now Available

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court has activated its web-based data entry application for Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) reports. Hospitals and payors may report for themselves, or they may allow a third party to report for them (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/medical-providers/drg-reporting).

NEWS RELEASE: Judge Fridrich re-elected NWCC presiding judge

Judge Daniel R. Fridrich has been re-elected as presiding judge of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court. (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2021-4-news)

Rule amendments adopted at June 25, 2021 public meeting

Amendments to Rules 3, 13, 47, 64, 65, and Addendum 2 were adopted at a public meeting on June 25, 2021. Non-adjudicatory Rules 47, 64, 65, and Addendum 2 became effective June 25, 2021. Adopted amendments to adjudicatory Rules 3 and 13 will become effective only upon review and approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court. (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings)

Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court to remain open on June 18, 2021

The Nebraska Judicial Branch recognizes the Juneteenth holiday declaration. However, all Nebraska courts and probation offices, including the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court, will remain open on June 18, 2021. Please refer to the Nebraska Judicial Branch Media Release of June 17, 2021 for more information.

Senior Staff Attorney Completes Mediators' College

Senior Staff Attorney Laura Plicanic completes International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) Workers' Compensation Mediators' College. Read news release.

Nebraska Supreme Court issues new administrative order regarding novel coronavirus and COVID-19 disease

The Nebraska Supreme Court (NSC) issued an administrative order on May 21, 2021 regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 disease. Previous NSC administrative orders are superseded by the new order. Select this link to read the order.

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER: November 10, 2020 Administrative Order rescinded; mask guidance provided for appearances in the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

Select this link to read the Administrative Order issued 05/25/2021.

• In light of the positive trends in both COVID-19 cases and vaccinations in the State of Nebraska and given the absence of any mask mandate within the State of Nebraska, the Administrative Order dated November 10, 2020 (renewed by Administrative Order dated December 28, 2020) is rescinded.
• Individuals who are vaccinated against COVID-19 disease may appear in the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court without a mask.
  
• Individuals who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 disease are asked to please wear a mask when appearing in the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court.

Statistical Report, 2016 through 2020

This statistical report summarizes information reported to the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court by employers and insurers for work-related injuries and illnesses that occurred during calendar years 2016 through 2020, regardless of the year the reports were filed. Data for previously reported calendar years is divided into subcolumns that illustrate how data changes over time as a result of late reporting and corrections (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/statistical-reports).

Career Opportunity: Assistant Clerk - Two Positions Available [Update: Positions Closed]

The closing date for these positions has been extended (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

Public Hearing and Public Meeting: June 25, 2021

The Notice, Agenda, and Proposed Amended Rules for a June 25, 2021 public hearing and public meeting are available for viewing or downloading (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings).

Career Opportunity: IT Web Applications Developer [Update: Position Closed]

Position closed.

NEWS RELEASE: Honorable Mark A. Buchholz Dies at Age 92

The Honorable Mark A. Buchholz, a former Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court Judge, died at the age of 92 on April 17, 2021 in Lincoln.

Career Opportunity: Compliance Examiner EDI [Update: Position Closed]

The closing date for this position is April 26, 2021 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

Nebraska EDI Claims Release 3.1, Version 1.4 EDI Requirement Tables Available

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Claims Release 3.1 tables have been updated with changes identified as Version 1.4. For more information, please visit our EDI website (https://nwccedi.info/news).

New Nature of Injury Code for Adverse Reaction to Vaccination

 A new Nature of Injury Code (DN0035) — 38 for “Adverse reaction to a vaccination or inoculation” was approved recently by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Organizations (WCIO) and recommended by the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC).

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court (NWCC) will be ready to accept the new code effective March 8, 2021, in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat § 48-144 and Workers’ Comp. Ct. R. of Proc. 29 and 30. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) requirement tables updated with the new codes constitute the form and manner and include the content prescribed and approved by the NWCC court administrator.

For more information, please visit our EDI website (https://nwccedi.info/news).

Employer Coverage Search Application Online

 The Employer Coverage Search Application is back online (https://inet.wcc.ne.gov/apps/npoc/).

2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports for Nebraska

The 2019 Nebraska Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and Nebraska Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries are now available (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/bureau-of-labor-statistics-reports).

UPDATE: Employer Coverage Search Application

UPDATE: The Employer Coverage Search Application is back online (https://inet.wcc.ne.gov/apps/npoc/).

Correction: Decisions and Orders Search Application

Correction: The Decisions and Orders Search Application is currently ONLINE.

Rules of Procedure, Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court’s revised Rules of Procedure are now available (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/rules-of-procedure). Amendments to Rules 2, 3, 11, 26, 37, 42, 43, 47, and Addendum 2 were adopted at a public meeting on December 17, 2020. Non-adjudicatory Rules 26, 37, 42, 43, 47, and Addendum 2 became effective December 17, 2020. Adopted amendments to adjudicatory Rules 2, 3, 11 became effective January 20, 2021 following review and approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court.