This year brings a host of changes in workers compensation of particular importance to businesses, especially in terms of controlling costs. Experts seem to disagree as to which of these changes will have the most impact. However, they all agree on one thing: workers' compensation insurance is going to be insane in 2014.

In many states, rates will increase as the amount of money the insurance company charges for workers' compensation continues to rise. However, this is not universal. Businesses in some states can actually expect slight decreases. But don't get too excited. Even in these outlier states, insurers are being much more selective about what companies they choose to insure. What these rate increases mean is that you will be writing a bigger check for workers comp in 2014, even if your business hasn't grown substantially.

In 36 states, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is the rating bureau that determines the rules for workers' compensation and calculates the experience mods. Beginning in 2013, a substantial change to the experience mod calculation occurred. In 1991, the split point between primary and excess losses was set at $5,000. In 2013, it ballooned to $10,000.

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