This year brings a host of changes in workers compensationof particular importance to businesses, especially in terms ofcontrolling costs. Experts seem to disagree as to which of thesechanges will have the most impact. However, they all agree on onething: workers' compensation insurance is going to be insane in2014.

In many states, rates will increase as the amount of money theinsurance company charges for workers' compensation continues torise. However, this is not universal. Businesses in somestates can actually expect slight decreases. Butdon't get too excited. Even in these outlier states, insurers arebeing much more selective about what companies they choose toinsure. What these rate increases mean is that you will bewriting a bigger check for workers comp in 2014, even if yourbusiness 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 in2013, a substantial change to the experience mod calculationoccurred. In 1991, the split point between primary and excesslosses was set at $5,000. In 2013, it ballooned to $10,000.