Tennessee Workers Comp Rate Increase 2026: NCCI Announces Proposed October 1 Loss Cost Filing

Tennessee has a workers compensation loss cost change proposed for October 1, 2026 that is tied directly to the state medical fee schedule. Because this is a law only filing, the change reflects the cost impact of the fee schedule update rather than experience based ratemaking.

Key figures in TN-2026-04:

• Proposed overall average voluntary loss cost level increase of 4.8%
• Proposed overall average rate level increase of 4.8% for the assigned risk market
• Proposed effective date of October 1, 2026 for new and renewal policies
• Advisory loss costs exclude all expense provisions except loss adjustment expenses

Important: When the filing circular was published, the values had been filed with the regulator but were not yet approved. The information should be used as is and the data should not be relied upon until the filing has been approved by the regulator. NCCI will announce approved values in an approval circular and post them on ncci.com.

Quick Answers: NCCI TN-2026-04 at a Glance

• What it is: NCCI voluntary advisory loss cost and assigned risk rate law only filing for Tennessee
• Proposed change: 4.8% increase in both voluntary loss costs and assigned risk rates
• Proposed effective date: October 1, 2026 for new and renewal policies
• Driver: Tennessee medical fee schedule update effective April 1, 2026
• Status: Filed but not yet approved by the Tennessee Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance

What Is NCCI Filing TN-2026-04?

NCCI filing TN-2026-04, also referred to as TN 2026 04 or the NCCI Tennessee filing for 2026, is a law only filing in Tennessee. The proposed change is driven by the cost effect of changes to the medical fee schedule that became effective April 1, 2026. The filing proposes an overall average loss cost level increase of 4.8% for the voluntary market and an overall average rate level increase of 4.8% for the assigned risk market, with a proposed effective date of October 1, 2026 for new and renewal policies.

The filing circular contains the original filing along with detailed calculations and actuarial support. It will be supplemented, but not replaced, by an approval circular once regulatory approval is issued.

Tennessee Workers Compensation Filing Update: NCCI TN-2026-04 Overview

Staying current with Tennessee workers compensation filings is essential to writing accurate accounts and setting clear expectations with insureds. On June 10, 2026, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) submitted a voluntary advisory loss cost and assigned risk rate law only filing to the Tennessee Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance. The filing is identified as circular TN-2026-04 (also referenced as NCCI TN 2026 04) and proposes a Tennessee workers comp rate increase for 2026, with a proposed effective date of October 1, 2026 for new and renewal policies.

This guide walks Tennessee agents through what the filing proposes and how to communicate the change to insureds with confidence.

Expert Insight

Cat Stinson, Vice President of Underwriting, Berkley Industrial Comp

“Tennessee agents have a clear opportunity here. NCCI has filed a 4.8% law only change for both the voluntary and assigned risk markets, tied to the medical fee schedule update that took effect April 1. The proposed effective date is October 1, 2026, and right now the values are filed but not yet approved.

For your renewals, the move is straightforward. Get in front of insureds early, explain that this is a law only filing connected to the medical fee schedule, and remind them that the final values will be confirmed in the approval circular. That preparation builds trust and positions you as the workers comp expert your insureds expect.”

Tennessee NCCI Filing 2026: Workers Comp Impact

What Does the Filing Propose?

• Filing type: Voluntary advisory loss cost and assigned risk rate law only filing
• Driver: Impact of changes to the Tennessee medical fee schedule, effective April 1, 2026
• Proposed effective date: October 1, 2026 for new and renewal policies
• Voluntary market: Overall average loss cost level increase of 4.8%
• Assigned risk market: Overall average rate level increase of 4.8%
• Expense treatment: Advisory loss costs exclude all expense provisions except loss adjustment expenses

Who Is Affected by NCCI TN-2026-04?

The proposed change applies to new and renewal Tennessee workers compensation policies in both the voluntary and assigned risk markets on or after the proposed October 1, 2026 effective date, subject to regulatory approval.

What This Means for Tennessee Workers Comp Agents

• Policies renewing on or after October 1, 2026 will reflect the law only adjustment once the filing is approved
• The change is system level, so individual account movement will vary by class code distribution, mod, schedule rating, and carrier loss cost multiplier
• Because the filing is law only, the change reflects the medical fee schedule update rather than a shift in loss experience
• The proposed values should not be treated as final until NCCI publishes an approval circular

NCCI TN-2026-04: Action Steps for Tennessee Agents

Start Early: Identify accounts renewing on or after October 1, 2026 and begin pre renewal conversations. Make sure insureds understand the proposed change before quotes are delivered.

Educate Clearly: Help insureds understand that TN-2026-04 is a law only filing, that the 4.8% is a system level average, and that the filing reflects medical fee schedule changes effective April 1, 2026.

Monitor Approval Status: The 4.8% values are proposed, not approved. Watch for the NCCI approval circular and confirm the final values before relying on them in renewal communications. Approved values will be posted on ncci.com.

Audit Readiness: Encourage insureds to keep classification and payroll data clean. Accurate exposure data adds value any time loss cost assumptions shift.

For more information: NCCI Customer Service Center at 800-NCCI-123 (800-622-4123)

Tennessee Workers Comp 2026 FAQ: NCCI TN-2026-04 Answered

What is NCCI filing TN-2026-04?

NCCI TN-2026-04, sometimes referenced as TN 2026 04, is a voluntary advisory loss cost and assigned risk rate law only filing submitted by NCCI to the Tennessee Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, with a proposed effective date of October 1, 2026 for new and renewal policies.

Are Tennessee workers comp loss costs going up in 2026?

Yes. NCCI has proposed an overall average loss cost level increase of 4.8% in the voluntary market and an overall average rate level increase of 4.8% in the assigned risk market, with a proposed effective date of October 1, 2026.

Why is NCCI filing TN-2026-04 increasing Tennessee workers compensation rates in 2026?

The filing reflects the impact of changes to the Tennessee medical fee schedule, effective April 1, 2026.

Has NCCI TN-2026-04 been approved in Tennessee?

Not yet. The values had been filed with the regulator but were not yet approved when the circular was published. NCCI will announce approved values in an approval circular and post them on ncci.com.

How does the Tennessee workers comp 2026 loss cost change affect the assigned risk market?

The proposed 4.8% rate level increase applies to the assigned risk market in addition to the voluntary market.

When does the Tennessee workers compensation rate change take effect in 2026?

The NCCI TN-2026-04 filing is proposed to be effective October 1, 2026 for new and renewal policies, pending regulatory approval.

What is the NCCI Tennessee filing for 2026?

The NCCI Tennessee filing for 2026, referenced as TN-2026-04, is a voluntary advisory loss cost and assigned risk rate law only filing that reflects the impact of changes to the Tennessee medical fee schedule effective April 1, 2026.

Why Tennessee Agents Choose Berkley Industrial Comp

Workers comp is all Berkley Industrial Comp does, and we do it with discipline, consistency, and speed. Filings like TN-2026-04 are exactly the kind of regulatory shift where wholesale agents need clear answers fast, and that is where our underwriting, claims, and risk services teams add value.

We pair specialty workers compensation expertise with direct access to decision makers, so you can move from filing notice to renewal strategy without delay.

Berkley Industrial Comp is providing this material for informational purposes only; it does not constitute legal advice or professional consulting services.  Berkley Industrial Comp makes no representations or warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of this material and expressly disclaims any liability for errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.  Employers and other recipients should seek independent legal advice before making decisions based on this material.