Missouri insurance officials are recommending a reduction in the premiums paid by employers for workers' compensation coverage.
Insurance companies set premiums using "loss costs" that predict how much they're likely to pay in workers' compensation claims.
Missouri's insurance department said Wednesday that it recommends insurers drop those costs by roughly 11 percent next year.
Workers' compensation premiums won't automatically fall by that amount. But insurance officials estimate Missouri businesses could save up to $80 million next year if insurers accept the state's recommendation.
Missouri law requires insurers to set premiums based on the state data or on recommendations of the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
The national council has recommended that insurers reduce loss costs by 4.4 percent.