Time to Talk Tech
New technologies are reshaping the world in which we live, and advancements are accelerating faster than at any other time in our history. Further, this trend is expected to continue. From expanded data-mining capabilities, to the use of telemedicine for treatment, to expanded communication channels, technology is changing the way that organizations protect and care for today’s workers. The panel for this session at the 2018 WCI conference included: Scott Westman, CPCU, CRM, CIC, ARM, SCLA, Senior Vice President – Casualty Operations, Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. (moderator) Dave Loyless, Senior Risk Manager, TBC Corporation Nathan Hughes, Director Risk Management,
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How to Generate Value in Your Risk Management Program
Defining the value of risk management is something risk managers are faced with on nearly a daily basis. Whether it’s characterized as pure savings, cost avoidance, brand protection, or creating a better framework for more informed strategic decision-making, value means something different to everyone, but is essential to a successful risk management program. During this session at the 2018 WCI conference, three different speakers describe how they define value in their organization, and how they communicate their value proposition. The panel included: Sharon DelGuercio, Provider Relations, Walt Disney World Resort Michelle Middendorf, Workers’ Compensation Manager, Stanley Steemer Nermine Demopoulos,Vice President
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California Drug Formulary Performance Results
After several years of research, debate and planning, the Pharmaceutical Drug Formulary went live in the California workers’ compensation system on January 1, 2018. At WCI’s 2018 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference, California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) President, Alex Swedlow, presented the consequences of adoption that other states might consider in developing their own formulary. The Legislative intent of California’s formulary was threefold – to improve quality of care, reduce pharmacy costs and reduce friction costs. The formulary slots drugs into exempt (drugs that do not require authorization through utilization review), non-exempt (require utilization review) and not listed (require utilization review
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Winning Strategies for Workers’ Compensation Risk Management
This session at WCI’s 2018 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference highlighted program strategies from the three winners of National Underwriter’s 2018 Excellence in Workers’ Compensation Risk Management Award. Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) Tawana Kennedy, Workers’ Compensation Manager Dallas ISD’s workers compensation claims in 2003 totaled $11.5 million. They changed their approach, resulting in claims expenses totaling under $1.5 million in 2017. Their approach to risk management became, “What can we do for you?” Their ultimate goal was to find ways for the teachers to stay safe and well so they could be at school every day for the students.
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Choices
Life is about choices. Choices in our personal life – what to eat for breakfast, what color shoes to wear with this dress, or how to speak to a child about a challenge they are confronting. We have choices every day at work – what call to return next, how to tell that client no, or how to approach your boss on an issue. These are important but oftentimes relatively easy. We also have choices that affect many people that work for us and those we serve. During a session at the 2018 WCI conference Dave North, President and CEO,
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Telerehab: The Future is Here and Now
Telerehab has become an exceedingly-popular method for occupational and physical therapy treatment options. This session at WCI’s 2018 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference explored the evolution of telerehab, including benefits and limitations The panel included: Michelle Despres, PT, CEAS II, Vice President, National Product Leader, One Call Aideen Turner, MPT, Cert. MDT, CEAS, CEO, Virtual Physical Therapists, PLLC As a whole, telehealth is growing dramatically. According to a recent study, there are over 200 telehealth networks with 3,500 service sites. Healthpopuli.com conducted another study in which 66% of Americans said they were willing to see a doctor over video, including 72%
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The Five Pillars of Wellbeing: Helping Injured Workers Back to Total Wellbeing
A panel of experts explores the five pillars that support wellbeing during this session at the 2018 WCI conference. This includes social wellbeing, community wellbeing, financial wellbeing, career wellbeing, and physical wellbeing. The panel included: Cari I. Miller, Director and Counsel, Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. (moderator) Kirstin Horan, PhD, Department of Psychology, College of Sciences, University of Central Florida Luis R. Aponte, MD Shani Wright, Assistant Branch Manager, Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. Most of the time its a physical injury that starts a workers’ compensation claim. An example of this physical claim is 52 year old RHD male stated that
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The Benefits of Telehealth in Workers’ Compensation Care
Through the evolution of telehealth, workers’ compensation medical providers are using breakthrough technology to conduct remote medical examinations that can now closely replicate an in-office visit. This session at WCI’s 2018 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference explored telehealth’s impact on the workers’ compensation system. The panel included: Arlene Guzik, DNP, ARNP-BC, Director of Occupational Medicine, BayCare Urgent Care, BayCare Health System Nathan Keith Waldrep, MD, Director of Physician Services, BayCare Urgent Care, BayCare Health System Christopher T. Lee, MD, MSPH, Medical Director – Occupational Medicine, BayCare Urgent Care, BayCare Health System Warren K. Sponsler, Attorney, Sponsler, Bishop, Koren & Hammer, PA
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The Benefits of Telehealth in Workers’ Compensation Care
Through the evolution of telehealth, workers’ compensation medical providers are using breakthrough technology to conduct remote medical examinations that can now closely replicate an in-office visit. This session at WCI’s 2018 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference explored telehealth’s impact on the workers’ compensation system. The panel included: Arlene Guzik, DNP, ARNP-BC, Director of Occupational Medicine, BayCare Urgent Care, BayCare Health System Nathan Keith Waldrep, MD, Director of Physician Services, BayCare Urgent Care, BayCare Health System Christopher T. Lee, MD, MSPH, Medical Director – Occupational Medicine, BayCare Urgent Care, BayCare Health System Warren K. Sponsler, Attorney, Sponsler, Bishop, Koren & Hammer, PA
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Improving Claims/Medical Communication Through the IME Process
In this session at the 2018 WCI conference, Dr. Repp moderated a discussion among leading IME physicians and from the claims/legal side of the industry about the appropriate techniques, correspondence skills, and medical skills necessary to obtain the most effective IME. The panel included: Cori Repp, MD, Florida Director of Medical Operations,Concentra (moderator) Jorge Trujillo, MD, PhD, Concentra Robert Haight, MD, Concentra Kristy Sands, CWC, CWCL, Assistant Vice President, Gallagher Bassett An IME is an independent medical exam. This is an objective examination conducted by someone who is separate from the person’s care and not involved in the patient’s case.
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