Opioids are associated with many physical, psychological and socially adverse consequences and have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Despite the danger they pose and lack of literature to support their efficacy in chronic pain, opioids continue to be prescribed frequently to injured workers. This session at WCI’s 2018 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference explored alternative treatments for chronic pain management. The panel included: Eric Patten, Senior Director of Clinical Services, One Call Marcos A. Iglesias, MD, MMM, FAAFP, FACOEM, Senior Vice President/Chief Medical Officer, Broadspire Mark Pew, Senior Vice President, Product Development & Marketing, Preferred Medical Contrary to most
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Thanks to technology, the investigative community is experiencing a renaissance period. This session at WCI’s 2018 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference explored social media monitoring software and its positive impact on claim outcomes. The panel included: Steve Cassell, President & CEO, Command Investigations Andrew Olwert, President, Next Level Administrators David Shoaff, Manager, Claims, Red Lobster Steve Figliuolo, Senior Consultant, Risk Management, Chick-fil-A Corporate The majority of workers’ compensation claims are legitimate and the employees want to get back to work, however, there is a small percentage of claims that are exaggerated, misrepresented or just opportunist. New technologies are emerging to help
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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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