At the 2017 IAIABC Annual Convention, Curtis Weber with High Voltage Consulting shared his story as a severely injured worker who went on to become a safety trainer and consultant. Curtis was just a normal kid from a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada. He was active and sports loving. At age 17, he had passed a tryout and been offered a spot on a Canadian junior hockey team, which is their version of NHL developmental leagues. The summer after he graduated high school, he stayed in his home town to work setting up grain bins (which is a large metal
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At the 2017 IAIABC Annual Conference Michele Hibbert-Iaobacci from Mitchell International gave a presentation on how telemedicine can change workers’ compensation. The need for telemedicine on the healthcare side is highlighted by the shortage of physicians which is continually getting worse. Telemedicine allows patients in both rural and populated areas to easily see doctors. This is something we will see more in group health in the future. Workers’ compensation is lagging in this area. There are three types of telehealth modalities: Real time consultations, store and forward, and remote monitoring. Store and forward is the most common use right now
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At the IAIABC Annual Convention, Nicholas Trego, Clinical Operations Manager with the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation discussed their strategies to reduce inappropriate opioid consumption on claims. The State of Ohio is the monopolistic workers’ compensation carrier. The program started in 2014 when they gained access to the Ohio PDMP. This allowed them to access the state database showing all opioid prescriptions that an injured worker was receiving. In 2015 they implemented coverage for nalozone products as part of opioid overdose prevention. Ohio developed a closed drug formula that focused on several things, including whether the medication is causally related
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At the 2017 International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) Annual Convention, workers’ compensation regulators from around the nation discussed regulatory and policy issues in their jurisdiction. New Mexico Just filed a 16% decrease in workers’ compensation rates. They are getting push back on that from carriers who feel it is excessive and not supported by continued loss development. Colorado Biggest news this year is implementation of Colorado uninsured employers guarantee fund, which provides benefits for injured workers if their employer was not insured. Assessments cover the costs of this. The assessments may not be sufficient at first
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At the 2017 CWC and Risk conference Lyn Asio-Booz, Chief, California Office of Self Insurance Plans, Jon Wroten, Senior Vice President, Sedgwick CMS, and Joe Carresi, Manager, Workers’ Compensation, Southern California Edison discuss self-insurance trends for 2018.  Benefits of self administration Advocacy based claims model Pharmacy benefit network Return to work programs Cognitive behavioral therapy program for pain Nurse case management program On call claim representative and nurse case manager Better benefit/leave coordination (occupational/non-occupational) Better ability to manage claims in terms of costs Let’s look at a regulator’s perspective  Office of Self Insurance Plans (OSIP) by the numbers 2015 4.33
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What does it mean to return to work for a work related injury versus a non-industrial injury? What is reasonable accommodation? What is are the consequences for failing to accommodate adequately? At the 2017 CWC and Risk conference a panel leads a discussion on return to work and the interactive process. The panel included: · Matthew Graulich, Global Claims Specialist, Whole Foods Market · Megan Sullivan, Managing Partner, Michael Sullivan & Associates LLP · Lisa Aguiar, Managing Partner, Employment Law Section, Michael Sullivan & Associates LLP · Nicole Chappelle, Assistant Vice-President Reserve Administration, Gallagher Bassett Outcome is the same regardless of
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Let’s gain some insight to develop and execute a holistic approach to controlling the cost of claims by: defining your partnerships by performance and outcomes versus service levels and tactics, selecting and quantifying key targets that establish proper focus and accountability on few greatest opportunities to reduce your costs of risk, integrating a comprehensive data management plan for better decision making and accountability, and implementing and executing data driven solutions that are proven to reduce loss cost. At the 2017 CWC and Risk conference a panel of experts dives into these costs saving ideas.The panel included: · Kevin Grady, Managing
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Millions of dollars are spent annually on treating low back pain (LBP). It accounts for one third of all occupational musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses resulting in work disability. At the 2017 CWC and Risk conference a panel of experts discuss lower back pain and the latest research. The panel included: · Michael Rosenthal, Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, San Diego State University · Matthew Walsworth, MD, PT Interventional Radiologist, West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and Faculty Member, University of California, Los Angeles · Jennifer Christian, MD, President and Chief Medical Officer, Webility Corporation · Angela DeBortoli,
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At the 2017 CWC and Risk conference, Out Front Ideas host Mark Walls lead a conversation with a panel of risk managers around best practices around a wide variety of topics.  The panel of speakers include:  · Tamara Ciraulo, Director Insurance Administration, Stater Bros. · Monica M. Lichtenstein, AVP Strategic Claims Operations, Aramark · Dawn Watkins, Director, Integrated Disability Management, Los Angeles Unified School District · Mark Walls, Vice President Communications & Strategic Analysis, Safety National (moderator)  What key performance indicators does your company measure? -Starting to measure how often or when does a person get litigated -tracking frequency and
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Understanding why attacks occur and how to prevent a catastrophe in your workplace is vital to keeping your workplace safe. At the 2017 CWC and Risk conference experts from Riverside Community College District and County of San Bernardino come together to discuss what an active shooter is and why they do what they do, how to train your employees, and how to recover its operations after an event. The speakers include: · Michael Simmons, Director, Risk Management, Riverside Community College District · Robert Gunzel, Chief of Police, Riverside Community College District · Ken Hernandez, Director of Risk Management, County of San
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