Is the workers’ compensation system still a grand bargain for employers and injured employees? Industry bloggers gathered at The California Workers’ Comp & Risk Conference in Dana Point to answer this question with an overwhelming “NO!” The panel featured Mark Walls from Safety National and the Work Comp Analysis Group, David DePaolo from WorkCompCentral.com, Dale Debber from Providence Publications, plaintiff attorney Robert G. Rassp and Rebecca Shafer from Amaxx Risk Solutions. Below is a synopsis of their discussion. Walls: Is the workers’ compensation system still a grand bargain for employers and injured employees? DePaolo: What are we supposed to be
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This panel at the California Workers Comp & Risk Conference in Dana Point addressed current issues and best practices in regards to Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP), Medicare Set Asides (MSA) and Section 111 reporting. Panelists were moderater Mark Walls, VP Communications & Strategic Analysis at Safety National, Rafael Gonzalez, Vice President at Helios, Jessica Smythe, National Medicare Compliance Consultant at ISO Claims Partners, Melisa Zwilling, Medicare Compliance Chair at Carr Allison, and Marie Henry, Staff Counsel at ExamWorks. The session followed a Q&A format that dove into issues that are making this a complex topic. Whistleblower lawsuits are becoming a
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The Opiate Prescribing in Workers’ Compensation session at the California Workers’ Comp & Risk Conference in Dana Point offered some bold statements – opioids are not just a workers’ comp problem, they are a societal problem, and it is going to take us a decade to get out of this problem, starting with the doctor. Panelists included Roman Kownacki, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Occupational Health at Kaiser Permanente and Patti Williams, Risk Manager at City of Huntington Beach. Positive Trends: Prescription frequency still varies widely by state. Studies show that California is one of the lowest prescribers of opioids. This
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This session at the California Workers Comp & Risk Conference in Dana Point outlined projects that have successfully leveraged technology to provide timely, actionable changes that resulted in loss reduction. Panelists included Karen Kridel-Schwabe, Senior Manager Risk Management at The Walt Disney Company, Kurt Leisure, VP Risk Services at The Cheesecake Factory, Robert Dickerson, Senior Account Executive at Liberty Mutual – Helmsman, George Brogmus, Technical Director at Liberty Mutual – Helmsman, and Dr. Laurence Miller, Medical Director at Anthem Workers’ Compensation. Customized Flexible Audit Tool This tool was originally developed and utilized throughout The Walt Disney Company to address operational
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Workers’ compensation claims handling can be extremely complicated, especially in California. The session at the California Workers Comp & Risk Conference in Dana Point titled “Lets Get Ready To Rumble” focused on discussing a variety of issues that make a difficult situation even worse. The panel consisted of Bill Goldstein – Wells Fargo, Robert Rassp – plaintiff attorney, Jake Jacobsmeyer – defense attorney, Jeff Pontra – Gallagher Bassett and moderator Jeff Pettegrew – Insurancethoughtleadership.com. The issues discussed during the fast-paced 45 minute session included: * Poor communication with injured workers, which is seen as the leading reason that these workers
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This open mic session at the California Workers Comp & Risk Conference in Dana Point featured insurance market E- and C-Suite leaders, senior management and industry stakeholders identifying emerging market trends that are important to employers in California. Panelists included moderator Pamela Ferrandino, National Practice Leader at Willis North America, Bill Rabl, Chief Opperating Officer at ACE Risk Management, Robert Darby, President at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies and Former Chairman of WCIRB, Duane Hercules, President at Safety National, and Michele Tucker, Vice President at CorVel. What is your short-term rate outlook? • This year, pricing is flat or up a
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The California Workers’ Compensation & Risk Conference in Dana Point opened with a session featuring employers and stakeholders in the industry weighing in on the current state of California Workers’ Compensation and what’s on the horizon for 2015. Panelists were moderator Mark Walls, VP Communications & Strategic Analysis at Safety National, William Zachry, VP of Risk Management at Safeway, Tim East, Director of Risk Management at The Walt Disney Company, Bill Mudge, President & CEO at WCIRB California, Kurt Leisure, VP of Risk Services/Asset Protection at the Cheesecake Factory, Seeta Ambati , Esq., (defense attorney) Partner at Laughlin, Falbo, Levy
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On September 10-12, 2014 Safety National will be attending, exhibiting, and speaking at the California Workers’ Compensation & Risk Conference in Dana Point, California. Safety National speakers are Duane Hercules and Mark Walls. You can view the full conference agenda HERE

The final panel I moderated was the State of the WC Industry Panel. The panelists were Gordon Clemons from Corvel, Al Hammermiller from UPS, Scott Hudson from Gallagher Bassett, and Jim Wucherpfenning from Travelers. Among the issues discussed included: • How does CA compare to other states: The overall consensus was higher costs and a very administratively complex system. Panelists discussed the fact that higher adjuster turnover was a challenge also. • ACA and potential impact in WC: Panelists felt that access to care, especially specialists could be a significant issue • Impact to industry around pharmacy management: Panelists felt
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The panelists for this session were three attorneys, Adam Dombchik, Michael Gaston, and Michael Sullivan. There were two cases that they spent the most time discussing. Dubon vs World Restoration This case involved a UR / IMR dispute. The WCAB ruled that if a UR decision has a “material defect” then the requirement for IMR is not triggered and the WCAB maintains jurisdiction on the medical dispute. There is significant concern around this decision as it undermines the legislative intent of IMR which is medical disputes are out of the hands of judges and are instead handled by physicians. The
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