At the 2017 WCRI Annual Issues and Research Conference, Alex Swedlow from the California Workers’ Compensation Institute discussed the impact of California’s workers’ compensation reforms. The highlights: The SB 863 reforms in California have resulted in declines in medical costs and overall claims costs for California employers. Average medical costs per claim at 24 months […]

At the 2017 WCRI Annual Issues and Research Conference, Bogdan Savych of WCRI and Glenn Pransky of Liberty Mutual Research institute for Safety talked about the importance of worker perceptions and communications its injured workers. WCRI presented research on their worker outcome surveys. WCRI started injured worker surveys because the voice of injured workers is […]

At the 2017 WCRI Annual Issues and Research Conference, former US Representative Henry Waxman and former US Senator Tom Colburn discussed how the 2016 election is impacting a variety of issues. The discussion was moderated by WCRI CEO John Ruser. Healthcare The Affordable Care Act was complex legislation and changing it is changing it. By […]

Telemedicine is a hot topic with lots of discussion around its potential to favorably impact workers’ compensation by improving medical care access, but to what extent is it actually feasible today? This session at the 2016 National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference featured viewpoints from an employer, vendor and carrier. Speakers included: Ann Schnure, VP […]

At the 2016 National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference, David Jones from Express Scripts, Inc., and Peter Greaney from WorkCare, Inc., presented a case study in how Express Scripts used telephonic case management to improve their claims results.  Express Scripts is a pharmacy benefit management service that is one of the largest dispensers of medications […]

Return-to-work programs frequently get cited as essential claims management tools for helping injured workers recover while eliminating employer costs. Yet many employers have not implemented programs, perhaps fearing that the task is too daunting. This session at the 2016 National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference offered strategies to create a return-to-work program. Speakers included: Ann-Marie […]

At the 2016 National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference, Stuart Colburn from Downs Stanford P.C and Jacob Lazarovic, M.D., from Broadspire explained causation standards that can assist in defending soft tissue claims.  Causation standards vary significantly by jurisdiction. The exact same argument in two different states can result in two different results based on how […]

Medical treatment guidelines can improve worker health by helping doctors and nurses deliver proper care. Multiple pain guidelines exist and, as their use grows, there is a greater need for claims managers to learn how they are best applied. This session at the 2016 National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference illustrated the purpose of chronic […]

This roundtable session at the 2016 National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conference provided key strategies and tangible practices from this year’s Teddy Award Winners. Panelists included: Danielle Hill, Human Resources Compliance Manager, Hampton Roads Transit Jennifer Massey, Corporate Director of Safety and Health and Claims Management, Harder Mechanical Contractors Laurie English, Senior VP, Chief Human […]

At the 2016 National Workers’ Compensation & Disabilty Conference, a panel discussed using an advocacy approach to workers’ compensation claims management. The panel was: Denise Algire – Director Managed Care & Disability Corporate Risk, Albertsons Companies Scott Daniels – Director of Disability, Comcast William Wainscott – Manager Workers’ Compensation & Occupational Health, International Paper Kimberly […]