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A Conference To Bet On
By NATIONAL WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND DISABILITY CONFERENCE® & EXPO STAFF Hopefully what happens in Vegas won't stay in Vegas. At least when it comes to the workers' compensation knowledge to be learned there next month. Hopefully, upon departure, that knowledge will be retained, investigated further and shared with colleagues.
Attendees of this year's conference will find it even easier to enjoy the sessions most fitting their experience levels and learning styles. Educational sessions will now be marked with session levels--Workers' Comp 101, Advanced, All, and Cutting Edge--as well as session types-- Lecture, Interactive, Discussion and Ask the Expert. A summary follows here for three of the session tracks. The remainder of the 35 sessions--in the legal and regulatory issues, and the return-to-work and safety tracks--will appear in the November issue of Risk & Insurance®. For more information on everything from expo vendors to keynote speakers please visit the conference Web site. CLAIMS MANAGEMENT What: CM1-A: Early Intervention Strategies to Reduce Your Workers' Comp Costs Session Level: Cutting Edge Session Type: Lecture Who: Aislinn Matthews-Graham, RN BSN, MBA, occupational health nurse, administrator/nurse case manager, United States Postal Service, Albuquerque District, N.M. Why: The longer you wait to intervene in a workers' comp claim, the more complex?and expensive?it becomes. Some companies have started employing nurses to handle workplace injuries. Matthews-Graham will show you how you can keep many workplace injuries from going beyond medical ailments with simple early-intervention tactics. When: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. What: CM1-B: Strategies to Implement E-Billing in Workers' Comp Session Level: Advanced Session Type: Discussion Who: Greg Fisher, president, StrataCare, Irvine, Calif.; Lonnie Hardin, president/COO, MedAvant, Santa Ana, Calif. Why: Electronic billing is slowly but surely becoming the norm in workers' comp. Driven from the statutory/regulatory vantage points, claims payers are beginning to see that e-billing eases consolidation for providers and reduces duplicate bills, which in turn reduces workloads on claim staffs. Our speakers will outline the process and give you a chance to work through the unique challenges--showing you viable strategies and alternatives to achieve seamless, effective and efficient e-billing. When: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. What: CM2: Best of the Best: Workers' Comp Award Winners Share Their Secrets Session Level: All Session Type: Interactive Who: Winners of Risk & Insurance® magazine's Theodore Roosevelt Workers' Compensation and Disability Management Awards. Moderator: Yolanda Romero, director of workers' compensation, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia. Why: The best workers' comp programs in the country have been identified and you have the opportunity to learn what makes them successful. Romero, a former "Teddy" winner and one of the judges for the awards, will give you insight into why these programs were deemed the best and invite you to ask questions and discuss issues with this year's winners. When: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2:45 p.m.-4 p.m. What: CM3: Analytics: How Your TPA's Data Can Help You Reduce Claims Costs Session Level: Advanced Session Type: Interactive Who: Carmen A. Bodden, director of risk management, Saint-Gobain Corporation, Valley Forge, Pa.; Maddy Bowling, principal, Maddy Bowling & Associates, Wheaton, Ill.; Joel Raedeke, avp, ESIS Strategic Outcomes, Chicago. Why: Useful data from your TPA is essential to reducing your claims costs. But rather than just benchmarking the data, you need to be able to interpret what the information really means to your company. Only then can you make changes that will yield positive results. Our speakers will discuss, and get you involved in learning about, the next generation of data analytics. Find out how to become an active participant in achieving overall better results. Learn what to look for and how to work with a TPA to generate truly positive results in your claims process. When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 8:45 a.m.-10 a.m. What: CM4: Soup to Nuts: How to Handle a Claim From Injury to RTW (Part I) Session Level: Workers' Comp 101 Session Type: Interactive Who: Stephen M. Bennett, chief operations officer, Safety Consulting Group, St. Charles, Mo.; Cindy Roth, RN, CEO, Ergonomic Technologies Corporation, Syosset, N.Y. Why: Ever wonder what the entire process for handling a workers' comp claim should look like, or how others do it? In this invaluable, special double session, Bennett and Roth will take you through an entire claim--from beginning to end--with you doing much of the lifting. Starting with the moment of injury right through the claimant's return to work, you'll be an active participant in the progression of the claim. When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. What: CM5: Soup to Nuts: How to Handle a Claim From Injury to RTW (Part II) Session Level: Workers' Comp 101 Session Type: Interactive Who: Stephen M. Bennett, chief operations officer, Safety Consulting Group, St. Charles, Mo. Cindy Roth, RN, CEO, Ergonomic Technologies Corporation, Syosset, N.Y. Why: Part II of CM4. See CM4 for Session Description. When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m. What: CM7: How to Effect Dramatic Improvements in Paralyzed Claimants Session Level: Cutting Edge Session Type: Discussion Who: Sarah Morrison, director, Spinal Cord Injury Services, Shepherd Center, Atlanta. Why: While spinal cord injuries comprise just a fraction of workers' comp injuries, they account for a significant percentage of the cost. But there's a new technique that can dramatically improve the quality of life for these patients and potentially significantly reduce your company's lifetime cost of a claim. The NeuroRecovery Network program is a cutting-edge rehabilitation technique launched by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this session, Morrison will give you the tools to update your strategy to better assist your employees with spinal cord injuries. When: Friday, Nov. 21, 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. DISABILITY MGMT/WELLNESS What: IDM1: The Happiness Quotient: How Employers Can Proactively Address Depression Session Level: Cutting Edge Session Type: Lecture Who: Carol Harnett, vp, National Practice Leader, Group Disability & Life Practices, the Hartford, Simsbury, Conn. Why: Society's reluctance to discuss mental health issues is taking a toll on employers. Depression is projected to become the second leading cause of disability worldwide by 2020. Other than providing employee assistance programs, most companies do little or nothing to improve the emotional mindset of their employees. Harnett says there are simple steps employers can take to address this increasing problem. She'll show you how to recognize employee unhappiness, understand how it impacts your workplace, and give you strategies to reduce depression--and your overall healthcare costs. When: Wednesday, Nov. 19. 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. What: IDM2-A: What's Your Problem? How to Manage Existing Behavioral Health Issues Session Level: Workers' Comp 101 Session Type: Lecture Who: Pam Caggianelli, manager, Corporate Health & Global Privacy Compliance, Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, N.Y. Why: Behavioral health issues in the workplace can manifest in a variety of ways such as substance abuse, depression, paranoia or mood conditions. This is frustrating, scary and often left unmanaged by employers in hopes of self-resolution. What's more, co-workers can become resentful and angry--creating additional problems. With thousands of people having a mental illness, developing strategies to manage the conditions can benefit the affected employee and those they work and live with. Caggianelli will share with you the signs that relate to certain mental illnesses and give you practical advice on how to manage behavioral health issues before they threaten you, your company and your employees. When: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2:45 p.m.-4 p.m. What: IDM2-B: Strategies to Integrate Workers' Comp and FMLA: Streamlining Processes and Reducing Abuse Session Level: All Session Type: Discussion Who: Jim Brown, vp, FMLA Source, ComPsych Corporation, Chicago Why: The vast majority of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) cases are concurrent with workers' comp or disability. Understanding the processes for integrating them can save you time and headaches, reduce abuse of the system and protect your company from liability. Brown will steer you through integration, showing you strategies you can use to streamline the process. When: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2:45 p.m.-4 p.m. What: IDM3-A: Wellness Programs: Are They All They're Cracked Up to Be? Session Level: All Session Type: Ask the Expert Who: Carol Harnett, vp, national practice leader, Group Disability & Life Practices, the Hartford, Simsbury, Conn. Why: Are you wondering about wellness programs and what, if any, impact they have on disability programs? What are the latest trends? Are they worth all the hype? Here's your chance to find out from an expert. Harnett will be at your disposal to answer questions about wellness programs and the latest trends in employee health management. When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 8:45 a.m.-10 a.m. What: IDM3-B: How to Establish a Successful Disability Management Program Session Level: Workers' Comp 101 Session Type: Discussion Who: Stephen J. Fireoved, attorney, the Chartwell Law Offices, Norristown, Pa. Why: A well-constructed disability management program can save millions of dollars in workers' comp costs and protect employees. The key is making sure it's truly a team effort--from managers to unions and employees, as well as medical, rehabilitation and legal professionals. Fireoved developed such a program for one company that saw a $12 million savings over a 12-year period. He'll guide you through the road blocks and show you how to implement an effective disability management program. When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 8:45 a.m.-10 a.m. What: IDM4: A Primer on Saving Millions: Lessons Learned from the Award-Winning Houston School District Session Level: All Session Type: Lecture Who: Tom Dolan, workers' comp manager, Houston Independent School District, Houston, Texas; Connie Miller, vp business development, BTE Technologies, Greenwood Village, Colo.; Kerwin Williams, senior vp, absence and care management, Crawford & Co., Atlanta. Why: It doesn't take an exorbitant amount of money to minimize workers' comp expenses and promote the health and safety of injured workers. Just ask anyone from the Houston Independent School District (HISD)--winner of the 2007 Risk & Insurance® magazine Theodore Roosevelt Award. HISD saved more than $14 million in the last five years. Now it's turning its attention to other benefit lines. Learn how the HISD conducted a physical demands analysis and developed a team of experts with limited resources--and see how you can apply the same strategies to your organization. When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. What: IDM6: How to Change Your Organization's Wellness Culture to Impact Your Bottom Line Session Level: Advanced Session Type: Discussion Who: Joanne L. Sargent, RN, president, Sargent and Associates Loss Management Services, Chelmsford, Mass. Why: It's a proven fact that healthy employees with few or no risk factors are less likely to be injured on the job and more likely to return to work sooner after an injury than workers who smoke, are overweight, get little exercise, or are otherwise unhealthy. But as an employer, there isn't much you can do to foster a workplace of wellness, right? Not so, say the experts. Sargent will offer practical, proven strategies, then present real-life scenarios to help you work through ways to improve your organization's wellness culture. When: Friday, Nov. 21, 8:45 a.m.-10 a.m. What: IDM7: How to Finagle Integrated Leave Management to Best Help Your Employer and Employees Session Level: All Session Type: Discussion Who: Jana Copeland, director, DBTAC Rocky Mountain ADA Center, Colorado Springs, Colo. Why: Managing the integration of workers' comp, injury leave, and FMLA systems can be tricky. Copeland will show you practical strategies for integrated leave management and offer numerous resources, as you work through specific scenarios she provides. This session will show you how to use various types of leave to get your injured employees back on the job in a timely, successful manner. When: Friday, Nov. 21, 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. MED/BEHAVIORAL SOLUTIONS What: MB1: How to Separate Compensable Injuries from Those Associated With Risky Behaviors Session Level: All Session Type: Lecture Who: Dr. David Cooper, director of orthopedic surgery, the Knee Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Why: There is a good chance that some workers' comp injuries you're managing may not be work-related. In many cases, they may not even be age-related. Risky behaviors, such as smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, excessive exercise, and other factors can play as much or more of a role in injuries as accidents and natural causes. How can you tell what's causing the ailments? Find out, and learn practical strategies to assess each situation from this highly regarded expert. When: Wednesday, Nov. 19: 11 a.m. -12:15 p.m. What: MB2: Mastering Implementation: Turning ACOEM Disability Prevention Guidelines into Reality Session Level: Advanced Session Type: Discussion Who: Dr. Jennifer Christian, president, Webility Corp., Wayland, Mass. Why: Howcan you take new ideas and use them to produce better results in your organization? Come find out, as Christian helps you understand how toimplement the work disability prevention guidelines from the American College for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). Christian, who has personally led two successful change initiatives, willdiscuss in depth how to turn ACOEM's 16 recommendations for improving the stay-at-work and return-to-work processes into consistent realities. This session is aimed at anyone who feels responsible for improving the overall effectiveness of programs that manage workers' comp cases and claims. Come prepared to work and learn. When: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2:45 p.m.-4 p.m. What: MB3: Can You Dupe Dr. Dave? Session Level: All Session Type: Ask the Expert Who: Dr. David Cooper, director of orthopedic surgery, the Knee Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Why: Do you have questions about neck, back, shoulder, knee or hip injuries? Think you have a question that not even one of the best workers' comp physicians can answer? Try it, as this orthopedic expert takes your most difficult questions. Who knows--there may even be a prize for the attendee who can stump him! When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 8:45 a.m.-10 a.m. What: MB4: 6th Edition of the AMA Guides: What's New and How They Can Help You Session Level: All Session Type: Interactive Who: Dr. Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach, physician, Spine Care and Forensic Medicine, PLLC, Tucson, Ariz. Why: The American Medical Association has just released its 6th Guide to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, and there are many changes you need to understand to streamline your workers' comp program. Widely accepted as the most reliable medical reference on impairment evaluation since its inception in 1971, the Guides are highly valued by physicians who use their authoritative chapters to determine how to assess for impairment. In this session, Dr. Eskay-Auerbach will break it down for you and answer your questions. When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. What: MB5-A: Distressed Executives Are Easier to Handle Than Disturbed Ones: How to Recognize the Difference and Deal With Them Session Level: All Session Type: Discussion Who: Dr. Jeffrey P. Kahn, CEO, WorkPsych Associates; clinical associate professor of psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, N.Y. Why: Distressed executives not only are less productive, but they can negatively affect subordinates, peers, decision making, and the company as a whole. Yet, because of their positions, they can be awkward to approach about seeming distress, and harder still to be guided toward effective solutions. What does this mean for you and your company? What can be done? What lessons apply to all distressed employees? Kahn will discuss this important topic, present a real-life scenario, and help you figure out solutions to other possible posed scenarios. When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m. What: MB5-B: How to Implement the 6th Edition of the AMA Guides Session Level: Advanced Session Type: Discussion Who: Dr. Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach, physician, Spine Care and Forensic Medicine, PLLC, Tucson, Ariz. Why: Dr. Eskay-Auerbach will first lead you through the necessary steps to make the Guides 6th Edition a relevant and practical resource for managing your workers' comp claims. Thenshe'll pose a specific scenario and challenge you to apply the 6th Edition before leading you through using it effectively in case management. When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m. What: MB6: Panic Disorder: What Is It, How Important Is It, and What Can You Do? Session Level: All Session Type: Ask the Expert Who: Dr. Jeffrey P. Kahn, CEO, WorkPsych Associates; clinical associate professor of psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University,New York, N.Y. Why: Panic disorder is one of the most overlooked medical conditions, yet it's far more prevalent than you might think. In fact, panic is sometimes called the "Great Pretender," since it can mimic cardiac, pulmonary, phobic, depressive and so many other diseases. But it's easy to treat when recognized.Panic disorder is a career-limiting illness that impacts employers--financially and otherwise--as well as the employee. In this Ask the Expert session, you'll have an opportunity to question Kahn about panic disorder, how it affects your employees, and what you can do about it. When: Friday, Nov. 21, 8:45 a.m.-10 a.m. October 15, 2008 Copyright 2008© LRP Publications |
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