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Compiled by CYRIL TUOHY, managing editor of Risk & Insurance®

Editor's note:Attendees at the 20th Annual National Workers' Comp and Disability Conference® & Expo can expect an action-packed conference. With health and medical management a favorite among attendees, particularly in this era of healthcare reform, we highlightmedical and disability management sessions below.

What you can expect: The abuse and misuse of Schedule II narcotics is among the most pressing challenges facing the workers' compensation system. Hardly a day goes by without another story or study about the increasing use of opioids to treat injured workers with chronic pain. But clinicians have started some exciting programs to target and address the problem. Our distinguished panel will give you the very latest data, show you the effect it's having on the system and give you strategies to effectively deal with this issue.

Who: Barry Lipton, practice leader & senior actuary, National Council on Compensation Insurance; Gary Mills, Ph.D., director, Pacifica Pain Management Service; Dr. Bernyce Peplowski, medical director, California State Compensation Insurance Fund; and moderator Mark Noonan, managing principal, casualty practice, Integro Insurance Brokers.

When: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Integrating RTW for Occupational and Non-Occupational Employees

What you can expect: Would your occupational and non-occupational return-to-work programs pass muster with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission? If not, you could face stiff penalties. The EEOC is cracking down on companies that treat their injured employees differently from their non-occupational injured workers. Pimentel, one of the nation's foremost experts on return-to-work and disability, will outline the issues and show you how to integrate your return-to-work efforts to accommodate occupational and nonoccupational employees equally.

Who: Richard Pimentel, senior partner, Milt Wright & Associates

When: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

The Expert Physician Model: How to Improve Medical Outcomes While Lowering Costs

What you can expect: Workers' compensation stakeholders are increasingly seeking quality over price discounts from medical providers. Getting appropriate medical care to injured workers can make a tremendous financial difference in many complex claim situations, such as high-risk orthopedic injuries, evolving chronic pain syndrome and excessive narcotics use. Our prestigious panel will show you how to apply the model to drive improved outcomes and significantly reduce your medical costs. And they'll give you tips to recognize the medical red flags that indicate an expert physician should be involved.

Who: Evan Falchuk, president, Best Doctors Inc.; Sherri Hickey, medical management director, Safety National; Tom Schell, senior vice president, Strategic Partnerships, Paradigm Management Services LLC;Robert Vanselow, vice president/claims manager, CCMSI; and moderatorMark Noonan,managing principal, casualty practice, Integro Insurance Brokers

When: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Medical Foods: What They Are, What They Cost and What You Can Do

What you can expect: A year ago, few people in the workers' compensation system had heard of medical foods. Then came a study showing these specially formulated and processed supplements for the seriously ill may account for a significant amount of the medical dollars spent in California's workers' comp system. Now they're showing up throughout the country. The lack of regulatory oversight, questions about their effectiveness and the opportunity for abuse are alarming workers' comp professionals. Get the basic facts on these controversial drugs, find out what they may be costing you, and learn strategies to manage their utilization and cost.

Who: Tron Emptage, chief clinical compliance officer, Progressive Medical

When: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Chronic Pain: Prevention and Mitigation Strategies That Work

What you can expect: Chronic pain affects an estimated 50 million workers per year at an approximate cost of $90 billion. Dr. Jacob Lazarovic and Dr. Steven Feinberg bring their perspectives as an authoritative pain and rehabilitation specialist and an experienced TPA medical administrator to give you specific techniques and tools to address the myriad challenges associated with chronic pain. You'll learn how to evaluate the financial and clinical effect of chronic pain, design a comprehensive pain-management strategy, and select optimal functional restoration/interdisciplinary pain management programs for appropriate candidates.

Who: Dr. Steven Feinberg, chief medical officer, American Pain Solutions, Dr. Jacob Lazarovic, chief medical officer, Broadspire, A Crawford Company.

When: Thursday, Nov. 10, 8:45 a.m. - 10 a.m.

How to Apply Analytics to Recharge Managed Care

What you can expect: Reducing medical costs in your workers' comp claims requires new methodologies. But instead of reinventing the wheel, you can use actionable analytics to tweak your current strategies. Karen Wolfe will use her extensive background in workers' comp and data analysis to show you how to exploit historic and current data to improve your medical-cost management. You'll learn how to identify descriptive and predictive analytics, find out how to design analytics to leverage the workers' comp industry's medical research, and see how to link analytics to the operational process to lower your costs.

Who: Danielle Lisenbey, chief operating officer, medical services, Broadspire; Karen Wolfe, president/CEO, MedMetrics®, LLC

When: Thursday, Nov. 10, 1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Identifying and Managing Psychosocial Issues Affecting Injured Workers

What you can expect: Psychosocial factors can have a devastating financial impact on workers' comp claims. The emotional issues involved can exacerbate the physical ailments, sometimes even leading to chronic pain. This can create the need for complex medical treatments and delayed return to work. It is imperative that claims professionals understand how to identify and respond to these issues. Our panel of experts will provide unique clinical insight into psychosocial problems and practical strategies to minimize their effects on claims.

Who: Gary Anderberg, practice leader, analytics and outcomes, absence and care management, Broadspire; Michael Shor, Managing Director, Best Doctors Occupational Health Institute; Patrick Venditti, Director of Corporate Health Services Division, BJC Healthcare; and moderatorCarl Reynolds, Senior Vice President-Claims, Safety National.

When: Thursday, Nov. 10, 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Roundtable Discussion on Medical Management

What you can expect: One of the hottest issues in the workers' comp space is managing medical costs. Many companies are taking unique approaches to achieve cost savings in the challenging economy. This informal give-and-take session gives you a chance to hear and share ideas with your fellow attendees.

Who: Moderator:Denise Gillen-Algire, RN, practice leader, Integrated Health & Productivity

When: Thursday, Nov. 10, 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Holistic Return to Work: Two Companies' Success With Program Integration and Accountability

What you can expect: While no one disputes the benefit of an effective return-to-work program, many employers struggle with how to turn the idea into reality. The latest thinking approaches the issue from a holistic standpoint, in which occupational and non-occupational workers are treated under the same protocols. Our speakers have implemented return-to-work programs that have produced dramatic reductions in lost-time claims, lost days and cost trends.

Who: Karen English, Partner and Senior Consultant, Spring Consulting Group; David Kasper, Vice President-Employee Benefits, Waste Management; and Patrick Leary, Program Manager for Workers' Compensation, Disability and Leaves of Absence, Genentech.

When: Friday, Nov. 11, 8: 45 a.m. ? 10:00 a.m.

Demystifying the EMG: Electro-diagnostics Testing in Action

What to you can expect: Electro diagnostics can be a great resource to diagnose work-related injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. But a thorough understanding of the equipment is crucial to get accurate results and avoid wasting money. Dr. Carlos J. Esparza will discuss when and how these tests should be conducted, and demonstrate the use of an electromyography (EMG) machine -- a common type of electro-diagnostics testing.

Who: Carlos J. Esparza, M.D., Albuquerque Spine Consultants, N.M.

When: Friday, Nov. 11, 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Reducing Reinjury Through Early Intervention Functional Restoration

What you can expect: Injured workers with poor coping skills are more likely to suffer re-injuries. What can you do to keep them healthy and safe? Our speakers have designed a high-touch, high-tech medical management program called Early Intervention Functional Restoration, that identifies injured workers at risk for delayed recovery or return to work.

Who: Dr. Melvin Belsky, chief clinical officer, American Pain Solutions; Doug Benner, consultant; former chief of occupational medicine, NorCal Kaiser Permanente; Anita Weir, Director, Medical and Disability Management, Corporate Risk, Safeway Inc.; and William Zachry, vice president of risk management, Safeway Inc.

When: Friday, Nov. 11, 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

November 1, 2011

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