Schedule/Sessions

Breakfast

Keynote Speaker

Session 1 - Session 1: Presentation A - Emerging Trends in Medicare Compliance

This presentation will explore the latest developments in Medicare compliance practice and procedure, including the framework of the Medicare Secondary Payer Act in the context of the most recent federal decisions challenging the constitutionality of Medicare’s collection practices.  This session will also explore the question of whether or not Medicare set asides are actually required in liability settlements and the most recent changes to Medicare’s policy on review of Medicare set asides in workers’ compensation cases.  All facets of these discussions will be illustrated through the use of actual case studies and proven best practice strategies.  The audience will gain a deeper understanding of the pitfalls associated with the failure to protect Medicare’s interests in settlement of claims with Medicare beneficiaries and will learn a new paradigm of proactive management of these types of claims. 

Session 1 - Session 1: Presentation B - Appropriate Use of Narcotics in Workers' Compensation

Use of narcotics/opioids can be safe and effective as part of a comprehensive treatment approach with clear functional goals.  Because of the serious potential risks to injured employees and the impact on claim costs, the use of narcotic/opioids must be closely managed and monitored.   A number of medical treatment guidelines have been developed to assure appropriate use of narcotics/opioids that all agree on a similar approach.  The July 2011 Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) study, Interstate Variations in Use of Narcotics found that despite medical guidelines recommendations, few longer-term narcotics users get the recommended services for monitoring.  

Session 1 - Session 1: Presentation C - Employer Perspective on Accident Investigation and Claims Handling

Break

Session 2 - Session 2: Presentation A - What Risk Managers are REALLY Thinking

If you practice in the worker’s compensation field you undoubtedly work with risk managers at some point. These key stakeholders are among the most important players in our industry. Making sure that they are satisfied with your work product is key to your successful practice.

This session will bring you inside the mind of risk managers to allow you to find out what they are really thinking. What are they looking for from their sevrive providers, and how best for you to deliver your product? Everyone wants to know what risk managers really think. In an entertaining and lively manner these decision-makers will give you an inside peek at what they think and most importantly how to work with them to achieve success in your practice area. 

Session 2 - Session 2: Presentation B - Emerging Trends in the Adoption of Medical Treatment Guidelines at the State Level

Session 2 - Session 2: Presentation C - Managing Your WC Claims Department Using Data and Predictive Analytics

Typically, 20% of claims represent 80% of loss costs.  The challenge is to identify these claims at the onset of the claims process.  Insurance carriers either already use, or are currently implementing, using predictive analytics to track and analyze their claims.  The ability to quickly and prospectively identify this adverse segment enables proactive management strategies that will drive more effective business results.  The innovators and entrepreneurs are well into implementation of these programs.   They are focusing on Workers’ Compensation, as well as general liability, auto and bodily injury claims.  They are targeting high cost and low cost claims, including those involving fraud, litigation and subrogation.  These predictive modeling systems are of broad interest to primary insurers, TPAs and large self insureds.  Predictive modeling systems are being custom designed and built for the needs and interests of specific organizations.

Look for the use of these predictive analytical systems to be much more widespread by 2014 and to be standard practice in leading companies.  These analytical systems are being seamlessly integrated with business rules and system automation to drive results.  Those stakeholders who have adopted and adapted to these systems early will acquire leverage capability and gain market share.  Look for pay-as-you-go predictive models which leverage the common IT structure.

Break

Session 3 - Session 3: Presentation A - Best Practices: Prescription Drugs and Chronic Pain

Session 3 - Session 3: Presentation B - Implementing an Effective Workers' Compensation Risk Management Plan

Session 3 - Session 3: Presentation C - Emerging Trends: Billing Issues, UTBMS Worker's Compensation Codes, and Alternative Fee Arrangements

This session will address emerging trends in law firm billing and time keeping in workers’ compensation, the use of the UTBMS Litigation Codes for workers’ compensation, their possible replacement by the new Workers’ Compensation Code set, and alternative fee arrangements.

Networking Lunch