A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
Workers' compensation is ever evolving, and some years, such as in 2012, there is radical change. Complex systems demand highly educated professionals to ensure smooth operations.
Nothing could be more obvious with the ongoing implementation of SB 863 as we head into 2013. The California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) is scrambling to make regulatory changes necessary to meet statutory deadlines. It is also undergoing severe work loads as it tries to institute changes to its computer systems to take electronic payments for lien filings.
New forms, new regulations, new procedures - all in an evolving complexity that may seem like it is too overwhelming to even begin to absorb, let alone come to terms with in our daily business lives.
Carriers, third party administrators, law firms, medical firms all are scrambling to come to terms with the new law and regulations, and are in the process of changing business practices and systems to be ready for 2013.
WorkCompCentral Education during 2012 provided continuing education to over 4,000 individuals. Professionals who sought to maintain their proficiency in areas of workers' compensation law, report writing, bill review, and claims administration.
My projection is that in 2013 WorkCompCentral will educate nearly 6,000 individuals. Sweeping change means many, many people need to be brought up to date. Our mission is to educate as much of the workers' compensation industry as possible and to encourage the sharing of thoughts and ideas.
I know that you, by participating in educational events, online training and webinars, are as committed to professionalism in workers' compensation as we are.
With this in mind, we are assembling a diverse set of top educators to share their unique perspectives on SB 863 and the new regulatory environment as we enter the year of implementation.
In 2013 we will be building and launching a new online educational system that tightly integrates with the main WorkCompCentral site and the new Community system of sharing, messaging and purchasing. Community allows everyone to share their thoughts with another, network and make new contacts (or greet old friends) while enjoying volume based pricing without having to be part of a corporate account.
We will recognize individuals through out the year who have greatly contributed to growing professionalism in our industry through education and community action and, of course, I'll ask you to keep us honest by telling us what we're doing right and what we need to do better.
If we all work together, with Community at our core, we can make the system that involves our profession work as efficiently and properly as possible given the laws, regulations and court decisions as they issue.
In the meantime, on behalf of everyone at WorkCompCentral, I wish you and those you love all the good fortunes of life, health, happiness and peace throughout the New Year.
Nine individuals, one employer and one workers' comp service company were honored by WorkCompCentral on Saturday in Anaheim at the 2012 Holiday Education Program and Awards Reception.
Marina del Rey Presiding Judge Paige Levy received the Magna Comp Laude Award "for her commitment to excellence in continuing education on the law and practice of workers' compensation."
Other individuals receiving awards were:
Top Attendee: Christina Lam of California State Compensation Insurance Fund.
Top QME Attendee: Dr. Satish Kadaba, Orthopedic Surgeon and Qualified Medical Evaluator
New Instructor Awards: Sean Hermanson, JD, Managing Attorney in the Riverside Office of Heggeness, Sweet, Simington & Patricio. Dr. Julie Armstrong, Psychologist, Medical Evaluator and a Forensic Psychologist and TV Personality
Top Tandem: Jon Brissman, JD, and Judge Myrle Petty. Jon is a Lien Attorney with a law practice in Colton; Judge Petty is a Workers' Compensation Judge at the San Bernardino DWC District Office; she also occasionally hears cases in Bishop, Calif.
Panel Moderator: Kenneth Kingdon, JD, an Attorney and Rating Specialist and Author of Three Books About the AMA Guides Fifth Edition and "The Kingdon Rating Newsletter."
Webinar Presenter: Michael Sullivan, JD, Attorney and Author of "Sullivan on Comp."
Training Partner: Farmers Insurance Co. and its Western States Claims Offices.
CE Sponsor: WorkCompEDI and Manager Chris Mueller, an Electronic Medical Billing Clearinghouse for Carriers and Providers.
These individuals, organizations and other presenters made continuing education programs possible this year because of their efforts and energy. Due to the success and positive feedback after Saturday's event, the Educational Program and Awards Reception will become an annual event.
More than 160 people attended our inaugural event.
IAIABC HOSTING "GUIDE TO THE GALAXY" WEBINAR
IAIABC is hosting a complimentary member e-vent, "Guide to the Galaxy," on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. Central Time. Five workers' compensation insiders will guide you through external forces that will impact the work comp galaxy in 2013.
The experts will answer such questions as:
What's the Buzz in Claims? Is the Economy Headed Up or Down? Reform: Why is Opt-Out In? Implementing Affordable Care Act - What Does Work Comp Need to Know? Who Are Tomorrow's Leaders?
This e-vent is complimentary for IAIABC members, but register soon because space is limited! For non-members, registration is $75. Registration information is at IAIABC web site.
The experts will answer such questions as:
What's the Buzz in Claims? Is the Economy Headed Up or Down? Reform: Why is Opt-Out In? Implementing Affordable Care Act - What Does Work Comp Need to Know? Who Are Tomorrow's Leaders?
This e-vent is complimentary for IAIABC members, but register soon because space is limited! For non-members, registration is $75. Registration information is at IAIABC web site.
PUTTING SB 863 INTO PRACTICE FOR YOUR CLIENTS - JAN. 12
The California workers' comp reform law, SB 863, starts phasing in on Jan. 1, 2013. A daylong continuing-education program 12 days later is designed to give practitioners the tools they need to master SB 863 and to best represent their clients in the coming year.
This program is designed for attorneys, paralegals, hearing representatives and anyone making decisions about claims administration and whether to litigate. The focus is permanent disability rating issues and medical treatment authorization under SB 863. Practice tips will be given and proposed regulations discussed.
"How to Use SB 863 to Best Represent Your Clients," takes place at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 at National University in Los Angeles. One hour of California Bar Ethics credit is available.
Judges Colleen Casey, Mark Kahn (retired) and Paige Levy will co-present. Attorney and DWC Community Service Award recipient Robert Rassp, JD, joins them on the panel. Register at 805-484-0333 or at our web site.
WHAT IS A NEVADA COMP CLAIMS LICENSE?
This program is designed for attorneys, paralegals, hearing representatives and anyone making decisions about claims administration and whether to litigate. The focus is permanent disability rating issues and medical treatment authorization under SB 863. Practice tips will be given and proposed regulations discussed.
"How to Use SB 863 to Best Represent Your Clients," takes place at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 at National University in Los Angeles. One hour of California Bar Ethics credit is available.
Judges Colleen Casey, Mark Kahn (retired) and Paige Levy will co-present. Attorney and DWC Community Service Award recipient Robert Rassp, JD, joins them on the panel. Register at 805-484-0333 or at our web site.
Texas, Oregon and Connecticut are among the states to require claims adjusters who handle workers’ compensation claims be licensed by the state. There is no such requirement in Nevada by the Department of Administration, Hearings Division.
However, a Nevada license is required for anyone representing an employer at a workers’ compensation with the exception of attorneys and full-time employer, insurance carrier, or TPA representatives. NRS 616C.325 mandates this licensure.
Those representing employees at a hearing must be employed full time by the employee’s labor organization; admitted to practice law in Nevada; be employed full-time and be supervised by a Nevada attorney; or be appearing without compensation on behalf of the employee.
Applicants for a Workers’ Compensation Representative license must submit a Worker's Compensation License application, with notary acknowledgement; provide a copy of their driver’s license; pay a
$78 application fee to the Department of Administration; and pass the Workers Compensation Representative Examination. Applicants are tested on NRS and NAC 616 and 617. The test is comprised of 60 multiple choice and true/false questions with a minimum 75 percent passing score. Applicants have up to three attempts to pass the test before reapplying. Tests are given at will.
Anyone with questions on new licenses or license renewal should contact Hope DiBartolomeo, (702) 486-2531, dibartolomeo@hearings.state.nv.us.
Dec. 13: The Alaska Workers' Compensation Board will hold a special meeting to discuss the findings and recommendations of its subcommittee on medical costs and associated cost drivers. Details
Dec. 14: The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation will accept comments until 5 p.m. Dec. 14 on an informally proposed rule involving certification of maximum medical improvement and evaluation of permanent impairment. Comments may be submitted before 5 p.m. by mail or delivery to Maria Jimenez, Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation, Office of Workers’ Compensation Counsel, MS-4D, 7551 Metro Center Drive, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78744-1645, or by email to InformalRuleComments@tdi.state.tx.us
Dec. 20: The Louisiana Association of Self-Insured Employers will hold a seminar on Medicare secondary payer compliance in Baton Rouge. View
Jan. 11: The Nevada Workers’ Compensation Section of the Division of Industrial Relations published forms and instructions for carriers to use in completing mandatory activity reports that are due on Jan. 11. Forms and instructions are available on the Workers’ Compensation Section website
Jan. 24-25: The Maine Workers' Compensation Board announced training sessions for employers and insurers on Jan. 24-25, April 25-26, June 20-21 and October 20-25. The Winter newsletter lists details
Feb. 28-March 1: The California Division of Workers’ Compensation Education Conference in Los Angeles. Register
March 4-5: The California Division of Workers’ Compensation Education Conference in Oakland. Register
April 10-12: The Florida Bar annual forum on workers' compensation in Orlando. Information
IN THE NEWS
However, a Nevada license is required for anyone representing an employer at a workers’ compensation with the exception of attorneys and full-time employer, insurance carrier, or TPA representatives. NRS 616C.325 mandates this licensure.
Those representing employees at a hearing must be employed full time by the employee’s labor organization; admitted to practice law in Nevada; be employed full-time and be supervised by a Nevada attorney; or be appearing without compensation on behalf of the employee.
Applicants for a Workers’ Compensation Representative license must submit a Worker's Compensation License application, with notary acknowledgement; provide a copy of their driver’s license; pay a
$78 application fee to the Department of Administration; and pass the Workers Compensation Representative Examination. Applicants are tested on NRS and NAC 616 and 617. The test is comprised of 60 multiple choice and true/false questions with a minimum 75 percent passing score. Applicants have up to three attempts to pass the test before reapplying. Tests are given at will.
Anyone with questions on new licenses or license renewal should contact Hope DiBartolomeo, (702) 486-2531, dibartolomeo@hearings.state.nv.us.
Source: Nevada WC Section December Newsletter
Dec. 10: The State Affairs Committee will meet in Austin to review workers’ compensation issues – including the adequacy of benefits to high-wage earners – as the first step in preparing its recommendations to the 2013 Legislature in January. The committee will meet at 9 a.m. in the Senate Chamber at the State Capitol.
IN THE NEWS
Calif. - DIR Assessment Increasing by 44% for Insured Employers: 12/05/12
Texas - Larger Firms Returning to Comp while Small Businesses Opt Out: 12/04/12
National - Employers Have Final Say over Marijuana Use: 12/03/12
Texas Mutual Wants to Cut Government Ties, Share Assigned Risks: 11/30/12
N.Y. - SWCB Adopts Final Pharmacy and DME Fee Schedules:11/30/12
Okla. - Labor Commissioner Touts Admin. System, Wants Lawyers Out: 11/29/12
Florida - Claimants' Attorneys Leading Downward Trend in Legal Fees: 11/27/12
National - False Claims Act May Be New CMS Recovery Tool against Employers: 11/21/12
Illinois - Proposed Rules Would Require Medical E-Billing in June 2013: 11/19/12
Georgia - Supreme Court OKs Ex Parte Communication with Worker's Doctor: 11/06/12
Read the full articles with a WorkCompCentral subscription or buy the individual article. Subscribe
Buy an article using the News search tool at our web site. Tip: Type in the headline of the article next to the magnifying glass (top right of page) and click the eyeglass to search.
Senior (Sr) Loss Control Specialist - Oklahoma City / Tulsa Area‚ OK
Senior (Sr) Loss Control Specialist - Northern Calif / SF Bay Area‚ CA
Senior (Sr) Loss Control Specialist - So CA - Los Angeles Area‚ CA
Legal Assistant / Paralegal - Los Angeles‚ CA 90010
Litigation Manager - Glendale‚ CA
Lien Negotiator - Buena Park‚ CA
Workers Compensation Claim Manager - Canton, MA
Managing Attorney - New York City‚ NY
Workers Compensation Defense Attorney - Cherry Hill‚ NJ;
Philadelphia‚ PA
WC Information Person - Orange County, CA
Surgical Scheduler - UTC La Jolla, CA
Occupational Business Office Supervisor - St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare of Fullerton, CA
CLICK for these and other job listings.
Thank you for reading WorkCompCentral and for subscribing to this newsletter. If you liked an article or a topic, please let me know in an email. Write in the subject line, What I Liked.
Texas - Larger Firms Returning to Comp while Small Businesses Opt Out: 12/04/12
National - Employers Have Final Say over Marijuana Use: 12/03/12
Texas Mutual Wants to Cut Government Ties, Share Assigned Risks: 11/30/12
N.Y. - SWCB Adopts Final Pharmacy and DME Fee Schedules:11/30/12
Okla. - Labor Commissioner Touts Admin. System, Wants Lawyers Out: 11/29/12
Florida - Claimants' Attorneys Leading Downward Trend in Legal Fees: 11/27/12
National - False Claims Act May Be New CMS Recovery Tool against Employers: 11/21/12
Illinois - Proposed Rules Would Require Medical E-Billing in June 2013: 11/19/12
Georgia - Supreme Court OKs Ex Parte Communication with Worker's Doctor: 11/06/12
Read the full articles with a WorkCompCentral subscription or buy the individual article. Subscribe
Buy an article using the News search tool at our web site. Tip: Type in the headline of the article next to the magnifying glass (top right of page) and click the eyeglass to search.
JOBS IN YOUR AREA
Applications for employment are being accepted for:
Senior (Sr) Loss Control Specialist - Oklahoma City / Tulsa Area‚ OK
Senior (Sr) Loss Control Specialist - Northern Calif / SF Bay Area‚ CA
Senior (Sr) Loss Control Specialist - So CA - Los Angeles Area‚ CA
Legal Assistant / Paralegal - Los Angeles‚ CA 90010
Litigation Manager - Glendale‚ CA
Lien Negotiator - Buena Park‚ CA
Workers Compensation Claim Manager - Canton, MA
Managing Attorney - New York City‚ NY
Workers Compensation Defense Attorney - Cherry Hill‚ NJ;
Philadelphia‚ PA
WC Information Person - Orange County, CA
Surgical Scheduler - UTC La Jolla, CA
Occupational Business Office Supervisor - St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare of Fullerton, CA
CLICK for these and other job listings.
Cheers!
- Rob
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