April 2012 Issue

 

Taking the Fear Out of Workers' Comp Reform

Today is Friday, the 13th and that fact makes alot of people nervous. Fear of Friday the 13th has a name, too. The scientific name is friggatriskaidekaphobia (pronounced frig-u-trisk-eye-deck-uh-pho-bee-uh). 

The most common fears people share are probably no secret to anyone. I looked up the most common fears online and found the top 10 listed at About.com. In order they are:

1. Spiders                                                          
2. Snakes
3. Heights
4. Being trapped 
5. Dogs
6. Thunder and lightning
7. Injections
8. Social situations
9. Flying
10. Germs 

One noticeable exception missing from the 10 list was fear of change. 

There's been talk recently in California about another event that makes people nervous: workers' comp reform. It's not a matter of "if" reform is coming to California. Business and labor are in agreement that reform can be accomplished, giving injured workers higher benefits and employers some cost savings.

WorkCompCentral Western Bureau Editor Greg Jones is covering the pre-reform activity in Sacramento and around the state, where the Division of Workers' Compensation is on a fact-finding tour to hear from stakeholders what parts of comp need legislative fixing. Nine meetings are scheduled around California, and the first one was held this week in West Sacramento. So, yes, reform is just around the corner. 

Whatever the DWC, labor and business, and the politicians decide to fix, you'll hear about it as it happens by reading WorkCompCentral's Daily Newsletter and email announcements, like this one. 

Dale Carnegie, the author of "How to Win Friends and Influence People," offers this advice for facing whatever fear bothers you: "If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about. Go out and get busy." Need a place to start? How about attending a DWC public forum to listen to the administration and public comments, upon which the DWC might base the reform legislation. 

P.S. April marks the 8th anniversary of SB 899, the last major renovation done on California comp law.

- Rob McCarthy  

MAY 1: HELPING DOCTORS FRUSTRATED BY UR

Medical treaters of all types are encouraged to participate in a free webinar on May 1 at 1 p.m. Pacific time. The title is "The Key To Winning the UR Battle ... Understanding URO Requirements."

This is designed for help providers serving the workers' compensation industry and dealing with utilization reviews. This overview of the requirements of the URO (utilization review organization) clarifies what drives the system. Providers will learn how to submit a request for treatment that results in authorization. The options available when a denial of your treatment request is received will be addressed as well as the challenges encountered throughout the UR process.                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Led by Maureen Bennington, a 20-year veteran of workers' compensation. She has a Master's of Science degree in Rehabilitation Administration and is credentialed in Utilization Review, Case Management, Disability Management and Vocational Counseling. Maureen has extensive knowledge related to all managed care products. She has been responsible for the development of case management, medical bill review and utilization review programs, file review and audit procedures, return-to-work programs and disability management product development and implementation          procedures.                    

Read more about the webinar here.

Register now: Yes!

LIVE SEMINAR SCHEDULE FOR APRIL, MAY AND JUNE

There is alot of live training available about rating, lien litigation and writing a psyche report that meets the legal standard for substantial evidence.

APRIL 

April 28, Studio City - "Straight Talk About Using the Guides: An Open Forum Featuring Dr. Gunnar Anderssen, Senior Orthopedics Editor of the AMA 5th." An expert panel will assemble with Dr. Anderssen to discuss Guides issues and controversies.

Six MCLE, Legal Specialization, Rating and Calif. Claims Professional credits available. (QME credit pending)

$299 for WorkCompCentral qualifying subscribers. $329 regular price.

Register: https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/Course/coursedetails/?category=42&id=719


MAY


May, 19, Mills College in Oakland - "Rating PD - The Tricks of the Trade." Led by Colleen Casey and Robert Rassp. Judge Lilla Rados is the keynote speaker. Digs deeper into the most common rating issues and traps in workers' compensation cases. Includes a session about how to depose doctors for the "why's and "how's."

Six MCLE, Rating and Calif. Claims Professional credits available. (QME credit pending)

$299 for WorkCompCentral qualifying members. $329 regular price.

Register: https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/Course/coursedetails/?                  category=42&id=721                                                                                      Judge Lilla Rados 


JUNE

June 2, Orange County Expo Center - "Your Liens - When to Hold 'Em, Fold 'Em and How to Settle." With Jon Brissman, Judge Paige Levy and attorney Sean Hermanson. Focus is on evaluating liens, preparing to litigate liens and going to trial or settlement conference.

Six MCLE, Legal Specialization and California Claims Professional hours.
$299 for WorkCompCentral qualifying members. $329 regular price.

Register: https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/Course/coursedetails/?category=42&id=718

$299 for WorkCompCentral qualifying members. $329 regular price.


June 23, WorkCompCentral Learning Facility, Camarillo - "How to Write a Rateable Psyche Report," led by Dr. Julie Armstrong. Julie will talk about the medical-legal system for workers' comp, the psyche component of a claim, and what a rateable report must contain.

Six MCLE, Legal Specialization hours. QME credit for this seminar is pending.

Registration is being taken by phone, 805-484-0333.

RX BILLING FORM DOESN'T ACTUALLY EXIST - OOPS!

The DWC today sent out a Newsline in which it alerted medical billers for pharmacy and carriers to a billing regulation error. Here's what the DWC said:

"DWC has received inquiries regarding the paper billing form adopted for pharmacy billing. The billing regulation adopts the National Council on Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) Workers’ Compensation/Property & Casualty Universal Claim Form and specifies version 1.0 – 05/2008. However, the NCPDP has informed the division that version 1.0 was a draft that was never put into production. The NCPDP form that is available is version 1.1 – 05/2009. DWC intends to revise the regulations to specify the correct version number for the form. In the meantime, it would appear to be reasonable for pharmacies to use version 1.1 and for claims administrators to process bills submitted on that form."

ARIZ. PASSING TREATMENT GUIDELINES  

A bill to implement workers' compensation treatment guidelines is moving in the Arizona statehouse. HB 2368 is an omnibus bill that directs the Industrial Commission to implement treatment guidelines. It also modifies how monthly benefits are calculated, and expand insurer subrogation rights. The Senate has approved the measure, which is now awaiting debate and action in the lower House.

TWO STATES ADOPT OPIODS MEASURES 

IAIABC announced this week that Oklahoma and Massachusetts have adopted new treatment guidelines to deal with opiods abuse. A national RX Drug Abuse Summit also took place this week, ratcheting up the pressure on states to clamp down on prescription practices of narcotics by treating physicians. Joe Paduda, who covers the workers' comp industry on his blog www.managedcarematters.com, attended and filed dispatches from the event. I recommend you check out Joe's blogs. Managed Care Matters

SOMETHING FOR MEDICAL BILLERS AND CODERS

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a proposal that will postpone the compliance date for ICD-10, currently scheduled for October 1, 2013, for one full year.

BROWSE TOPICS, ANYTHING THAT'S NEW

We're proud of our continuing-education catalog, and we work hard to line up speakers and topics that are a cut above the rest. So, do us a favor. Bookmark our CE home page and check it regularly for "What's New"and "Weekly Deals" It's a good way to keep informed about us and this industry.

        Staying Informed Doesn't Happen by Accident

March 2012 Issue

        

Cab Drivers Fare Well in Brain Study

Findings Can Be Applied to Head Injuries 

A recent study of London cab drivers offers evidence that learning new tasks is healthy for the adult brain. This is especially good news for rehabilitation after a brain injury.

The study included people training to become licensed taxi drivers in London, with its complicated grid of 25,000 streets and 20,000 landmarks. The researchers gathered brain images of the taxi trainees over the three- to four-year period it takes to learn to navigate the city, and tested their memory.  

At the start of the study, there were no differences between groups of new taxi drivers and non-drivers. After three to four years, however, successful taxi trainees showed an increased in gray matter in the back part of the hippocampus. The hippocampus is important in spatial navigation and memory.

These changes did not occur in trainees who failed or in people in the non-driving control group. The findings show that the human brain remains "plastic" even in adult life, enabling it to adapt when people learn new tasks and skills, said University College Londonm researchers Eleanor Maguire and Katherine Woollett.

But, why does learning new streets and destinations change brain activity in cabbies? The simple answer is that learning new things may also strengthen connections between existing neurons. The challenge the London cabbies face also may increase the production of new neurons in the brain, the researchers theorized. 

The findings also offer incentive for adults to be lifelong learners. More information about brain health can be found at The Society of Neuroscience web site.

New Name for Florida Workers' Comp Conference 

The Florida Workers' Compensation Educational Conference has a new name that reflects the growth in attendance and national interest in the show, the organizers announced. 

"Today, I am proud to announce that we are a truly national conference, and a name change and other initiatives in 2012 will reflect that. While FWCI will continue as a state-specific organization, we have created the National Workers‟ Compensation Institute (NWCI) as an umbrella organization, and have formally renamed the conference the National Workers' Compensation Educational Conference," said James McConnaughhay,  the general chair.

Information About April 28 QME Exam 

The California Qualified Medical Evaluator examination will be administered on April 28 at locations in Southern and Northern California. The test sites and start times are:

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Embassy Suites Garden Grove
11767 Harbor Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92840
714-539-3300

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
South San Francisco Conference Center
255 South Airport Blvd
South San Francisco, CA 94080
650-877-8787

Registration begins at 9:30 am. The exam begins at approximately 10 am. After instruction is given, candidates have three hours to complete the 200 multiple choice exam. 

Call the DWC at 510-628-2004 for more assistance or visit their web site.  For details about preparing for the exam, go here.

Topics Added to the Online Catalog 

Three webinars recorded in 2012 are available this month in the online catalog:

1) EDEX, EAMS and the Public Search Tool: Unlocking California Claims Information. 

Presented by Susan Gard. 1 CE Credit for California Claims Professionals, Attorneys

Cost: $24.19

Registration

Summary: Susan Gard, who oversees workers' compensation process and automation for the City and County of San Francisco, explains how EAMS, EDEX and the new Public Search tool differ and complement one another. She also will demonstrate EAMS and the new public search tool, while addressing whether EDEX is obsolete because of the rollout of the DWC public search tool. 

2) Demystifying Workers' Comp Claims in California.

Presented by attorney Michael Sullivan, author of Sullivan on Comp. 

2 CE Credits for California Claims Professionals and Attorneys/Legal Specialists. 

Cost: $41.09

Registration

Summary: Attendees will gain an understanding of the legal and med-legal processes, medical treatment, litigation and substantive issues that arise in the administration of a workers' comp claim. Two resources form the basis of this instruction by experienced attorney, speaker and author Michael Sullivan - the California Workers' Compensation Flowchart 2012 and the legal practice book series, "Sullivan on Comp."

3) Medicare Set-Aside Update - What You Don't Know Can Hurt You.

Presented by MSA compliance expert Kim Wiswell of CompProjections.

1 CE Credit for Calif. Claims Professionals and Attorneys/Legal Specialists. 

Registration

Summary: The latest trends from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), including the most frequent reasons your submitted allocations are delayed in the approval process, and how you can avoid these delays. Plus, suggestions for ensuring your cases are "submission ready" prior to even requesting an MSA.

Whole-Person Approach to Treating Addiction

                PRIUM's Medical Director Speaking on Next Free Webinar, April 2

PRIUM Senior Vice President of Business Development Mark Pew will interview PRIUM’s Medical Director, Sankar Pemmaraju, DO, about “whole-person” treatments for claimants who are dependent on opioids or addicted to them. The free webinar will be Monday, April 2 at 1 p.m. (Pacific), 4 p.m. (Eastern).  

The hour-long webinar focuses on strategies to help claimants regain control of their lives, return to work and establish healthy lifestyles.  These include:   to work and establish healthy lifestyles.  These include:  

• Physical medicine
• Functional capacity evaluations
• Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture
• Occupational therapy and retraining claimants when job duties exacerbate pain
• Psychological counseling
• Personal trainers and nutritional counselors

Produced by WorkCompCentral.com, the webinar offers one continuing education credit to California claims professionals and attorneys.  There is no charge to attend, but space is limited to the first 100 registrants. Call 866-975-2667 or enroll online.

PRIUM Medical Director Sankar Pemmaraju, D.O. works with physicians to incorporate the latest scientific literature and evidence-based medical guidelines into their treatment of workers’ compensation patients.  He maintains an active practice in his functional restoration clinic in Southlake, Texas. His board certifications include a Diplomate of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and Diplomate and Fellow of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and a Consultant of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.  

Rating Event Features Guides Sr. Orthopedic Editor 

Dr. Gunnar Anderssen Joins Expert Panel on April 28 in Studio City 

Dr. Gunnar Anderssen, the senior editor of the orthopedics chapters of the AMA Guides Fifth Edition, will make a rare speaking engagement in California on April 28 to discuss controversies with the Guides, and answer audience questions. It marks his return to California since 2004 when SB 899 was adopted. 

Dr. Anderssen heads a distinguished speaker panel about Guides rating, issues and case law. Applicant and defense perspectives are represented, plus conflicting rating opinions by doctors who evaluate injured workers. A full list of topics for discussion is found here.

He will be joined by presenters from the medical, legal and rating professions. Ken Kingdon is moderator of the seminar at The Sportsmen's Lodge Empire Room, 12825 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604. Ken writes "KIngdon Rating Newsletter" and has written three books about Guides rating, including the AMA publication, "A Medical-Legal Companion to the AMA Guides Fifth." 

Call 805-484-0333, ext. 1 to learn more. Online registration here. 

California Requirements for Adjusters, Bill Review 

To legally perform the duties of a Claims Adjuster, the California Claims Professional Designation (CCPD) must be earned. This verifies he or she has completed at least 120 hours of training as set forth in Section 11761 of the California Insurance Code. 

To legally handle medical billing or review for an insurer or medical billing entity, an agent must earn a Medical Bill Reviewer Designation Form that verifies he or she has completed at least 40 hours of training as set forth in the regulations (Title 10, Section 2592.04).

If you are handling claims or reviewing medical bills and need to be certified, contact us. We have credential programs that can be taken online, which meet California requirements. 

To speak with a California credential adviser, call 805-484-0333, ext. 113 or 133. 

For a summary of the training and requirements, look under Credentials on our web site. Or visit the California Department of Insurance web page about adjuster and bill reviewers. 

February 2012 Issue

Events Happening in Your Area

Texas DWC Programs for New Rules. Dates and locations are: San Angelo Feb. 17; Beaumont Feb. 22; El Paso, Feb. 23; Abilene Feb. 23; Welasco and Wichita Falls, Feb. 23; Waco and Odessa Feb. 29.

Monterey, Calif. - 2012 PARMA Annual Risk Management Conference, 2/14/2012

Washington, D.C. - National Chiropractic Legislative Conference, 2/16/2012

San Diego - First AIP Educational Luncheon of the year on Feb. 21. Info. 

San Bernardino, Calif. - Use of Psychological Testing in Forensic Situations - San Bernardino County Bar Assn. Brown Bag lunch, 2/22/2012

Los Angeles - DWC Educational Conference, Feb. 23-24. Sheraton Gateway Hotel. Details.

Chicago - National Association of Mutual Insurnance Cos. (NAMIC) Commercial Lines Seminar, 2/29/2012 

(Check the Upcoming Events for more details.)

Back by Popular Demand: Medicare Set-Aside Webinar

Due to the overwhelming response to the Medicare Set-Aside webinar offered this month, we will replay the one-hour program on Wednesday, March 7 at 1 p.m. The title is "Medicare Set-Aside Update: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You," presented by compliance expert Kim Wiswell of CompProjections.

If you were turned away from or missed the February live event, this is rare second chance to review the requirements for funding a Medicare Set-Aside allocation on a workers' comp claims. We anticipate this session will fill up quickly again. One CE credit hour for California legal and claims is available. 

The webinar is also available online - no waiting. The cost is $24.19, and is suitable for individual or group training about compliance with the Secondary Payer Act.  MSA Update online.

To register for the March 7 replay, click here.

Our New Policy About Free Monthly Webinars 

The monthly "One on One @ 1" webinar series has consistently drawn a capacity audience. The purpose of the series is to provide quality training to a cross-section of workers' compensation professionals and employers. To that end, we are instituting a new enrollment policy:


"Participation in a WorkCompCentral free webinar is limited. Priority is given to persons who have not previously participated in a free webinar. Permisson to participate in a WorkCompCentral free webinar is solely within the discretion of WorkCompCentral and service may be denied to anyone at any time."


Why the policy? We want as many people as possible to try our webinars and be eligible for a free hour of training. Unfortunately, we have limited enrollment in these webinars. Thank you to everyone for making the "One on One' events successful. Pain management, burn care and medical treatment costs are themes for upcoming free webinars. Look for announcements in our weekly emails and here.

WORK COMP NEWS FROM THE STATES

Georgia Treatment Guidelines Hit Political Roadblock: 2/13/12
NCCI Releases Discussion Paper on Volunteer Firefighters - 2/13/12
Delaware OWC Updates Changes to Utilization Review Form - 2/13/12
Maine Task Force Will Tackle Prescription Drug Abuse - 2/10/12
Florida DWC Reverting to Charge-Based Plan for Outpatient Hospital Fees - 2/9/12
Appellate Court Reversing 1/3 of SWCB Rulings - 2/8/12
Set-Aside Case May Go to U.S. Supreme Court - 2/7/12
NFL Brain-Injury Claims Consolidated in Penn. - 2/2/12

Read the news from your state

Ohio Restricts 'Shopping' for Pills and Pain Doctors 

Overdose deaths driven by prescription painkiller abuse are now the leading cause of accidental death in Ohio, and the state's Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is doing something to stop the practice of "pharmacy" shopping by claimants who are addicted to pain medications.

The BWC this year adopted a pharmacy "lock-in" program aimed at improving the safety of medication prescribed to workers recovering from on-the-job injuries and to curb doctor- and pharmacy-shopping.

Called the "Coordinated Services Program," it is designed to limit the dangers that can arise when medications are prescribed by multiple physicians and are processed in different pharmacies, Bureau Administrator Steve Buehrer reported. The new program allows the bureau, under certain circumstances, to restrict an injured worker to the use of a single pharmacy for non-emergency prescriptions. The injured worker selects the pharmacy from a list of eligible pharmacies.

The restriction can be imposed if the bureau finds a pattern of possible misuse of prescription drugs over a three-month period. The bureau also can restrict an injured worker convicted of a drug offense to the use of a single prescribing physician, selected by the injured worker from bureau-certified physicians, in order to receive reimbursement from the bureau for non-emergency prescriptions.

Straight Talk from Two Judges About Attorney Mistakes

The new live seminar at WorkCompCentral is on Saturday, March 24 and features two workers' compensation judges talking about where attorneys fall short and how they can improve.

"Presenting Your Best Case: Tips, Blips and Judge's Quips," is a collaboration of Judges Paige Levy of Marina del Rey and Colleen Casey of San Francisco. These two popular speakers for WorkCompCentral seminars will join for a daylong MCLE and Legal Specialization program.

For a sample of their topics, click here.

Six hours of California State Bar Minimum Continuing Legal Education or Legal Specialization credit is available. Anyone who litigates or supervises claims litigation is invited to attend, including: defense attorney, applicants' attorney, paralegals and hearing representatives, claims and TPA group leaders, and the workers' comp program manager for a self-insurer and/or self-administered self-insured.

Cost is $329 and the seminar location is WorkCompCentral in Camarillo. Registration information.

Which Case Information System is Right for You?

That is a good question! Former DWC policy adviser Susan Gard will explain and demonstrate how to use the three different claims-information systems for California on a March 2 webinar. Individuals or offices that stopped using EDEX after EAMS was launched will want to attend. Cost to attend is $59.

California currently offers three systems for accessing workers' comp litigated claims data. EDEX was the go-to system for two decades, and is still in use. EAMS is the newer system, and the Public Search tool is a free lookup service about claims information in the California Division of Workers' Compensation database. This training answers the question, "Which lookup system is right for me?"

"EDEX, EAMS and the Public Search Tool"" is a presentation of WorkCompCentral Education.

Dates Announced for Next QME Exam 

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS MARCH 15. THE EXAM IS APRIL 28.

The California Division of Workers' Compensation has begun accepting applications for the April 28 examination to become a Qualified Medical Evaluator. Medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, chiropractors, psychologists, dentists or acupuncturists are eligible to apply.

WorkCompCentral Education has a study course about the California QME test. This self-study, online prep course has helped hundreds to prepare for the California med-legal exam.

STEPS TO TAKE:

1. Read the DWC announcement for exam details and deadlines. Read.
2. Apply by downloading the application from the DWC Web site. Apply.
3. Start preparing for the April exam. Enroll in our study course. Prepare.

"The (prep) course was great. I think I may have gotten 100 percent and it was due to your course!!!"
- M.K., Santa Cruz

For assistance or questions, call 805-484-0333, ext. 113 or 133 to speak with a school adviser. 

January 2012 Issue

January is off to a flying start. Our Jan. 14 lien seminar drew a full house to the Courtyard Marriott in Old Town Pasadena. Thanks to everyone who attended and offered feedback about the program.

A special thanks to Judge Paige Levy for going the extra mile. She talked about lien litigation issues, and delivered a California Bar ethics program for workers' comp legal practitioners after the seminar ended.

One attendee dropped us an email last week that said:

"I wanted to thank you for all the work and effort all of you put into this last weekend!! It was very helpful and valuable!! I apprecate the ease and comfort you provided for the seminar and the topics were perfect for us at our office!! - J.W.

***

FEB. 3 WEBINAR TOPIC
How to Control the Cost of MSAs 

What you don't know can hurt you. That is the message from Kim Wiswell, a Maryland-based specialist in compliance with the Secondary Payer Act. Kim will deliver a webinar on Friday, Feb. 3 that answers these and other questions:

1.  Why are MSA allocation proposals being rejected?
2.  How do I avoid delays with Medicare Set-Asides submitted for approval?
3.  If my proposed allocation is rejected, can I appeal the decision by CMS?
4.  What has CMS (Centers for Medicare/Medicare Services) said about off-label use of Rx drugs?

The webinar begins at 1 p.m. and 1 continuing-education credit is available through the California Bar Association and for California Claims Professionals. The webinar is free, and being sponsored by the The Grossman Burn Centers (web site). Register online. You must create a WorkCompCentral school account for online registration. Call 805-484-0333, ext. 113 or 133 for registration assistance.

***

Med-Legal, Contracted Rx Drug Billings Clarified

A clarification went out last week from the Division of Workers' Compensation stating there is no requirement that medical-legal bills be submitted on a CMS 1500 form. Here is an excerpt from the Newsline sent on Friday, Jan. 13:

"The Division of Workers’ Compensations has received complaints from qualified medical evaluators (QMEs) that bills are being rejected by claims administrators because they are not on the standardized forms. By statute, medical providers are required to bill using standardized paper billing forms effective Oct. 15, 2011. This is a new requirement for medical treatment bills only. It does not apply to medical-legal bills.

The “Medical Billing and Payment Guide 2011” specifically states: “The following forms [which include the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, (CMS) 1500] are the only forms to be used for paper billing of California workers’ compensation medical treatment services and goods unless there is a written contract agreed by the parties specifying something different.” (Medical Billing and Payment Guide, page 11, Appendix A Standard Paper Forms.)

However, the requirement to use the standardized paper billing forms does not apply to medical-legal billings, such as those performed in panel QME or other official QME or agreed medical evaluator, (AME) cases. Therefore, it is not appropriate to reject or object to a medical-legal bill because it was not submitted on a standardized form."

Read the full text of the Jan. 13 Newsline by clicking  here.

The DWC also issued a Jan. 12 Newsline regarding discounted payments for pharmacy drugs, saying that "pharmacy fees incurred by non-contracted pharmacies, prior to notification that the payor utilizes a pharmacy network, should be paid at the fee schedule amount, absent any legitimate billing objections."

The entire text can be read at the DWC web site.

***

Author Mike Sullivan Accepts a Monumental Challenge! 

At our invitation, Southern California-based workers' comp attorney and author Michael Sullivan will host a webinar on Feb. 8 about the gigantic California workers' comp system. If anybody can explain clearly the California system in under 2 hours, it's Mike. He spent almost five years writing and editing the "Sullivan on Comp" workers' comp legal and practice series for California. He is a frequent speaker at industry events, and his programs are clear and concise. See for yourself and register early.

His webinar is titled, "Demystifying Workers' Comp Claims in California." Cost is $119 and two hours of continuing education credit is available for Claims Professionals and California Bar members.

Registration

About Mike Sullivan:

He is an experienced attorney in the fields of workers' compensation and insurance fraud litigation. He completed his Juris Doctorate at University of California, Hastings College of the Law and obtained his Bachelor of Arts at Loyola Marymount University. While attending Hastings, he garnered a competitive internship with the Department of Industrial Relations. After graduation, Mr. Sullivan was an Associate at the law firm of Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennett, where he specialized in insurance fraud litigation and workers' compensation.

Mike started his own law firm in the mid-1990s to offer a more responsive client relationship while maintaining high quality legal work. He has written and lectured exclusively on the subject of workers’ compensation and completed in January 2011, “Sullivan on Comp”, a workers’ compensation treatise. The treatise is a 12 volume, 16 chapter complete body of California workers’ compensation law set in bound print edition plus the content is hosted as an online subscription at WorkCompCentral.

***

Lien and Ethics Programs Go Online Next Week 

The lien seminar led by Judge Paige Levy, attorneys Jon Brissman and Frank Russo was recorded and for replay as an online seminar. Call the WorkCompCentral office at 805-484-0333, ext. 113/133 to enroll. Judge Levy's ethics for workers' comp attorneys course will be available Jan. 26, too.

California Bar Association members: This counts as 1 MCLE hour toward ethics. The Bar requires members to complete four hours of ethics training every three years. MCLEs for Group 2 are due Feb.1.

You can always find what's new at www.workcompschool.com.

***

In the News

Okla. High Court Overturns Portions of Reforms (12/22)
Set-Aside Pros Say CMS' Pilot Portal Cut Review Times by a Month (12/23)
Fla. Regulators Liquidate PEO Insurer (12/27)
2011 in Review: Opioids Take Center Stage in Policy Debate (12/28)
NY Claimants' Bar Prioritizes Guide Changes (12/29)
Longshore Act Exemptions Finalized (1/3)
S. Carolina Commission Agrees to Push Ahead With Mediation Mandate
Santa Barbara Doctor Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges (1/6)
WCRI Study Finds Fee Schedules Lead to Lowest Outpatient Charges (1/11)
S.C. Comp Commission Considering Regs for Mandatory Mediation (1/13)


News articles can be read with a subscription or purchased individually.  

Almost Finished ...

www.workcompschool.com

Our web site has changed. You can now customize how you want the home page to look. Try it.

Coming up March 24 is a live MCLE seminar about WCAB litigation tips with Judge Paige Levy of Marina del Rey and Judge Colleen Casey of San Francisco. Call 805-484-0333, ext. 113 for info.

We're planning the AMA Guides event of the year for California on April 28 at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City. We're assembling an all-star cast of presenters, including Don Barthel and Ken Kingdon.