30th Anniversary National Workers' Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference
The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis, Hyannis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
July 20-22, 2010
Continuing Education
Hotel Information
Schedule
Registration Information
Brochure
Exhibiting Information
Register Online
Preconferences:
Take Your Return to Work Program Up a Notch: Building a Roadmap For Action
Managing Persistent Pain and Disability: Best Practices
ADA, FMLA, and Workers' Compensation: In Depth
Workers' Compensation Legal Issues and Defense Strategies: Connecting the Dots: 2010 & Beyond
Causation of Occupational Injuries: Fact & Fiction
Unmasking the Sophisticated Malingerer and Misattributer in Workers' Compensation Claims
Executive Summary: In this widely acclaimed program, the nation’s leading workers’ compensation professionals, occupational physicians, occupational nurses, and attorneys will join together to discuss cutting edge issues. Frank discussions and lively question and answer sessions will complement each presentation. Conference registrants will be able to meet their colleagues and leaders in their fields from across the United States and Canada, at the reception, luncheons, and breakfasts, in the exhibit hall and at Wednesday night’s social event to network and discuss areas of mutual concern. This conference is currently the largest and longest-running national workers’ compensation and occupational medicine conference of its kind in the United States.
Exhibiting Information
We expect over 600 conference attendees and have a limited number of exhibiting booths available. To reserve your booth please contact Alex Babitsky at (508) 457-5150 or via email at Alex@seak.com.
Registration Information: Tuition for the 30th Anniversary National Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference is $955. This includes handout materials to be distributed at the door, coffee breaks, reception, three continental breakfasts, a social event on Wednesday night, and two conference luncheons. A 20% discount is available for two or more individuals registering together prior to May 15,2010. Tuition for each preconference is $395.
Cancellations: Conference cancellations received in writing before July 1, 2010 will receive a full refund. Persons canceling after July 1, 2010 will not receive a refund, but will be provided with the course materials.
Comments From Past Attendees
“I find this conference my one-stop education experience each year!”
“Excellent-appreciate the high quality of speakers you’ve used.”
“Very excellent speakers. Very efficiently managed.”
“Quite Good. Diverse selection of topics & speakers.”
“Excellent as usual.”
“Extremely high quality. Great, timely topics, taught clearly & concisely by highly qualified faculty.”
“One of the top I have attended on national level.”
“Excellent! The expertise of your speakers was exceptional!”
“Wonderful cross-section of subjects, disciplines, & topics.”
“One of the best conferences I have attended.”
“Great conference! Looking forward to next year.”
Main Conference Continuing Education Credit Information:
Attorneys: Please request CLE credits when mailing in your registration form. Credit hours vary by state, usually in the range of 16.5 - 20.5 credit hours.
Case Managers: 18 contact hours of continuing education for Case Managers have been applied for from the Commission for Case Manager Certification, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Disability Specialists: 18 contact hours of continuing education for Disability Specialists have been applied for from the Commission for Disability Management Specialists, Schaumburg, Illinois.
Human Resource: This program has been approved for 15.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).
Nurses: To successfully complete a program and receive contact hours you must: 1) register in, 2) be present for the period of time you are awarded contact hours, 3) complete and hand in the evaluation.
Occupational Health Nurses: 18 60-minute contact hours for continuing education in nursing have been applied for through the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN). AAOHN is an accredited approver of continuing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Physical Therapists: Continuing Physical Therapy credits vary by state,and will only be applied for if requested in writing on the conference registration form.
Physicians: SEAK, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. SEAK, Inc. designates this educational activity for a maximum of 16.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Rehabilitation Counselors: 18 contact hours of continuing education hours for Rehabilitation Counselors have been applied for from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, Schaumburg, Illinois.
Rehabilitation Nurses: This program will be accepted for 18 60-minute hours of continuing education for ARN Certification. Submit certificate.
Note: Any and all commercial products or services displayed or advertised at the 2010 SEAK Conference are neither endorsed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation nor SEAK, Inc.
Hotel Information
Site Hotel - The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. A limited block of rooms has been reserved at convention rates ($210 + tax) at the site hotel (The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis). These rooms will be assigned on a first request basis. To reserve your room, please call 866-828-9111 and mention the SEAK/Workers’ Compensation Conference. The resort is surrounded by 52 totally private acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and offers an 18-hole par 54 golf course, a private patio or balcony for the 232 guest rooms, a complete fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, a whirlpool, a complete spa, and free parking. The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis is conveniently located within walking distance of Main Street with its many shops and restaurants. Public beaches and the ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are minutes from the hotel.
Alternative Lodging
As a tourist destination, the Hyannis area has numerous alternative lodging options for different tastes and budgets. We have reserved a block of overflow rooms at The Holiday Inn Hyannis at a discounted rate ($189 single/double). To make your reservations, please call (508) 775-1153 and identify yourselves as being with SEAK, Inc. or book online at www.holidayinn.com/hyannisma and Enter Group Code: SEK. During the conference, SEAK, Inc. will provide free regularly scheduled shuttle bus service between The Holiday Inn Hyannis and The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. The Holiday Inn Hyannis is approximately 3 miles from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis and is located nearby the Cape Cod Mall and several restaurants. The Holiday Inn Hyannis was recently renovated and features an indoor pool, restaurant, modern gym and free hi-speed internet access. If you prefer a hotel on the harbor and within walking distance of downtown/waterfront restaurants, we suggest the Anchor In (www.anchorin.com), which is 2 miles from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. For a good value, we suggest the Sea Coast Inn (www.seacoastcapecod.com) which is within healthy walking distance of the site hotel and easy walking distance of main street and the Hyannis docks. For a small motel directly across from Craigville Beach, we suggest the Ocean View on Craigville Beach (www.capecodoceanviewmotel.com) If you are coming with your family or colleagues and prefer a suite or townhouse with kitchenette, we suggest the Red Jacket Green Harbor Resort, which is located directly on Lewis Bay, 3 miles from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. If you would like to stay at an oceanfront beach resort with a private beach, jet ski rentals, etc., we suggest the Red Jacket Beach Resort (www.redjacketresorts.com). The Red Jacket Beach Resort is 6 miles from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis, but please note that traffic can be heavy in the afternoons coming back from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis.
Getting to Hyannis
The two major airports closest to Cape Cod are Logan International Airport in Boston, MA (70 miles) and T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island (80 miles). Barnstable Airport is a five minute drive from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis, but this is a commuter airport that has smaller planes and fewer flights. T.F. Green is preferred over Logan (if you are able to get a direct flight) as it is usually less congested. Rental cars, taxis and car service are available at all three airports. If you are on a tight budget or prefer not to drive, Plymouth & Brockton runs bus service between Logan Airport and Hyannis (www.p-b.com).
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is a true destination spot that features beautiful beaches, warm water, great restaurants, historic towns, sightseeing, kayaking, whale watching, museums, numerous bike trails, shopping, nightlife, championship golf, and world famous boating. Cape Cod is also gateway to the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. For more information on what to do on Cape Cod, please visit www.capecod.com.
Conference Program: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
8:00–8:50 Registration, Continental Breakfast and Exhibits
8:50–9:00 Introductory Remarks, Announcements
9:00–9:50 Why Injured Claimants Hire Attorneys: How to Avoid Unnecessary Litigation
The Honorable David W. Langham
Judge Langham will review the poor practices of employers, insurers, and self-insurers that result in injured workers unnecessarily hiring counsel. He will discuss poor communication practices with injured workers, claim practices, and return to work practices leading to bad outcomes. Judge Langham will provide practical suggestions for treating injured claimants with respect, understanding, and empathy to avoid all parties being driven to unnecessary and costly litigation.
Judge Langham was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1991, after graduating with distinction from Mississippi College School of Law that year. In November 2001, he was appointed Judge of Compensation Claims in Pensacola by Governor Bush. In 2005, he was re-appointed by Governor Bush as the Pensacola JCC. In May 2006, Governor Bush appointed David Deputy Chief Judge of Compensation Claims. He previously practiced as an associate and then partner in a small law firm,then as a sole practitioner, and later as a partner in Langham and Langham, P.A. with his wife. His practice included workers’ compensation, employment related civil litigation, medical malpractice defense and personal injury. He has lectured at numerous seminars regarding workers’ compensation issues. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of North Florida, and a periodic instructor with the Florida State University Extension Education Program, the University of North Florida’s Extension Program, and Pensacola Junior College. David has written articles regarding workers’ compensation issues which have been published in The Florida Bar Journal, The News and Four-Forty Report, Florida Comp and the Trial Advocate Quarterly.
9:50–10:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
10:00–10:50 Functional Restoration and Presenteeism in Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders
Tom G. Mayer, MD
Dr. Mayer will review the guidelines and evidence based outcomes for chronic occupational musculoskeletal disorders. He will explain the effects of presenteeism, the benefit of employees staying at work post-injury, and high quality FCEs. Dr. Mayer will present the current best practices for chronic pain management and functional restoration, and will offer practical suggestions for occupational health professionals dealing with chronic musculoskeletal disorders.
Tom G. Mayer, MD is the medical director and founding partner of Productive Rehabilitation Institute of Dallas for Ergonomics (PRIDE). He received his BA from Harvard College and his MD from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Mayer is a Founding Member of the North American Spine Society and is board certified in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Mayer is well-known in the medical community for his extensive research on musculoskeletal conditions, rehabilitation, and his development of functional restoration. He has co-authored 4 books and hundreds of articles, including: Effects of Presenteeism in Chronic Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders. He is a highly sought after speaker and educator, both nationally and internationally.
10:50-11:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
11:00–12:00 Can’t Work or Won’t Work?: Psychological Disability in the Workplace
Liza H. Gold, MD
Dr. Gold will review the impact of psychiatric illness, one of the leading causes of disability claims, on the workplace. She will explain the need for quick and thorough evaluation and discuss the elements of a comprehensive psychological evaluation, including: psychiatric, personal, social, medical, workplace factors, clinical interview, and review of relevant information from multiple sources. Dr. Gold will review the challenging issues involved in determining causation of psychiatric injury or illness. Dr. Gold will also review the necessary information that an evaluation should provide, including specific information about impairments and associated dysfunction, and how these should be correlated with the employee’s specific job requirements. Finally, Dr. Gold will provide practical suggestions for obtaining appropriate evaluation of claims that can help prevent prolonged conflict and dispute, and can assist in returning an employee to the workplace.
Liza H. Gold, MD is a board certified general and forensic psychiatrist in private practice in Arlington,Virginia. She is the co-author of the text, Evaluating Mental Health Disability in the Workplace. Dr. Gold is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Georgetown University Medical Center and teaches at the Georgetown Department of Psychiatry Residency and Forensic Fellowship Program. She is a consultant at the John Howard Forensic Division of St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC and to the Arlington County Courts. Dr. Gold is the award winning author of Sexual Harassment: Psychiatric Assessment in Employment Litigation. She is also the coeditor of The American Psychiatric Textbook of Forensic Psychiatry and The American Psychiatric Textbook of Forensic Psychiatry Study Guide, now in preparation for a second
edition.
12:00–1:30 LUNCH (PROVIDED WITH FACULTY) & EXHIBITS
1:30–2:30 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE
A. Commercial Driver Medical Examinations (DOT): Latest Developments
Natalie Hartenbaum, MD, MPH, FACOEM
Dr. Hartenbaum will discuss current status of updating the commercial driver medical certification process. She will review recent recommendations from Medical Expert Panels including but not limited to that on Chronic Kidney Disease, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Musculoskeletal Disorders. Dr. Hartenbaum will provide information on responses of the Medical Review Board and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to those recommendations. She will offer practical suggestions regarding the new and modified regulations and guidelines and will address areas of frequent concern.
Natalie P. Hartenbaum, MD, MPH, FACOEM is president and chief medical officer of OccuMedix in Dresher, PA. She received her BA and MD from Temple University and her MPH in occupational medicine from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Hartenbaum has written and lectured extensively on commercial driver medical certification and other areas of transportation fitness for duty. As of May 2009, she is President of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
B. Medicare Set-Asides and Workers’ Compensation: What You Need to Know
James E. Pocius, Esq.
Attorney Pocius will discuss the two divisions of Medicare and the effect of the SCHIP reporting law on old and open cases and future cases in settlement. Atty. Pocius will provide insight into practical considerations and decision making, including: early estimates of the MSA and conditional payment, the signed authorization, timing, accuracy, approval time, new drug policy, coordinating conditional payments and MSAs, settlement documents, releases and indemnity, and only obtaining an MSA if it is needed. He will offer suggestions for communication and compromise settlement,covered and non-covered expenses, and compliance & settlement of workers’ compensation claims.
James E. Pocius, Esq. is a shareholder and regional supervisor in workers’ compensation for the Pennsylvania law firm of Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin. Jim has litigated hundreds of workers’ compensation and federal black lung cases. He has written and lectured extensively on Medicare set-asides. He spends much of his time estimating and obtaining approval of Medicare setasides in workers’ compensation cases across the United States. Atty. Pocius was named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in 2006 and 2009 in the workers’ compensation area.
C. Advanced Musculoskeletal/Neurological Assessment: A Hands-On Approach
Melody Rasmor, RN, MS, COHN-S, FNP
Ms. Rasmor will demonstrate a hands-on approach for the musculoskeletal neurological assessment to increase skills needed to conduct screenings, evaluate medical records and perform on-site physical examinations. Ms. Rasmor will review the importance of careful history taking. Participants will refine their ability to distinguish normal from abnormal findings. She will explain the specific techniques involved in inspection, palpation, range of motion, strength testing, sensory neurological, Deep Tendon Reflexes, and specialized neurological assessment tests. Ms. Rasmor will offer practical suggestions on how to do high quality, cost-effective advanced musculoskeletal/neurological assessments.
Melody Rasmor, RN, MS, COHN-S, FNP, is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Occupational Health Nurse with twenty-five years of experience. Currently, she is employed as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Washington State University. Ms. Rasmor received her BSN from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington and her Master’s of Science from University of Portland. In the past she has consulted with many companies such as Levi Strauss & Company, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Bemis Bag, Inc., and Tetra-Pak. Ms. Rasmor has published articles in the AAOHN Journal on Health Assessment for the Occupational Health Nurse. In 1990, and 2004 she served as a deployed Nurse Practitioner/Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, she has taught at the undergraduate and graduate level for University of Portland and Oregon Health Sciences University. Ms. Rasmor received the Oregon Nurses’ Association Teaching and Leadership Award for the Portland Metropolitan Area and the Meritorious Service Award in the US Army Reserves.
2:30–2:40 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
2:40–3:40 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE
A. Occupational Knee Injuries: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes
John Cherf, MD, MBA, MPH
Dr. Cherf will discuss the importance of orthopedics care and specifically treating disorders of the knee in the WC system. He will highlight mechanisms of knee injury, different types of knee pathology, comprehensive evaluation and treatment considerations and provide overall strategies for optimizing outcomes of workers with knee injuries. Dr. Cherf will also emphasize the importance of controlling direct and indirect cost and offer cost effective care strategies.
Dr. Cherf is a thought leader in caring for the injured worker, with over 15 years of clinical experience in orthopedics, sports medicine and workers’ compensation. Dr. Cherf speaks at numerous local, regional and national meetings on orthopedic occupational medicine, has served as an orthopedic consultant for Concentra, and is a member of the Illinois Governor’s Council on Health & Physical Fitness. Dr. Cherf has a varied educational background that includes both MBA and MPH degrees from Northwestern University. Dr. Cherf received his MD degree from Northwestern University Medical School. Dr. Cherf now serves as president of The Chicago Institute of Orthopedics (CIOO) and is a founding member of the orthopedic department at The Neurologic and Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago (the first orthopedic and neurosurgical specialty hospital in the country). Prior to his move, Dr. Cherf was the founder and president of the Midwest Orthopedic Institute in Eastern Indiana. Dr. Cherf has published in numerous peer review journals, speaks internationally, and serves on several advisory boards for health care related businesses. Dr. Cherf served as team physician for the WNBA Select Team when they participated in the 2003 World Cup and has recently begun working with the US Soccer Federation.
B. The Role of the Occupational Health Nurse in the Litigated Case: Who’s Your Master and How Not to Cross the Ethical Line!
Douglas Feldman Esq. and Allison Hanson, MBA
Douglas Feldman and Allison Hanson will lead a lively educational session devoted entirely to the medical aspect of litigated worker’s compensation claims. Throughout the presentation they will outline the multiple variances that impact each disputed claim, present some real-world situations, and will conclude the presentation with a mock cross exam of an occupational health nurse in a work comp case! This session will provide you with the foundation necessary in order to start mitigating your overall claims costs, particularly the medical component, which is the major cost driver in any given dispute.
Douglas M. Feldman Esq. is a shareholder with the Law Firm of Lindner & Marsack, S.C. Atty. Feldman is licensed in both Wisconsin and Michigan and his current practice is primarily focused upon representing insurance companies and self-insured employers in worker’s compensation matters in both states as well as representing management in employment litigation issues such as termination issues, ADA claims and handicap discrimination. Mr. Feldman is a frequent lecturer and speaker on topics such as worker’s compensation, family and medical leave, The Americans with Disabilities Act, and other related issues.
C. Integrated Health and Productivity in the Workplace: What Works
Jeannie K. Hanna, RN, MSN, COHN-S, FAAOHN
Ms. Hanna will discuss how to define your overall benefits strategy and how it links to total rewards, health,and wellness. She will define how all health and productivity programs are integrated (benefits, wellness, EAP, disability, workers’ compensation, FMLA, ADA, absence management, safety, occupational health, human resources). Ms. Hanna will explain how to: establish metrics measuring success, drive positive health and cost outcomes, provide care management programs that integrate condition management and lifestyle changes, and structure programs to reward healthy lifestyle choices and participation. Ms. Hanna will offer practical cost-effective suggestions for integrated health and productivity in the workplace.
Jeannie K. Hanna RN, MSN, COHN-S, FAAOHN is the Director, Integrated Health and Productivity at the Hershey Company where she has global responsibility for helping to drive business results by furthering the company’s strategic approach to employee health & wellness with the goal of improving productivity and efficiency across the business. She is currently on the AAOHN Board of Directors Northeast Region, the AAOHN Journal Editorial Review Board, Council of Nurse Leaders Steering Committee and is on the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) Scientific Committee for Occupational Health. Ms. Hanna received her BSN and MSN from the University of South Carolina. She has written and lectured extensively on occupational health, productivity, wellness, and leadership.
3:40–3:50 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
3:50–4:50 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE
A. FMLA Latest Developments: What All Occupational Health Professionals Need To Know
Michael J. Ossip, Esq.
Attorney Ossip will review the latest FMLA regulations issued by the Department of Labor and the most recent judicial interpretations of those regulations. He will discuss issues involved with determining FMLA eligibility, as well as the importance of designating FMLA leave, compliance with and use of FMLA certification requirements, how frequently employers can request recertification of serious health conditions, and the proper handling of intermittent leave requests and light duty requests. He will explain the interplay of FMLA with disability plans and workers’ compensation benefits. Finally, Atty. Ossip will discuss how employers can comply with the new FMLA military leave requirements applicable to care for injured service members and exigency leaves.
Michael J. Ossip, Esq. is a partner in the Philadelphia law firm of Morgan Lewis and Bockius LLP, in its labor and employment law practice. Attorney Ossip’s practice is devoted exclusively to the representation of management in employee relations matters, including the FMLA. From 2004 through 2009, Atty. Ossip was named one of the leading U.S. lawyers for employment law by Chambers USA, based on the views of clients, peers, and other industry professionals. Atty. Ossip is the co-editor-in chief of Ossip and Hale, The Family and Medical Leave Act, published by BNA Books, the most comprehensive treatise on the FMLA ever published, and a senior editor of the treatise’s annual supplements. He has written and presented extensively on the interaction among the ADA, FMLA, and workers’ compensation statutes, and regarding sexual harassment and the FLSA.
B. Prevention: VPP OSHA Audits to Reduce Injuries, Illnesses, and Costs
Jennifer J. Lim, MSN, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN
Ms. Lim will define the OSHA VPP parameters including days away and lost time rates, roles, and responsibilities. She will explain the benefits of utilizing VPP as a tool. Ms. Lim will review proactive efforts to promote a safe and healthy work environment and the collaborative relationships necessary to do so. Ms. Lim will discuss the multidisciplinary approach to work related case reviews and will provide examples. Ms. Lim will give practical suggestions for the costeffective use of the prevention assessment model and OSHA compliance with medical surveillance.
Jennifer J. Lim, MSN, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN is a Senior Director of Operations at Comprehensive Health Services and resides in Denver, Colorado. Ms. Lim is responsible for management of 25 health clinics for a major Corporation, with over 90 employees, and ensures the implementation of the OSHA medical surveillance programs. She received her BSN from San Jose State University and her MSN from Regis University. Ms. Lim has written and lectured extensively on occupational health issues, and leadership skills and competencies. She is certified by the ABOHN in case management and occupational health and currently serves on their Board of Directors.
5:00–6:00 Reception
Conference Program: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
7:00–8:00 Continental Breakfast and Exhibits
8:00–8:50 Risk Management: Best Practices for Workers’ Compensation and Beyond
Fred. O. Pachón
Mr. Pachón will review risk management best practices that he has implemented for Select Staffing, Inc. including: risk avoidance, risk detouring, risk transferring, and risk reduction. He will explain the use of job application screening protocols, incentive promotions, dashboard technology, attorney performance benchmarks, investigators performance reports, and TPA quarterbacks. Mr. Pachón will offer practical cost-effective suggestions for reducing costs, disability, and lost time.
Fred. O. Pachón of Select Staffing Inc. was recently selected as Business Insurance’s 2009 Risk Manager of the Year. Mr. Pachón received a degree in business administration from the Central University of Venezuela. Fred has over 20 years of experience in the insurance field. He has worked as a Claims Adjuster for Republic Indemnity (Great American), an SIU Investigator for Industrial Indemnity, a special investigator for the department of insurance, and a Unit Claims Supervisor for Crum & Foster. He was also employed as a Disability Manager for Western General. His professional designations include CPDM (Certified Professional in Disability Management), WCCP (Workers’ Compensation Claims Professional), and ARM (Associate in Risk Management). He is also a Certified Risk Manager, OSHA-Certified and licensed by the State of California to run a Self-Insured Program.
8:50–9:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
9:00–9:50 Achieving Return to Work Success: What Works
Glenn Pransky, MD
Dr. Pransky will review the latest techniques, strategies, and research on achieving cost-effective and timely return to work for injured workers. He will discuss the latest developments – cost-effective treatment, best practices to effectuate return to work, helping employees to develop support for successful RTW after their return, effective accommodations,and identifying and resolving potential problems before they lead to recurrent disability.
Dr. Glenn Pransky is Director of the Center for Disability Research at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute in Hopkinton, MA. The Center is dedicated to scientific research on safe and sustained return to work, has over a dozen active studies, and has produced over 90 scientific publications in the past 10 years. He also directs a large NIOSH - funded prospective cohort study of outcomes in workrelated injuries and illnesses in older workers, and several other studies of disability prevention and rehabilitation effectiveness in work-related musculoskeletal disorders. He is the author of numerous scientific articles on disability, measures of work-related outcomes in occupational injuries and illnesses, treatment interventions, and screening for occupational disease. In 2008, he received the American College of Occupational Medicine Kehoe Award for his scientific contributions, and the NIOSH NORA Innovative Research Award. He is boardcertified in both occupational medicine and internal medicine, and holds faculty appointments as an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, in Worcester, Mass, and at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. Dr. Pransky received his M.D. from the Tufts University School of Medicine, a master’s degree in occupational health from the Harvard School of Public Health, and completed a research fellowship at the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.
9:50–10:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
10:00–10:50 Symptom Magnification, Malingering and Fraud: What Occupational Health Professionals Need to Know
H. Douglas Jones, Esq.
Attorney Jones will discuss the numerous indicators and red flags that can and should place one on notice that the claimant may be engaging in symptom magnification, malingering, or fraud. He will explain the review of records, high quality IMEs and objective distraction and other tests to identify and confirm symptom magnification and malingering. Attorney Jones will offer cost-effective suggestions for identifying, uncovering, reducing, and defending exaggerated, abusive, or fraudulent workers’ compensation claims.
H. Douglas Jones, Esq., is the managing partner and trial lawyer in the Florence, Kentucky law firm of Jones Dietz & Schrand PLLC. He received his BA from the University of Kentucky in Journalism and his JD from Northern Kentucky University - Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where he also teaches a course in workers’ compensation law. Attorney Jones has written extensively and lectured both nationally and internationally on all aspects of workers’ compensation law. He is a member of the Steering Committee of the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Research Institute, Kentucky Defense Counsel, Inc., and was selected as a member of The Best Lawyers in America. He is co-author of three editions of Workers’ Compensation in Kentucky. Atty. Jones is an inaugural member of ABA College of Workers’ Compensation attorneys and on the Board of Directors of the National Workers’ Defense Network.
10:50–11:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
11:00–12:00 Epidemiology in the Courtroom: An Evidence-Based Paradigm for the Determination of Causation in Compensation Environments
Donald C. Sinclair II, Esq.
Attorney Sinclair will discuss the preferred methodology for the determination of causation in compensation environments. He will review qualifications, reliable scientific knowledge, and the Daubert tests of admissibility including methodology, differential diagnosis, epidemiology and evidence based medicine. Attorney Sinclair will explain why the NIOSH Guide for the Determination of Work-Relatedness should be used in the compensation setting.
Attorney Sinclair, an experienced litigator, concentrates his legal practice on the defense of occupational and environmental injury and illness claims. Atty. Sinclair has been particularly active in actions alleging work-related occupational and environmental injury and illness claims prosecuted under the Federal Employers Liability Act. Atty. Sinclair has lectured extensively on the admissibility of novel and complex scientific evidence, including the evidence-based determination of causation, the epidemiology of occupation and environmental injury and illness, national and international standards on whole body vibration and repeated shock exposure, regulation of occupational noise exposure, and proposed state and federal ergonomics regulations. Atty. Sinclair is frequently retained as a consultant to corporations and private-sector law firms relating to the admissibility of scientific evidence.
12:00–1:30 LUNCH (PROVIDED WITH FACULTY) & EXHIBITS
1:30–2:30 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE
A. Avoiding Dogmas in Hand Surgery: What Every Occupational Health Professional Should Know
Robert M. Szabo, MD, MPH
Dr. Szabo will review what dogma has been perpetuated in hand surgery. He will discuss how to avoid relying on and creating more dogma. He will explain that Evidence Based Practice needs to be adopted to improve selecting best treatments for our patients. He will demonstrate the limitations of Evidence Based Medicine. Dr. Szabo will offer practical cost effective suggestions to achieve these goals.
Dr. Robert Szabo, UC Davis professor of orthopaedic surgery and plastic surgery, is the President of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Szabo is the chief of the Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Service for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and also is the department’s hand surgery fellowship director. One of the country’s leading hand surgeons, Szabo has clinical interests in hand and upper-extremity problems such as brachial plexus and peripheral nerve surgery; shoulder, elbow and wrist joint replacements; wrist reconstruction, including arthroscopy; congenital deformities, including llizarov reconstructions; tumors; and microvascular reconstructive free tissue transfers.
B. Current Strategies and Considerations for Dealing with Workers’ Compensation Claims Involving Undocumented Workers: A 50 State Survey
Richard A. Watts, Esq.
Attorney Watts will review the impact of federal law on illegal aliens’ entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits (a multistate comparison). He will discuss the employer’s responsibilities in hiring/retaining illegal aliens (are clean hands needed?) and the effect of an undocumented workers’ status in a light duty return to work scenario. Atty. Watts will explain how an illegal alien’s status changes rehabilitation considerations for the case manager, including: is vocational rehabilitation appropriate, are housing provisions appropriate, and the impact of the alien’s status on medical treatment/entitlement. Atty. Watts will offer practical suggestions for dealing with undocumented workers.
Richard A. “Rusty” Watts, Esq. is a partner and trial attorney in the Atlanta Law Firm of Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers. He received his BA from the University of Florida and his JD from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. Atty. Watts is a member of the State Bar of Georgia Workers’ Compensation Section. He also serves as a part-time professor at the Georgia State University Law School and School of Risk Management and Insurance, as well as Mercer University’s Stetson School of Business. Atty. Watts frequently lectures on workers’ compensation issues.
C. A Bitter Pill: The Cost of Managing Pain in Workers’ Compensation
Tracey Davanport, RN, BSN, CCM, CLCP
Ms. Davanport will identify how both cost and utilization impact overall pharmacy costs. She will describe the tools available to effectively manage treatment for chronic pain patients, including IME/AME exams, best doctors, use of defense counsel, and treatment alternatives. Ms. Davanport will offer practical cost-effective suggestions for overcoming inappropriate utilization of opiates for pain and non-compliant behavior in the injured worker.
Tracey Davanport, RN, BSN, CCM, CLCP is the national director of managed care/medical management oversight for Argonaut Insurance Company in Atlanta, GA. She received her BA from Auburn University and her BSN from Middle Tennessee State University. Ms. Davanport is responsible at Argonaut for the national oversight of large loss files and protocols to manage chronic pain. She is a certified case manager, a member of the Work Comp Advisory Board, and has particular expertise in pain management and the use of opiates to treat chronic pain.
2:30–2:40 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
2:40–3:40 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE
A. ADA and Workers’ Compensation: Latest Developments
Robert E. Maciorowski, Esq.
Attorney Maciorowski will review the complex interplay between the ADA and state workers’ compensation statutes. He will identify the primary areas of overlap and conflict including: leaves of absence, reasonable accommodation, medical certifications, return-to-work examinations, light duty, pre-existing conditions, and physical stressors of the job. He will explain how to use your collective bargaining agreement to your advantage and how to place injured employees outside your workplace. Atty. Maciorowski will offer practical suggestions for effectively dealing with the ADA and workers’ compensation interplay.
Robert E. Maciorowski, Esq. is a founding member of the law firm of Maciorowski, Sackmann & Ulrich, located in Chicago, Illinois. He received his B.A. from Illinois Benedictine College and his J.D. from DePaul University, College of Law. He is one of the founding members of the National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network and an active member of the American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute and Illinois State Bar Association. He was inducted by the American Bar Association as a Fellow to the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. He carries the highest rating from Martindale Hubbell “AV”. He has written and lectured extensively on workers’ compensation and related matters to include the Americans with Disabilities Act.
B. Use, Abuse, and Future of FCEs: For Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine
Susan Isernhagen, PT
Ms. Isernhagen will review the best practices for ordering evaluations, utilizing, and defending an FCE. She will explain the optimum timing, documentation, and coordination with the IME. Ms. Isernhagen will discuss the move toward consensus among FCE providers and how workers’ compensation and occupational health professional can effectively utilize FCEs to encourage return to work.
Susan Isernhagen, PT, of DSI Work Solutions, Duluth, MN, is a developer and practitioner in the fields of work injury management and prevention. She specializes in occupational health and created many of its fundamental programs: the first functional capacity assessment, functional job description and functional prework screen process. Her published peer-reviewed research includes reliability of assessing functional capacity performance and identifying predictors for return to work. Susan is editor/author of two textbooks used worldwide: Work Injury Management and Prevention, and The Comprehensive Guide to Work Injury Management, and is a contributor to the AMA Publication Guide to the Evaluation of Functional Ability.
C. Workplace Violence: What Every Occupational Health Professional Needs to Know
Evie Bain, MEd, RN, COHN-S, FAAOHN
Ms. Bain will review current information and events related to workplace violence in the healthcare industry. She will discuss issues related to worker stress, work related injuries and effective interventions to restore workers health and mental well being after an assault. Ms. Bain will explain how this relates to patient safety in the healthcare industry. She will demonstrate the use of methods and materials that are useful in developing effective violence prevention programs. Ms. Bain will offer practical cost-effective suggestions on how to make the workplace safer from Workplace Violence.
Evelyn Bain, MEd, RN, COHN-S, FAAOHN is a consultant in occupational health and safety working with a focus on the healthcare industry. From 1996 to 2010 she was Associate Director and the Coordinator of the Health and Safety Division for the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA). Her responsibilities included developing occupational safety and health education and advocacy programs for MNA members and others. She worked with groups and individuals both inside and outside the organization to address concerns in relation to job hazards and improving working conditions for nurses and other healthcare workers. This work focused on all hazards within the hospitals and long term care facilities including latex allergy, sharps injuries, bloodborne pathogens exposures, ergonomics and workplace violence. Ms. Bain was a speaker and poster presentation winner at the International Workplace Violence Conference in Amsterdam Holland in 2008. Evelyn Bain is a registered nurse and diploma school graduate from Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing, she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Roger Williams University in Social and Health Services and a Master of Education with concentration in Health, from Rhode Island College. She is certified as an Occupational Health Nurse Specialist (COHN-S) by the American Board of Occupational Health Nursing. She is an authorized OSHA trainer for General Industry Outreach programs. Evelyn is a fellow of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (FAAOHN).
Conference Program: Thursday, July 22, 2010
7:00–8:00 Continental Breakfast and Exhibits
8:00–8:50 The 20 Characteristics of Successful Worksite Wellness Programs
Don R. Powell, Ph.D.
Dr. Powell will discuss how comprehensive programs need to be to succeed and the research available to justify and “sell” worksite wellness programs. He will explain how much employers can expect to spend and the cost-effectiveness of successful programs. Dr. Powell will detail and explain the 20 characteristics of successful worksite wellness programs and will offer practical suggestions for developing and implementing a cost-effective program that works.
Dr. Don R. Powell is the President and CEO of the American Institute for Preventive Medicine located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. It is internationally recognized for its ability to present health information in a format that employees can easily understand and are motivated to follow; thereby reducing health care costs and absenteeism. Involved with wellness since 1971, Dr. Powell is a founding father of the field and is often referred to as the “Wizard of Wellness” for having helped millions of people improve their health. He is a licensed psychologist who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He also taught in the University’s Psychology Department for eight years where he was nominated for the “Distinguished Teaching Award” and presently serves as a guest lecturer. Dr. Powell is considered to be one of the country’s foremost authorities on the design and implementation of community and corporate health management programs. He is the author of fourteen best-selling books including Healthier at Home and A Year of Health Hints. He gave 110% in writing his latest book Best Sports Clichés Ever which Sports Illustrated called “a home run”. He also wrote a nationally syndicated newspaper column and has published many professional articles. Dr. Powell has received numerous awards for his work in health promotion, including the Hod Ogden Medal from the Centers for Disease Control, the Distinguished Leadership and Service Award from the Association for Worksite Health Promotion, the Healthy American Fitness Leaders Award, the Governor’s Physical Fitness and Health Award, and the Director’s Award for Innovative Public Health Contributions. He is a member of the U.S. Government’s “Healthy People 2010” project, which has set the nation’s health goals for the 21st century. Dr. Powell has also appeared on hundreds of television and radio talk shows, including “Good Morning America,” “FOX & Friends,” “CNN,” “ESPN,” “Cold Pizza,” and “Body by Jake” and has been featured in many publications including USA Today, New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.
8:50–9:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
9:00–9:50 How to Help Win the Contested Workers’ Compensation Case: What the Employer and Occupational Health Professional Can Do
Terry Hill, Esq.
Attorney Hill will discuss the role that occupational health and workers’ compensation professional can play in the contested workers’ compensation case. He will review investigation, preparation, report writing, hiring of expert witnesses, settlement and trial of the contested workers’ compensation case. Atty. Hill will review the available issues in workers’ compensation claims including causation, liability, disability, illegal status, and will discuss the other defenses available in contested workers’ compensation case. He will offer practical advice on how to effectively deal with the claimant, plaintiff, and defense counsel, employer, self-insurer and judge in the contested workers’ compensation case.
Terry L. Hill, Esq. is managing partner and a trial attorney at the Tennessee law firm of Manier & Herod. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Tennessee. He is currently Executive Director of the Tennessee Self-Insurers’ Association. Atty. Hill has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, having received that honor each year since 1995 in the category of Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorneys. He has recently been selected as one of the “Mid-South Super Lawyers” in the area of workers’ compensation, and is Past President of the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association. Atty. Hill has drafted many of the changes to the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation statutes, and has authored three (3) books on Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Law. He served for three years as Chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Federation of Insurance & Corporate Counsel. Attorney Hill has lectured and written extensively on workers’ compensation defense.
9:50–10:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
10:00–10:50 Adverse Effects of Narcotics: Chronic Pain Patients
David Linklater, MD, MBA, FCFP, FCBOM
Dr. Linklater will review the science of opioids and examine the trends of opioid use. He will discuss the phenomenon of abuse/diversion and describe the problematic prescriber and prescription. Dr. Linklater will contrast chronic pain with chronic pain syndrome and discuss morbidity and mortality associated with chronic opioids. Dr. Linklater will offer a risk management strategy for medical and claims issues and present the result of a successful program to prevent and intervene.
Dr. David Linklater is a Medical Manager at the Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta and remains in active practice in Edmonton. Dr. Linklater completed his medical training at the University of Alberta and was granted the B. Med. Sci. degree and the MD degree in 1983. He completed his family medicine residency and received the certification of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP). He received his MBA from the University of Alberta, and was made a Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and received the Fellowship of the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine. Dr. Linklater began his career in rural practice in Northern Alberta. He was an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta until 1995. At that time, he became the Senior Physician at Alberta Health and Wellness until 1997. At WCB Alberta, he has lead large scale initiatives for patient safety, evidence based medicine, and disease/disability management resulting in improved outcomes and cost savings. He is currently leading a change initiative on shoulder disability management.
10:50–11:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
11:00–12:00 Management of Workers’ Compensation Claims: What Works with Our Aging Workforce
David Deitz, MD, Ph.D.
Dr. Deitz will review the rising number of older workers and where these workers will be in the future. He will discuss how health impacts work ability and risk in older works. Dr. Deitz will explain the known safety risks and how we can recognize problems early on and promote health. Dr. Deitz will discuss how the problems with older workers impact claim management and will offer practical cost-effective solutions that employers and occupational professional can use to maximize safety for older workers.
David C. Deitz, MD, Ph.D. is responsible for medical review operations and medical policy for Liberty Mutual Group’s workers‘ compensation business nationwide. A graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine, Dr. Deitz completed post-graduate training at Miami and Harvard Medical School, and has over 20 years experience in managed medical care, guidelines development, healthcare outcomes evaluation and reporting, and utilization management systems in both workers‘ compensation and group health. Prior to joining Liberty Mutual, he worked in the private sector overseeing content development for managed care software and reporting systems that were successfully deployed at many group health and workers’ compensation insurers. At Liberty Mutual, he oversees a staff of Regional Medical Directors and is also responsible for iCaseManager, Liberty’s electronic clinical claims support tool, and medical training. Dr. Deitz is also active in medical reform efforts in the property/casualty industry, and has been involved with medical guidelines and quality review for the NCQA as well as several state reform efforts. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and has practiced both Emergency and Internal Medicine.
12:00–1:30 LUNCH (ON YOUR OWN) & EXHIBITS
1:30–2:30 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE
A. Shoulder Injuries: Latest Developments and Treatment
Brian P. McKeon, MD
Dr. McKeon will review shoulder injuries and their diagnoses. He will discuss the pathophysiology and treatment of common but misunderstood shoulder pathologies, including instability disorders and why some patients are slow to recover. Dr. McKeon will explain and demonstrate with video, advances in technology and surgical techniques that have impacted shoulder treatments. Dr. McKeon will discuss the sports medicine model used to get injured people back to full activities and work.
Brian P. McKeon is an orthopedic surgeon, New England Baptist Hospital, Assistant Clinical Professor, Orthopedics, Tufts University School of Medicine, and team physician for the Boston Celtics. Dr. McKeon received his BS from the University of Connecticut and his MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. McKeon has written extensively on the shoulder and the knee. He has been lecturer, lab instructor, and course co-director of the Boston Shoulder Symposium from 1999-2009. Dr. McKeon has been honored on several occasions by the New England Baptist Hospital with their best teacher award.
B. Increase Your Bottom Line with Proactive Claims Management
Lisa Jernigan, RN, MS, CDMS, COHN-S
Ms. Jernigan will present a comprehensive view of workers’ compensation claims management; from pre-injury program placement to medical treatment and work continuance. She will identify many controllable cost factors that strongly impact claim costs, including stay-at-work programs and will offer opportunities in current workers’ comp programs to develop and maintain momentum to resolve claims as quickly as possible. Ms. Jernigan will offer practical suggestions for cultivating a need for involvement in all claims, prompt reporting, and expanding claims management programs to help increase your bottom line.
Lisa Jernigan, RN, MS, CDMS, COHN-S is President, Excellent Claims Management, Inc. and Director of Risk Management, AllStates Employer Services, Inc., in Pensacola, Florida. Ms. Jernigan received her BA from the University of West Florida and her MS from Troy State University. She has managed multi-state and Federal workers’ compensation cases for nearly 20 years in over 20 states and worked with employers and workers in hundreds of industries. In her two year tenure at AES, she has led her staff in proactive claims management and safety programs that have reduced claims costs more than 85 percent.
C. Settlement of the Workers’ Compensation Case: When to Hold Them and Fold Them
Andrew E. Greenberg, Esq.
Attorney Greenberg will explain why workers’ compensation cases are settled and what is the best approach for clients to settlement and litigation. He will explain how and when the workers’ compensation case should be settled and what mechanism of settlement should be utilized. Atty. Greenberg will review what to do about Medicare set-asides and settlements that are challenged. Atty. Greenberg will offer practical suggestions on how to settle both old and new claims cost-effectively.
Andrew E. Greenberg is a workers’ compensation trial attorney at the Pennsylvania Chartwell law office. He received his BA from Indiana University and his JD from Syracuse University College School of Law. Atty. Greenberg has had extensive experience in trying and settling all types of workers’ compensation cases. He has written and lectured extensively on workers’ compensation. He is the co-author of the well-recognized Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation: Law and Practice, a four volume authoritative treatise on Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Law. He has been an author and lecturer for the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, The Legal Intelligencer, The Pennsylvania Law Weekly, The Pennsylvania Defense Institute and The Pennsylvania Self-Insurers’ Association. He regularly appears on the television program “Law Journal” and has been named a Pennsylvania “Super Lawyer” on multiple occasions.
2:30–2:40 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
2:40–3:40 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE
A. Myths in Physical Medicine and Occupational Health: An Evidence-Based Approach
Kevin Basile, PT, OCS, MTC
Roger M. Nelson, PT, Ph.D., FAPTA
Mr. Basile and Dr. Nelson will explain the role of the physical therapist including documentation in the workers’ compensation system. Mr. Basile and Dr. Nelson will present the evidence to bust commonly heard physical therapy myths about patient management including: length of treatment, use of modalities, measurements, importance of ROM and MMT, and the need to be pain free and released from medical care to return to work. Mr. Basile and Dr. Nelson will offer practical suggestions for the effective use of physical therapy in workers’ compensation cases.
Roger M. Nelson, PT, Ph.D., FAPTA is a professor of the physical therapy program at Lebanon Valley College. He is a former advisor to the US Surgeon General and an internationally recognized educator and expert in the field of physical medicine. He is the president of Expert Clinical Benchmarks in Pennsylvania.
Kevin Basile, PT, OCS, MTC is the Director of Clinical Services MedRisk, Inc, a fiscal intermediary company contracted with payors and providers dealing with the workers’ compensation industry. He is also the owner of Aquabilities, Inc, an aquatic fitness and wellness center providing both land and water based physical therapy and he is an adjunct faculty member of the physical therapy program at Lebanon Valley College. Kevin has over 15 years experience in the provision and administration of physical therapy services.
B. Designing a Return-to-Work Program: on a Shoestring Budget
Walter E. Suita, RN, COHN-S
Mr. Suita will explain how, from the date of injury, it is important to plan for maximum medical improvement. He will discuss the techniques for maintaining an effective presence in the workplace and the personal touch and relationship with the injured employee. Mr. Suita will demonstrate how to work with your medical team, including: meeting with them, providing them with comprehensive job descriptions, and establishing the availability of alternate or modified duty. Mr. Suita will offer practical cost-effective suggestions for establishing a proactive return to work program.
Walter E. Suita, RN, COHN-S is the eastern division manager of occupational health services and case manager for workers’ compensation, for both domestic and foreign cases, including: the US, Western Europe, and the Middle East, for General Dynamics in Taunton, MA. He received his BSN from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and his certification as an occupational health nurses specialist from the American Board of Occupational Health Nurses. Mr. Suita is an experienced trainer in occupational health, case management, and return to work.
C. Overutilization of Medical Services & Medication: What Can & Should Be Done About It
Krista Fergason, RN, BBA
Ms. Fergason will discuss WCRI medical trends of various states indicating medical costs and overutilization and discuss pharmacy trends of claims (roughly 3% first claim year, increasing to over 30% by year 7). She will explain the: use of Nationally recognized treatment guidelines, importance of coordinating training of guidelines with medical bill review staff, utilization management staff and adjusters, and discuss treatment guideline drug recommendations and significance of partnering with the “right” Pharmacy Benefit Manager. Ms. Fergason will give examples of early medical intervention successes and offer practical suggestions for reducing overutilization of medical services and medication.
Krista Fergason, RN, BBA is the Division Director of Risk Management Services Workers’ Compensation Claims Administration for the Texas Association of School Boards. Krista oversees all of the workers’ compensation operations of the TASB Risk Management Fund. The TASB Risk Management Fund is the 6th largest self-insurance pool in the United States. She holds a BBA from the University of North Texas, formerly North Texas State University. She is a licensed Registered Nurse in the state of Texas and a licensed 03 adjuster. Krista has also received her ARM for Public Entities designation. Krista has 24 years of experience in the nursing profession and 20 years of utilization management experience with several years spent managing large medical cost management departments in the workers’ compensation field. Before coming to TASB she was employed as the Vice President of Cost Containment at the Texas Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fund (now Texas Mutual). She has been employed by TASB since January of 1996.