The National Workers' Compensation Review (NWCR), a premier two-day break-out held within the Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (WCEC) on August 22 - 23, combines the highest authority with “word on the street” to prepare you for what’s new—alongside the tried and true.
NWCR is not a series of lectures, but rather strategy sessions to help you close claims with better outcomes at reduced cost—conducted by those who do or facilitate exactly that.
NWCR co-chairs are H. George Kagan, of Miller, Kagan, Rodriguez & Silver, West Palm Beach, Fla.; William E. Pipkin, Jr., of Austill, Lewis, Pipkin & Maddox, Mobile, Ala.; and James M. Anderson, of Anderson Crawley & Burke, Jackson, Miss.
On Monday, August 22, we present the “Focus on Medical 4-Part Super-Session.” Why? You are likely not a doctor, but it is up to you, in the end, to initiate or authorize challenges to persistently inappropriate diagnoses and their effectively self-fulfilling prophesies of unnecessary surgical intervention, drug dependency and disablement. Our leading research and practitioner lecturers haven’t come to hear themselves speak: this year especially they emphatically put before our decision-maker-attendees matters that beg for greater industry buy-in! Do they do this for industry’s sake, or for the sake of our injured workers? Is there a difference? All will benefit if we just start treating what actually ails them, and the rest will reveal themselves. Christopher R. Brigham, MD, of Brigham & Associates in Hilton Head, S.C., moderates.
Part I: CRPS & RSD: Virtually Certainly Invalid Diagnoses: The First Fact-Based Definitions of These Non-Credible and Non-Work-Related Issues; A ‘Slap On The Wrist’ for Those Who Continue To Propagate and Treat What Are Essentially Persistent Medical Myths.
Panel members are David Randolph, M.D., Midwest Occupation Health, Cincinnati; Dr. Brigham; and Robert J. Barth, PhD, Barth Neuroscience. Chattanooga.
The concept of reflex sympathetic dystrophy was a complete scientific failure, and consequently was formally removed from diagnostic taxonomy over 20 years ago. Out of its ashes the concept of complex regional pain syndrome was created, but in a similarly vague and anti-scientific fashion (and somewhat paradoxically, inherently non-work-related by its own definition). Nevertheless, both these ‘concepts’ continue to fuel new claims, notwithstanding the fact new research shows such diagnoses inhabit the world of claimants and plaintiffs almost exclusively! Even the supposed safeguard of “Daubert” has effectively been gamed in the process.
This session is a presentation of the first fact-based definitions of these concepts, as published by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians. These fact-based definitions highlight the non-credible nature of the opinions that typically drive relevant claims.
Part II: The Great and Powerful MRI Has Spoken! Valid Correlations Between Brain & Back Imaging And Findings? Still Absent After all These Years!
Featured speaker for this session is Dr. Russell Travis, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.AA.D.E.P., Neurosurgeon, Lexington, Ky.
If you’ve been around claims long enough you may already harbor misgivings that in terms of MRI results, maybe what’s behind the curtain is not so impressive? You were right. Our specialist presenter, of multiple board certifications, publications, and Current Chair of Spine ACOEM Guidelines, has devoted considerable time and talent demonstrating there is no authentic, reproducible correlation between brain/back imaging and MRI findings!
Part III: All That Glitters: Just what Are The Gold Standards Now in Diagnostic Testing—and What Relics Made up of Only ‘Fool’s Gold?” Via a Live Demo Before Your Eyes, Our Renowned Presenters Will Demonstrate How YOU Can Critically Evaluate and Question Diagnostic Testing Such as MRIs and EMGs/NCVs.
Steve M. Tipton of Flahive, Ogden & Latson, Austin, Texas, moderates. Panel members are Raz Winiarsky, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Spreemo, New York, N.Y.; Trang Nguyen, MD, Midwest Occupation Health, Cincinnati; and Kimberly George, Senior Vice President Corporate Development, M&A and Healthcare Sedgwick, Chicago.
In the workers’ compensation world, we daily encounter test results based on what we perceive to be the Gold Standard of testing—MRIs and EMG/nerve conduction studies. However, in the real world, a closer look by the experts indicates that test results are often relied upon to an inappropriate degree. Test results that are “consistent” with a diagnosis do not prove the existence of the condition itself. This misunderstanding can and does result in inappropriate treatment which invariably yields poor results. Our session will enhance the ability of professionals engaged in workers’ compensation to understand that distinction and will improve outcomes by avoiding treatment misdirection created by that misinterpretation.
Part IV: Medical Management/Pain Management/Opioids: Solutions, Not Just More Lamentations, for Addressing and Curbing Harmful and Excessive Medical Treatment
Panel members are Mark Pew, Senior Vice President, PRIUM, Duluth, Ga.; Suzy Braden, Workers Compensation Claims Manager, HealthSouth Corporation, Birmingham, Ala.; and Patricia Brookey, Vice President of Managed Care, PMA Insurance, Blue Bell, Penn.
Care in the workers' compensation setting often includes treatment not considered in health insurance/non-litigation settings. Why is that? Our highly informed panelists point out specific treatments ‘unique’ to comp—e.g., compounded drugs focused on topical creams for pain management—and then cast in bold relief the unwholesome mixture of motivators here, including the higher/no fee schedules, and efforts geared seemingly more toward “return to doctor’s office” rather than to return to work. Discussion then will shift to realistic treatment guidelines and other tools to help ensure that ‘necessary’ treatment is favored over excessive or clinically inappropriate services. Panelists put forward the effective use of newly validated ‘outcome predictors’ which help thwart unnecessary, counterproductive and harmful treatments and surgeries, not to mention expense.
Day 2, August 23, has a focus on legal issues.
ABOUT THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
Now in its 71st year, the Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference is the must-attend event for C-level executives, risk managers, claims adjusters, insurers, and medical and legal experts. Presented by the Workers’ Compensation Institute, the conference offers attendees an extraordinary opportunity to connect with their peers and learn from nationally recognized experts. The 2016 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference will be held August 21-24 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Follow conference news on Twitter with the hashtag #WCI2016. Registration is now open.