WCRI | Conferences

WCRI Conferences & Seminars

Registration Form

WORKERS COMPENSATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE

ANNUAL ISSUES & RESEARCH CONFERENCE
November 10-11, 2004
Cambridge, Massachusetts

The 21^st Annual WCRI Issues and Research Conference …

is organized around two themes:

Key leverage points in the system

Legislative change in major states

PROGRAM

Key Leverage Points in the System

At the conference, WCRI researchers will present the results of new studies:

PROVIDER CHOICE: How employee or employer choice of provider affects costs, recovery of a worker’s health, return to sustainable employment and duration of disability

ADVERSE SURPRISES: What types of claims generate the most "surprise" for both the employer (significant unanticipated costs) and the worker (significant unanticipated adverse outcomes)? In which states are these surprises most prevalent?

RETURN TO WORK: What are the key determinants of who returns to work and how quickly? How important is each factor?

Legislative Change in Major States

Both this year and next promise to see some of the most significant legislative change and public policy debates in a decade. California, Texas and Tennessee are prime examples. This session provides new insights into the reform actions and debates in these three states. Each state session will highlight the views of senior public officials who were involved in the change process, as well as representatives of diverse major stakeholder groups.

In addition, WCRI will also premiere the newest, not-yet-published, CompScope™ benchmarking results for the 5^th Edition of that important annual study.

CALIFORNIA – The Promise and the Pitfalls:
Research showed that California had more and larger cost drivers than most other states. Public officials enacted major legislation for the second consecutive year. This session brings together senior public officials who were very involved in the legislative change, and representatives of employers, workers, and insurers. They will discuss and debate (1) what the California system will look like in 3-5 years; (2) what has to happen in implementation to get there, what are the major barriers to overcome, and what will be the outstanding issues to address (if any).

TENNESSEE – Responding to Globalization Pressures:
The Governor of Tennessee has made it a priority to improve the competitiveness of Tennessee business in order to retain and expand the number of good job opportunities for Tennessee workers. He identified reducing workers’ compensation costs as an important part of that goal. Tennessee has a particular competitive problem --having eight bordering states, many of them with lower workers’ compensation costs (some with low maximum weekly benefits). Legislation was passed in 2004 that, among other things, reduced statutory PPD benefits for some types of injuries, strengthened incentives for timely payment to workers, and regulated medical fees. This session brings together senior public officials who were very involved in the legislative change, and representatives of employers and workers. They will discuss the need for reform, the proposals, the results and implementation plans.

TEXAS: Wrestling with the Cost Drivers and Improving Outcomes for Workers:
Studies by WCRI and others have shown that the cost per claim in Texas is much higher than typical, yet the outcomes experienced by Texas workers are generally poorer than states like Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. This year and next, public officials will determine what changes in the system should be made to lower costs to employers and improve outcomes to workers. This session will review the evidence about costs and outcomes in Texas. Then a senior public official will discuss the issues and options. Finally, representatives of workers, business, insurers and health care providers will discuss and debate possible changes -- the need for change, as well as their hopes and concerns about specific changes.

The Details:

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Anyone working to improve workers’ compensation systems or seeking to manage a changing environment will benefit from attending the WCRI Annual Issues & Research Conference:

Employers

Risk managers

Public officials

Labor representatives

Insurers

Researchers

Claims managers

Legislative staff

Lawyers

Brokers

Actuaries

Consultants

Third-party administrators

Government affairs representatives

Workers’ compensation service providers

DATES AND LOCATION:

November 10-11, 2004
Cambridge Center Marriott
Two Cambridge Center
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Telephone: 617-494-6600

TIMES:

Registration begins at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 10. Conference hours are from 1:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday and from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 11.

A reception and dinner will begin at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday evening, November 10.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:

WCRI has arranged for a special conference rate of $209 per night (single or double occupancy) at the Cambridge Center Marriott. To make reservations contact the hotel at 617-494-6600. When making reservations, please ask for the Workers Compensation Research Institute block. Reservation requests received after Monday, October 18, 2004 will be accepted on a space- and rate- available basis only. Please register early. The rooms available at the conference rate are limited and may sell out before October 18 . Check-in time is 3:00 P.M. Guests arriving before that time will be accommodated as rooms become available. Check-out time is 12 Noon.

REGISTRATION:

FEES:	By 9/24/04	After 9/24/04

WCRI Members:	$550	$650
Non-members:	$700	$800
Spouse:	$ 75	$ 75

Registration Form

Registration is limited and will be accepted with a paid fee on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration fee includes the conference materials package, refreshment breaks, a reception and dinner on November 10, and lunch on November 11. The registration fee is refundable less a $50 processing fee with a written cancellation notification until November 3. No cancellations after November 3. Substitutions are permitted. Registration confirmation will be sent electronically for all registrants paid before November 3.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE

Founded in late 1983, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is an independent, not-for- profit, research organization providing high-quality, objective information about public policy issues involving workers’ compensation systems. The Institute’s work helps those interested in improving workers’ compensation systems by providing much-needed data and analysis. Those who benefit from the Institute’s work include public officials, insurers, employers, injured workers, organized labor, and others affected by workers’ compensation systems across the United States and around the world.

The WCRI research staff examines effective ways to:

Control medical costs
Reduce litigation
Streamline administration
Ensure adequate and equitable benefits and return-to-work incentives

The Institute does not take positions on issues it researches; rather it provides information obtained through studies and data collection efforts. The Institute’s objective, credible research has contributed to reform that has resulted in more cost-effective, less litigious, and more predictable and just workers’ compensation systems. As the Institute’s reputation for objective research has grown, more policymakers are looking to the Institute as a source of information to help them make sound, informed decisions about legislation and administrative reforms. Approximately 200 organizations currently support the work of the Institute. WCRI members benefit from publications and programs that enable them to make educated decisions regarding workers’ compensation issues. For more information, please call 617/ 661-WCRI (9274) or visit our web site at www.wcrinet.org.

WCRI conferences are an opportunity for WCRI members and others in the workers’ compensation community from diverse organizations to meet. Members receive a discounted registration fee.

955 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 617-661-WCRI (9274)