WORKERS COMPENSATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE

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ANNUAL ISSUES & RESEARCH CONFERENCE
October 24-25, 2007
Boston, Massachusetts

PrograM

CALIFORNIA REFORMS:  MONITORING THE IMPACT.  Between 2003 and 2006, major changes were enacted and implemented, lowering both medical and indemnity costs substantially and raising unanswered questions about how these changes affected workers. WCRI researchers will preview preliminary results of several studies that show how costs changed, why, and how worker outcomes were affected. These outcomes include access to care, satisfaction with care, recovery of physical health, and return to work.

TEXAS REFORMS:  MONITORING THE IMPACTS OF HB2600 AND HB7.  In 2001 and 2005, the Texas legislature enacted changes to the system, many of which had the potential to change the nature and cost of medical care. WCRI researchers will present preliminary results of several studies that examine the impact of HB2600 and provide the baselines for evaluating the impact of HB7—much of which was implemented during 2006. Future WCRI studies will examine the impact of HB7. These studies quantify changes in costs, the nature of medical care delivered, and worker outcomes, like access to care, satisfaction with care, recovery of physical health, and return to work.

LESSONS FROM A STABLE AND LOWER COST STATE.  A common question that WCRI gets is “Which states are the best?” As researchers, we know that there is no single answer to this question, since the notion of “best” varies with the goals and perspective of the different stakeholder groups involved in workers’ compensation systems. However, WCRI researchers have studied many systems over the past two decades and have a unique perspective on this question. At this session, WCRI researchers will draw upon their experience in many states and highlight the system features from one stable and lower cost state (Oregon) that have helped to achieve those results.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON PATTERNS OF MEDICAL CARE FOR BACK PAIN?  Back conditions are the most common source of workers’ compensation claims. Yet identical workers often receive very different medical care. As part of a series of studies seeking to understand whether the differences in care produce differences in worker outcomes, WCRI has quantified the patterns of care delivered to workers with back conditions. At this session, we premiere the preliminary results showing what are the most common patterns of care. Then several physicians discuss and debate the merits of these different approaches to care.

RETURN-TO-WORK PROGRAMS: EVIDENCE OF A WIN-WIN SOLUTION.  Some of the best interventions result in improved outcomes for injured workers and lower costs for employers—a true “win-win.” Return-to-work programs have tremendous potential to achieve this. In this session, a large multi-state state employer presents evidence of the win-win that the company achieved. The intervention is discussed, their results achieved presented, the process of measuring results outlined, and the implementation challenges identified.

HEAD GAMES: RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE PREVALENCE AND CONSEQUENCES OF CONCUSSIONS.  Evidence is emerging that repetitive head trauma, like that which arises in contact sports and potentially other activities that we, our employees, or our loved ones engage in, may lead to long term functional impairments that are more common and have more serious consequences than previously appreciated. In this session, Chris Nowinski will present evidence from his research and others on this public health issue that is receiving growing attention in the media and medical community.  Mr. Nowinski has been a frequent guest on CNN, Nightline, National Public Radio, ESPN, and other public affairs programs. He is President of the Sports Legacy Institute and consultant at Trinity Partners, author of the book Head Games, and also a former Harvard University football player and WWE professional wrestler.

TENNESSEE PPD BENEFIT CHANGES: EARLY EVIDENCE ON THE IMPACT.  Prior to 2004, the average permanent partial disability (PPD) payment was the highest among the states studied by WCRI. This was partly the result of a benefit structure that awarded much higher PPD benefits than other states for workers who returned to work at the same employer and same pay. In 2004, the legislature reduced the benefit for those workers. WCRI researchers present results that examine evidence on the early effects of this legislative change.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS A LARGE CHANGE IN A FEE SCHEDULE? In 2003, the Florida legislature made very large changes in the fee schedule amounts. WCRI studies had shown that prices paid to physicians were much lower than Medicare rates in Florida and in most other state workers’ compensation fee schedules. Conventional wisdom, confirmed by other WCRI studies, showed that Florida workers reported sub-par access to care and poorer outcomes than workers in other states studied. The legislative goal was to raise prices paid to physicians to improve access to care. Since other WCRI studies showed that prices paid to hospitals for outpatient services were unusually high, the legislature sought to finance part of the increase to physicians by lowering prices paid for certain hospital outpatient services. In this session, WCRI researchers premiere the results of the study that quantifies the impact of these changes on costs, access to care, and worker outcomes (e.g., return to work, recovery of health and function, and satisfaction with care).

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

The Details

DATES AND LOCATION:

October 24-25, 2007
Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers
64 Arlington Street
Boston Massachusetts 
Telephone: 617-426-2000

TIMES:

Registration begins at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 24. Conference hours are from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday and from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 25.

A reception and dinner will begin at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 24.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:

WCRI has arranged for a special conference rate of $195 per night (single or double occupancy) at The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers. To make reservations contact the hotel at 617-426-2000. When making reservations, please ask for the Workers Compensation Research Institute block. Reservation requests received after Monday, October 1, 2007, will be accepted on a space- and rate- available basis only. Please make your reservations early. The

rooms available at the conference rate are limited and may sell out before October 1. 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

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 October 24, and lunch on October 25. The registration fee is refundable less a $50 processing fee with a written cancellation notification until October 12. No cancellations after October 12. Substitutions are permitted. Registration confirmation will be sent electronically for all registrants paid before October 15.

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.