WCRI's 26th ANNUAL ISSUES & RESEARCH CONFERENCE

January 12, 2010  for Eastern and Central time zone states
January 14, 2010  for Mountain and Pacific time zone states

THE IMPACT OF THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN ON WORKERS’  COMPENSATION SYSTEMS 

This year, we are bringing our Annual Issues & Research Conference closer to you in the form of an interactive, multi-site video conference! Instead of traveling to Boston, you will be able to participate from one of 14 sites located throughout the U.S.   

At this one-day conference:

- Hear from experts at your location PLUS other locations

 -  Lively Q&A involving all locations 

    -  New WCRI studies plus commentary by leading practitioners

January 12 Program                                  January 14 Program
 

Program: January 12

Dr. Richard Victor, The Forces Shaping Our Future      

Eliminating Unnecessary Prescriptions

• Dongchun Wang, Economist, WCRI
• PBM: Tron Emptage, EVP, Business Development, Progressive Medical, Inc.
• Physician: Dr. John Anderson, Concentra

Eliminating Unnecessary Litigation

• Dr. Richard Victor, Executive Director, WCRI
• Workers’ attorney: Gary Gober, Gober Law Firm
• Defense attorney: Christopher J. Gibbons, Shareholder, Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry, P.C.

Reflections on Recent Reforms

• Ramona Tanabe, Deputy Director and Counsel, WCRI

Rationalizing Hospital Price Regulation

• Dr. Nicole Coomer, Economist, WCRI
• Regulator: Amy Lee, Special Deputy Commissioner, Policy and Research, Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation
• Hospital: Linwood Jones, North Carolina Hospital Association

Workers’ Compensation and Recession-induced Fear of Being Fired

• Dr. Bogdan Savych, Public Policy Analyst, WCRI

Regional Panels: The short and long term impact of this recession

Northeastern Region:  Hartford, NYC Metro, Philadelphia, DC Metro 

• State workers’ compensation agencies: Elizabeth Crum, Deputy Secretary for Compensation and Insurance

• Legislative and public priorities: Clifford Leach, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel of Government Affairs, the Hartford Financial Services Group
• Claim mix and claims organizations: Vincent Armentano, Senior Vice President, Commercial Lines Claim, The Travelers Companies, Inc.
• Medical care, medical management, and medical providers: Debra Hochron, Chubb & Son

Southern Region:  Atlanta, Austin, Nashville, Orlando

• State workers' compensation agencies: James Neeley, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development
• Legislative and public priorities: Ray Farmer, Assistant Vice President Southeast Region, American Insurance Association
• Claim mix and claims organization: Michele Adams, Director of Claims Management, Walt Disney World
• Medical Care, medical management, and medical providers: Donald Hurter, Senior Vice President, Chartis Insurance

 Midwest Region:  Chicago Metro, Detroit Metro

• State workers' compensation agencies: Jack Nolish, Director, Michigan Workers' Compensation Agency
• Legislative and public priorities: Charles Burhan, Assistant Vice President and Regional Public Affairs Manager, Liberty Mutual Group
• Claim mix and claims organizations: John Smolk, Manager, Workers' Compensation Programs, United Airlines, Inc.
• Medical care, medical management, and medical provider: Dr. Nina McIlree, Medical Director, Zurich Claims Services

Program: January 14  

Dr. Richard Victor, The Forces Shaping Our Future      

Eliminating Unnecessary Prescriptions

• Dongchun Wang, Economist, WCRI
• PBM: Michael McQuilken, PMSI
• Physician: Dr. Gideon Letz, California State Compensation Insurance Fund

Eliminating Unnecessary Litigation

• Dr. Richard Victor, Executive Director, WCRI
• Workers’ attorney: Adam Dombchik, President, California Applicants' Attorneys Association
• Defense attorney: Norin Grancell, Grancell, Lebovitz, Stander, Barnes and Reubens

Reflections on Recent Reforms

• Ramona Tanabe, Deputy Director and Counsel, WCRI

Rationalizing Hospital Price Regulation

• Dr. Nicole Coomer, Economist, WCRI
• Regulator: Mary Baronowski, Paradigm
• Hospital: Dr. Robert Mecklenberg, Virginia Mason Hospital

Workers’ Compensation and Recession-induced Fear of Being Fired

• Dr. Bogdan Savych, Public Policy Analyst, WCRI

Regional Panels: The short and long term impact of this recession

Western Region: Denver, Los Angeles Metro, San Francisco Metro, Seattle Metro

• State workers’ compensation agencies: John L. Shilts, Oregon Workers' Compensation Division

• Legislative and public priorities: William Zachary, Safeway
• Claim mix and claims organizations: Dan O'Neil, Pinnacol
• Medical care, medical management, and medical providers: Dr. Kathryn Mueller, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

CONTINUING EDUCATION

The conference is approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit for Certified Workers' Compensation Professional (CWCP), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS), Certified Case Manager (CCM), and Washington CLE.