Schedule of Events (as of August 5, 2011)

Key:
Denotes Centennial Programming

Tour of Wisconsin State Capital
Appreciate the history and experience the beauty of the Wisconsin State Capitol during this free tour! (Reservations required)

Joint Committee Council meets with Executive Committee

Research and Standards Committee
Compliance Committee
Disability Management and Return to Work Committee

Commissioners Roundtable

Administrators, commissioners and senior managers will learn about issues, trends and challenges facing jurisdictions’ around the world.

Insurance and Self Insurance Committee

Associate Members & Commissioners Forum

A unique opportunity for open dialogue between regulators and the regulated. Get an overview of legislative changes across North America and voice concerns to address in the future.

President’s Reception Honoring the Workers’ Compensation Centennial: University of Wisconsin Memorial Union

April 11, 1911 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

Step into history and hear the heated rhetoric between labor and management leaders as they debated this pioneering social insurance program. Understand the key issues 100 years ago and look for parallels into today’s labor relations. How do contemporary workers’ compensation systems live up to the great compromise?

Opening Remarks: Celebrating 100 Years of Workers’ Compensation in the United States

Speakers: Alan McClain, IAIABC President and

John Metcalf, Administrator, Wisconsin Division of Workers’ Compensation

August 24, 2011 (Madison, Wisconsin)

Speakers: Professor John Burton, Rutgers University and Dr. Gregory Krohm, Executive Director, IAIABC

Hear an impassioned pointer/counterpoint argument from two workers’ compensation thought-leaders, Professor John Burton and Dr. Gregory Krohm. These leaders will debate the erosion of workers’ compensation protections today and identify systemic issues that will impact its future.

2015 (Washington, DC)

 The 1972 National Commission had a profound impact on state workers’ compensation systems. The establishment of a five-member commission in 2015 provides an opportunity for national dialogue on improving the U.S. workers’ compensation system. Stakeholder groups, including labor advocates, business leaders, occupational medical providers, payers, attorneys, researchers, etc. will testify on the need for system improvements and appointed Commissioners will ask probing questions about the motivations and potential consequences of these changes.  

EDI XML/Systems Committee

Break

Realizing a Better Workers’ Compensation System Through Harmonization of State Administration:

Speaker: Representative George Keiser, North Dakota, President of NCOIL

Throughout our history, IAIABC members and leaders have recognized the value of adopting common standards and procedures, but states still have wildly different administrative processes and reporting requirements. Many would argue that current state systems present an unnecessary burden on individuals doing business in multiple states. Hear fresh perspectives on enhancing state workers’ compensation systems to increase efficiencies and reduce cost. 

Northeast States Regional Breakfast (Invitation Only) 

Creating a Culture of Safety and Prevention (General Track)

Speakers: Julian Barling, Associate Dean, School of Business, Queens University

One of the key goals in early workers’ compensation systems was the promotion of safer workplaces. Although health and safety has been impacted greatly over the past century by new research, regulatory strategies and technology, the incidence of work place injuries continues to be a significant issue in many jurisdictions. In order to achieve long term success, attitudes towards the prevention of injury must change and embraced as the responsibility of everyone. During this session, examine new tools and techniques to create attitudinal change toward health and safety. Information from the session can be used to change attitudes and behavior within your organization or shared with other stakeholders to create system-wide change.

Modernization Projects: How They Can Transform Your Workers’ Compensation Operations (Regulation Track) 

Moderator: Adam Hofheimer, Director of State and Local Government, CapTech Ventures, Inc.
Speakers: Matt Bryant, Principal, Strata Consulting

Elizabeth Crum, Deputy-Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industries

William Zachry, Safeway

Comparing Apples and Oranges: A Primer on Inter-jurisdictional Comparisons (General Track)

Speakers: Terry Bogyo, Director of Corporate Planning & Development, WorkSafeBC
Michael Manley, Research Coordinator, Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services
Glenn Shor, Special Assistant, Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Workers’ compensation administrators are often faced with defending the performance of their system when reports are released indicating their jurisdiction “has high costs” or “receives a D for benefit levels.” When taken out of context, these comparative reports can results in intense scrutiny or even reactionary reforms. Hear the different ways workers’ compensation systems can be benchmarked and learn about the strengths and weaknesses of commonly referenced comparative reports. The insightful commentary will help you get passed the headlines and understand the value, merit and limitations of benchmarking system performance.

Human and Financial Consequences of Drug Abuse in Workers’ Compensation (Medical Track)

Speakers: Joseph Paduda, Health Strategies Associates
Dr. Thomas F. Jan, DO, FAOCPMR, DAAPM, DABAM, Medical Director, Opioid Overdose Prevention Program, Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

Narcotics abuse impacts a small fraction of workers’ compensation claims but it can have enormous personal and financial consequences. Hear the latest research findings on narcotic costs and indicators of abusive overutilization. Understand the role treating physicians play in appropriately prescribing and monitoring these powerful drugs and learn what steps regulators have taken to control this growing problem.  

The Cost Containment Solution: Incentive Programs to Support High Quality Medical Care (Regulation Track)

Speakers: Greg Krohm, IAIABC

Paul Papanek,

Glenn Boyle, HSI

Workers’ compensation systems need to develop delivery systems that support and incent high quality medical care. Identify key elements to identifying quality providers, hear examples of successful incentive programs and understand how national health delivery trends will impact workers’ compensation.

How to Use Medical Data in Workers’ Compensation Regulation (Regulation Track)

Moderator: Janet Jamieson, Physical Medicine Research Institute

Colin Turner, Information Systems Analyst, Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division

Todd Brown, Practice Leader, EK Health

Large amounts of transactional medical data is being collected and studied by many public entities. Explore the purpose of medical data calls and understand the methods used to study it. Learn how data is collected, checked and analyzed. Hear about research reports and how they are used to inform public policy debate. 

Industry Insights: Lessons Learned from the First 100 Years (General Track)

Moderator: Kathy Muedder, Vice President, Travelers Insurance

Speakers: Donald DeCarlo, Esq., Chairman & President, AMCOMP
Richard Palczinski, Founder & Principal, SeaTower Consulting

Tim Wisecarver, President, Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau

Are Medical Treatment Guidelines Reliable and Effective in Ensuring High Quality Medical Care (Medical Track)

Treatment guidelines have become a popular weapon in the medical cost containment arsenal. Understand how treatment guidelines are developed using evidence-based medicine and examine their impact on the workers’ compensation system. Hear how they are used and referenced by physicians, payers, attorneys, administrative law judges and more!

In Session: A Look at Attorney’s in Workers’ Compensation Disputes (Regulation Track)
Speaker: Brian May, Director, Missouri Department of Workers’ Compensation, Walter Thurow, Wisconsin Division of Workers’ Compensation, Bogdan Savych, WCRI

While many are critical of attorney involvement in US workers’ compensation systems, there are vigorous advocates who believe attorneys provide an essential measure of worker protection and equity. This session will focus on ways attorney involvement can be channeled to only the most appropriate cases. Presenters will examine state law and procedures that promote and inhibit unnecessary litigation and alternative dispute resolution measures that provide value.

Closing Session: External Forces Impacting the Future of Workers’ Compensation

Speakers: H. Allan Hunt, Senior Economist, Upjohn Institute
Professor Corliss Olson, Director, University of Wisconsin School for Workers  
Mark Walls, Assistant Vice President – Claims, Safety National

Annual Convention Closing Reception

Annual Banquet & Dance at Monona Terrace