Overview:
This intense educational program will be presented to physicians, claims adjusters and attorneys on how to obtain "substantial evidence' on a variety of medical issues. Instructors will provide road maps and practical checklists for navigating through all of the new code sections, regulations and case law Post SB 863. The course will cover all aspects of legal issues, including:

- The efficacy of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM)
- Use of the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS
- Utilization review (UR)
- Independent medical review (IMR)
- New rules for MPNs
- AME/QME issues, including new QME regulations and SB 863 perimeters for medical legal reports.

Bonus Segment:
An additional one-hour session has been added to include tips  on handling doctors'  depositions from both the legal and medical practitioner's perspective.

Who Should Enroll:
Attorneys, Physicians and Claims Adjusters; all will gain greater insight as what  constitutes substantial evidence from a judge's perspective on all of the above issues. Plus:

- Medical report do's and don'ts
- Litigation tips and strategies
- Case law update
- Tips on Panel QMEs (and additional panels)
- Ethical issues & ex parte communications

Overview:

WorkCompCentral has partnered with Randy Pollak, Managing Attorney at Wintersteen & Casarez (WC Law Corp.), to bring you this three-part webinar series where he will touch on important topics, such as: Fundamentals of Securing Work Comp Coverage, The Employer Bill of Rights and Good Faith Claims Handling, The Work Comp Policy and its Endorsements.

Series Topics:

Part 1: The Fundamentals of Securing Work Comp Coverage – What Can Possibly Go Wrong?

Learn the essential features of how employers secure workers’ compensation coverage and how there are pitfalls everywhere. In this presentation, the attendee will learn the “ins and outs” of general/special employer relationships, Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), and what happens when things go wrong and UEF and CIGA start knocking at your door.

Part 2: The Employer Bill of Rights and Good Faith Claims Handling – How To Not Get Sued

Learn the essential responsibilities of the insurance company to their insured employer. In this presentation, the attendee will learn the answers to the following questions: What information is the employer entitled to? What about HIPPA limitations? What is the appropriate way to set reserves?  How do you avoid getting sued by the employer for bad faith claims handling?

Part 3: The Work Comp Policy and its Endorsements -  How to Correctly Exclude Certain Employees

Did you know that the insurance company can exclude certain employees from coverage under the policy? In this training the attendee will learn the ins and outs of how that is done via exclusionary endorsements. Errors are commonly committed with these, and this training will show how they can be avoided, or if you are in litigation, what to argue so you can have a favorable outcome.

Instructor:

Randy Pollak, Esq. - Managing Attorney of the Southern CA Practice, Wintersteen | Casarez

Overview:
This webinar will help demystify the confusion about under which Fee Schedule different services fall. Session one will help you understand which Fee Schedule to use at any given time.

About the Presenter:
Sue Honor-Vangerov is the Managing Attorney for the lien unit at Floyd Skeren & Kelly. Sue, formerly Medical Unit manager for the California Division of Worker's Compensation, is a recognized subject matter expert in California medical billing, fee schedule and lien matters.


Enroll in the series of 3 for $199. Please call to purchase or follow this link: https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/854

Overview:
This webinar will help demystify the confusion about under which Fee Schedule different services fall. Session one will help you understand which Fee Schedule to use at any given time.

About the Presenter:
Sue Honor-Vangerov is the Managing Attorney for the lien unit at Floyd Skeren & Kelly. Sue, formerly Medical Unit manager for the California Division of Worker's Compensation, is a recognized subject matter expert in California medical billing, fee schedule and lien matters.

Enroll in the series of 3 for $199. Please call to purchase or follow this link: https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/854

Overview:
Session three covers the different techniques needed to streamline the process and help ensure correct payments.

About the Presenter:
Sue Honor-Vangerov is the Managing Attorney for the lien unit at Floyd Skeren & Kelly. Sue, formerly Medical Unit manager for the California Division of Worker's Compensation, is a recognized subject matter expert in California medical billing, fee schedule and lien matters.

Enroll in the series of 3 for $199. Please call to purchase or follow this link: https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/854

Overview:

PART 1:
"Picking the Right Fee Schedule: Resolving the Usage Confusion - Part (1/3)"
This session will help demystify the confusion about under which Fee Schedule different services fall. Session one will help you understand which Fee Schedule to use at any given time.

PART 2:
"New Fee Schedule, New Problems. What Went Wrong in 2014 - Part (2/3)"
Session two discusses the areas of trouble, now that the new Fee Schedule has been in place for several months. What are providers doing wrong? In what ways are payers not being compliant?

PART 3:
"Navigating the 2014 Billing Game: Essential Tools & Solutions - Part (3/3)"
Session three covers the different techniques needed to streamline the process and help ensure correct payments.


About the Presenter:
Sue Honor-Vangerov is the Managing Attorney for the lien unit at Floyd, Skeren & Kelly. Sue, formerly Medical Unit manager for the California Division of Worker's Compensation, is a recognized subject matter expert in California medical billing, fee schedule and lien matters.

Register:
Series of 3 for only $179.
Individual sessions are $69 each, when purchased a-la-carte.

Overview:
The California non-attorney Hearing Representative is expected to know how to prepare for and put on a case before a Workers' Compensation Judge. This professional training day will instruct hearing representatives (working for applicants, defendants and lien claimants)  in professional standards and conduct, legal basics, DWC forms and procedures, petitions, liens, preparing for hearings - both conferences and trials. The panel will also discuss the applicability of these items to specific cases.

Topics:
- Preparing for Hearings (conferences and trials)
- Professional Standards and Conduct
- DWC Forms and Procedures
- Case Review
- Legal Basics
- Petitions
- Liens

Who Should Enroll:
Any non-attorney who appears at a DWC District office (board): hearing representatives both applicant and defense, lien hearing representatives, lien claimants, paralegals, legal secretaries, law school students, law firm interns, claims adjusters, TPAs, employers or HR professionals, self-insureds, program managers and claims analysts for brokers.

Presenters:
Judge Janet Coulter, Long Beach DWC
Judge Alan Skelly, Anaheim DWC
Steve Hoffman, Hearing Representative at Mullen & Fillipi

Join Michael Stack as he presents this interactive course on the Workers' Compensation system.

Our program is intended to give 6 hours of foundational insight to those new to the industry. Employers, Insurance Brokers, and Claims Professionals can be sure to take away some useful information and hidden strategies.

The workers' compensation system is complex and foreign to many. Professionals are often thrown into a position in the workers’ comp industry and are told to “take care of it” or simply “to figure it out.” This scenario is all too common and leads to years of frustration and poor results without a knowledgeable source to provide a roadmap to workers’ compensation success.

The Workers' Comp Newcomers Course is used as mandatory onboarding of new hires including risk managers, safety professionals supervisors, and vendors to get up to speed on workers’ compensation very quickly. Many stakeholders are responsible for some aspect of workers’ compensation or disability leave, and need to understand more about workers’ compensation cost containment methodology.

Vendors such as doctors, investigation firms, law firms, medical management vendors and triage companies also  learn how their services might fit into the workers’ compensation marketplace. They learn what is important to employers, and what they look for in vendor relationships.

Course Details:

• Module 1

  A Comprehensive introductory course, students with little to no experience in workers’ compensation will be prepared to make an immediate impact on employer’s work comp costs.
   

  Module 2

  Building on the foundation laid in Module 1, Module 2 dives further into the fundamental concepts and techniques for workers’ compensation cost containment.  Implementation of the concepts and techniques will achieve the desired workers’ compensation goals of reduced costs and improved injured worker outcomes. 

  In this module you will learn to:

  • Identify the four most common reasons why workers’ comp costs get out of control
  • Describe the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved in workers’ compensation
  • Properly complete a First Report of Injury and describe it’s importance to the claim
  • Identify common obstacles a company will face when implementing or reforming a work comp management program
  • Avoid common mistakes that increase work comp costs and cause poor injured worker outcomes.

   

  Module 3

  The success or failure of a work comp management program is defined by the impact of improvements on an organization.  In this module students will learn how to define the scoreboard with specific metrics, as well as tell the story of the meaning behind the numbers. 

  In this module you will learn to:

  • Calculate the minimum experience mod and express the meaning for an organization
  • Make an immediate impact on workers’ comp claim costs with the Unit Statistical Date
  • Overcome workers’ comp viewed just as a cost of doing business
  • Gain management buy-in to the understand value of return to work
  • Leverage leading and lagging indicators to accurately assess program progress

   

  Module 4

  A common statement regarding workers’ compensation is “I hope we have a good year”, or “we’ve been lucky / unlucky the last couple years.” The reality is hoping for good luck has very little to do with workers’ compensation success or failure.  Workers’ comp success is driven by a comprehensive systematic approach to injury management. This session will cover 12 proven tactics used by best-in-class work comp management programs.

  In this module you will learn to:

  • Prioritize the sequence of implementation of work comp management improvements
  • Identify 1 or 2 tactics which will bring immediate work comp results for you 
  • Leverage the service of third-party vendors to accelerate results
  • Systematically communicate with injured workers’ and the claims handling team
  • Leverage and coordinate the strengths of the work comp claims handling team
  • And more…

Overview:
Sue Honor-Vangerov and Dr. Julie Armstrong partner to provide an all-new Billing seminar for Psychology professionals, providers and billers.

In this course, the participant will learn how to properly bill psychological services, including both treatment and Medical-Legal patients.

Discussion:
- What is the problem with bill review?
- Are there limits on psych testing time?
- Can I bill for extended face-to-face time?
- What reports are separately reimbursable?
- How do I properly code and bill for my services?
- When can I expect reimbursement for record review in a case I am treating?
- What are my remedies when I’m not paid correctly for treatment? For a QME?
- Can I be paid if the injured worker doesn’t show up for treatment? For a QME?

Who Should Enroll:
Physicians and payers, including medical staff, office billers, claims adjusters, medical bill reviewers, self-administered self-insureds, claims consultants, risk managers, and attorneys.

Presenters:
Sue Honor-Vangerov is the Managing Attorney for the lien unit at Floyd, Skeren & Kelly. Sue, formerly Medical Unit manager for the California Division of Worker's Compensation, is a recognized subject matter expert in California medical billing, fee schedule and lien matters.

Dr. Julie Armstrong, Psy.D, is a QME who performs psychology evaluations regularly as a panel or agreed evaluator. Julie is also a registered nurse and clinical nurse specialist, and worked for 13 years at UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Hospital. (For fun she is a psychology expert on Investigation Discovery's "Wicked Attractions," explaining the psychological underpinnings of murderous behavior in cases of perpetrators who work in pairs.) To view her website: www.psydocs.net

**This course is the 1st part of a 2-part series. To enroll in part 2, please follow this link: https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/865

Discussion:
Collection of Evidence and Pre-Trial Issues

- Workers’ Comp Regulations Checklist & Cheat Sheet
- MT issues
- UR & IMR traps for the unwary
- How to bullet proof MT requests
- New MTUS regulations
- Discovery Issues - Lots of gotchas
- Privilege, Privacy and Reliable Precedent
- What to Cite and when to cite it
- How to avoid sanctionable conduct
- Success at the Expedited Hearing
- Selection criteria for accepting a case
- Intake process
- Preparation of the pleadings and any amended claim forms
- Supervision of MT inside and outside the WC system
- Evidence Based Medicine
- When to file an expedited hearing and why
- Developing important issues early in the case (occ group, wages - TTD rate)
- What to consider before filing the DOR and what to say in DORs
- Tips for evaluating strength of your case prior to trial (settle v. proceeding to trial)
- Preparing potential defense witnesses
   a. identifying potential witnesses
   b. interviewing potential witnesses
   c. subpoenaing witnesses for trial
- Preparing a defense to an expedited hearing
- Objections to DORs

Depositions

- Mock example of doctor's depo - (including medical issue "cheat sheet"):
- what to ask
- what to avoid
- How to get the answers you need for your client;
- How to ask the right AMA Guides question
- Preparing the Applicant
- Preparing yourself
- Preparing for doctor depos (yours vs. theirs)
- What is a catastrophic injury?
- Is medical condition ratable under Cannon?
- Do you need a depo? 
- When should you consider scheduling the depo in the case?
- Should you have an employer witness present at the repo?
- How to address objections to questions at the time of repo?
- How to get the most out of a doctor depo.

Instructors:
Hon. Colleen Casey
Robert Rassp
Sean Hermanson

Who Should Enroll:
Advanced and Novice applicants’ attorneys, defense attorneys, paralegals, consultants, anyone who appears at the WCAB.

Part 2: https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/865

Overview:

In this session, we will focus on back and spine injuries and when to engage the appropriate medical and pain management providers when conservative recovery is not going as expected. 

Our discussion will include the mechanism of injury, clinical presentation, and decision-making regarding treatment and expectations. When would it be most beneficial to refer to pain management? All treatment modalities, from conservative to surgical to pharmaceutical intervention, will consider the psychosocial and co-morbid factors of the individual and how this may impact recovery. 

The course will discuss return to work, including restrictions, work tasks, and common jobs that may accommodate the injured worker's needs.
 

Program Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session the participant will be able to:

1. Recognize mechanism of injury to the back & spine:
   1. Review anatomy: normal function vs. compromised function from injury
   2. Describe the common clinical symptoms presenting with these injuries?  Discuss objective vs. subjective findings
   3. Discuss pre-existing conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart conditions 
   4. How to differentiate between findings of acute injury vs. degenerative conditions 
   5. Review what diagnostics tests are most commonly used, what indications determine when testing should be ordered, discuss most common findings
   6. Describe what would determine a conservative course of treatment versus surgical treatment and timelines for these decisions including co-morbid factors, such as obesity, degenerative joint disease, hypertension, diabetes, depression and other mental health issues, previous injury.
   7. What does “success” look like in terms of pain, function, return to work and expectation
   8. Explain consideration for early referral to pain management, when it appears the treatment is not progressing as expected (non-surgical to surgical) and how do you work with this specialist to offer the most benefit and chance for success to the injured worker
2. Review basics of pain management
   1. Review the physician specialties that focus on pain management and when to consider early pain management intervention
   2. Discuss details of determining treatment and expectation
   3. Explain impact of factors such as mental health concerns, malingering, and fear and how these might be addressed
   4. Detail common treatment modalities and expected outcome, what does success look like? Pharmacological, interventional, biofeedback, other 
3. Recognize the obstacles and difficulties in handling these complex cases
4. How do you determine success or failure in these cases?

Instructors:

Laura Gorman
Susan Emerson
Lee A. Kelley, M.D.
Randy F. Rizor, M.D.

Overview:
This training is designed to give the attendee a strong and thorough background in California’s complex Workers’ Compensation system. You will learn what happens to an injured worker at every step of the process: from injury to medical treatment to medical/legal issues, disability issues, and then return to work.

Curriculum was originally intended as background information for doctors who are preparing to register for the QME Exam Prep Seminar, but it is an excellent overview for all industry professionals: especially those new to workers compensation.

The instructors are two of the most knowledgeable and sought after speakers in the industry: Honorable Myrle Petty (WCAB in San Bernardino), and the Honorable Jamie Spitzer, Presiding Judge (WCAB Anaheim).

Learning Objectives:

 - Overview of Jurisdiction/Employment
 - Proof of Injury: what is needed from a Drs. Report to prove a Continuous Trauma Injury
 - PD
- Apportionment
- Medical Treatment Issues
- Treatment Control:
     - MPN
     - UR
     - IMR
- CA WC History
- Effective Laws for Dates of Injury
- Recent Reforms for All Dates of Injury
- Adjudicating Threshold Issues
- Trauma Injuries: Definitions of Specific and Cumulative
- Reporting of Injuries
- Forms Overview
- Discovery:
    - Subpoenas
    - Depositions
    - Sub Rosa
    - Petitions
- Med-Legal Process:
    - AME
    - QME
- Additional Panels
- Substantial Evidence
- Apportionment
- Settlement options and Strategies
- Trial
- Recons
- Removals
- Liens

Presenters:
Presiding Judge Jamie Spitzer, Anaheim WCAB
Hon. Myrle Petty, San Bernardino WCAB
 

Overview:
Are you prepared for the changes to outpatient facility payments? This class will discuss the new regulations which change how outpatient facility services will be paid. Join Suzanne Honor -Vangerov for this webinar that covers this fee schedule for dates of service both before and after the effective date of the new regulations.

Who Should Enroll:
Physicians and payers, including medical staff, office billers, claims adjusters, medical bill reviewers, self-administered self-insureds, claims consultants, risk managers, attorneys, lien representatives.
 

Overview:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2.8 million non-fatal, recordable, injuries and illnesses in the US in 2019.  Work-related injuries result in multiple days of lost productivity, which translates into lost revenue for employers, workers, families, and the larger community. Most injuries, particularly musculoskeletal injuries, have a defined time course for recovery. While many workers return to work within a reasonable time frame, managing workers who do not wish to return to work quickly can be challenging. 

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will know how to: 

• identify the recognized time course for most work-related injuries
• recognize the barriers to recovery during the occupational medicine clinical encounter
• implement communication techniques for sharing the expectations for recovery and the return-to-work timeline with injured workers

 

Instructor:

Dr. Leslie Cadet - Medical Director, Employee Health - Loma Linda University Health

Overview:

Part 1: Missed part 1? Enroll here: https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/864

Discussion:
Mandatory Settlement Conference and Trial

- Closure of Discovery
   a. LC 5502(d)(3)) v. WCJ's duty to develop the Record
   b. McDuffie vs. McKearnan issues
   c. Discovery cut off vs. Kuykendall
- Tips for writing trial briefs
- How to bullet proof medical reports to ensure they = substantial evidence?
- Tips for filing the DOR
- Checklists for MSC
- MSC Statement "Stips and Issues"
- Should IW testify or not?
- Did MPN doc or QME or AME review 4605 doctor reports and records?
- The importance of information listed/included on Stips and Issues
- Traps to avoid when filling out Stips and Issues
- Objecting to evidence listed on Stips and Issues
- Proceeding to trial from an AOE/COE priority conference

Post-Trial Issues

- Preparing successful appeals
- When and if a party should appeal the following:
   a. UR decision
   b. IMR eligibility
   c. IMR determination
   d. F&A
   e. WCAB decision
   f. DCA opinion
- Filing a writ with the DCA
- Petitions for Recon, the care and feeding of an appeal of a final order -time limits, form, and content.
- Should you be filing a Petition for Recon or Removal?
- Deadlines for filing
- What to include in your Recons
- Tips to avoid being sanctioned when filing a Recon

Instructors:
Hon. Colleen Casey
Robert Rassp
Sean Hermanson

Who Should Enroll:
Advanced and Novice applicants’ attorneys, defense attorneys, paralegals, consultants, anyone who appears at the WCAB.
 

Overview:

Overview:

New! Our 20 Tips Claims Series is designed especially for workers’ compensation claims professionals. This webinar includes a fast-paced panel discussion offering practical tips to help claims professionals become more effective at managing workers’ compensation claims. The panel will offer helpful tips you can implement immediately.

Program Learning Objectives:

• Essential tips and best pratices from experienced workers' compensation claims professionals.
• Practical tooks and resources to help you become more effective at handling workers' comp claims.
• Strategies you can use at your desk and establish right away.

These panelists will offer a fun, engaging, and fast-paced hour full of practical tools and strategies work comp claims professionals can put to use the same day. Attendees will learn useful tips and best practices focused on where and how to focus your efforts during the first 90 days of a claim. 

Did you know? According to Alan Pierce, J.D. – Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano (and recipient of the 2019 Comp Laude® Award in the Applicant Attorney category), here are the top 10 reasons injured workers retain an attorney:

1. Claim is denied
2. Lack of contact by employer/carrier
3. Overbearing and/or intrusive contact by the employer
4. Bills go unpaid, prescriptions not reimbursed, or check is late
5. Attorney advertisement or solicitation
6. The advice of friends, family, or medical provider
7. Lack of modified duty work options, employer harassment after return to work
8. Worker/employer dissatisfaction
9. Loss of health insurance or other benefits
10. An accident that was easily avoidable (lack of safety training, accident prevention)

Get ready to learn from these experienced workers’ comp claims professionals. Send your questions ahead of time for the panel to: education@workcompcentral.com 

Instructors:

Eddy Canavan - Alta Claims & Insurance Services
Sarah Cato - Rubios, Director of Risk Management
Sheri Lawrence - SoCalGas, Disability Risk and Leadership Professional
Rafael Gonzalez, Esq. - Cattie & Gonzalez

Overview:

As part of North Carolina’s June 24, 2011, Legislative Reform, the indemnity benefits to which an injured worker, who was not statutorily defined as permanently and totally disabled, may receive for injuries occurring on or after June 24, 2011, is capped at or limited to 500 weeks from the date of first disability.  However, NCGS 97-29(c), the governing statutory provision, does provide that the injured worker has the ability to petition the Industrial Commission for extended compensation in excess of the 500-week limitation, starting first when 425 weeks have passed since the date of first disability.
 
August 16, 2019, will be 425 weeks from June 24, 2011, meaning that the claims of injured workers which arise on June 24, 2011, and thereafter, will begin to become ripe for injured workers to petition the North Carolina Industrial Commission for extended compensation.  
 
NCGS 97-29(c) provides that the injured employee has the burden to prove by the preponderance of the evidence, unless agreed to by the parties, that he has sustained “a total loss of wage-earning capacity.” 
 
As the time frame for first filing for extended compensation only occurs this Friday, there are many questions yet to be answered concerning how the injured worker will successfully carry his/her burden of proof; how an employer may rebut/contradict a “total loss of wage-earning capacity”; and whether indemnity benefits will unilaterally stop once the 500-week limitation has been reached.

Overview:

WorkCompCentral is excited to offer a program led by Judge Colleen Casey of the San Francisco board, Eric Ledger (AA) and Janet Zamecki (DA). This seminar for practitioners of all skill levels will be unlike anything we have offered. Expect our seasoned instructors to provide you with a hands-on, walk-through style program featuring the full array of forms, petitions, motions and responses utilized in today's Post SB863 workers' comp arena.

Attendees will be provided with sample forms from the most basic to the most archaic to illustrate best practices, i.e. what form or petition to use and when to use it. This will include examples of how best to draft documents for optimum success, as well as a "heads up" on the glitches and gotchas that permeate the system. Proposed Orders will also be an integral part of the event.

Seminar Itinerary:

1. All forms related to Medical Treatment and Med-Legal Evaluation (including UR and IMR)
2. Pre-Trial Motions and Responses (including those dealing with ex parte communication, privacy and privilege issues)
3. Trial Documents and Forms (Trial briefs and Lien claim procedures)
4. Post Trial Petitions and Appeals (Recons, Removals & Writs)
5. Miscellaneous Forms (DEU forms, Rating instructions, Petitions to Reopen, etc.)

Instructors:
Hon. Colleen Casey, San Francisco Board
Eric Ledger, applicant attorney
Janet Zamecki, defense attorney
 

 

Overview:
The Uninsured Employer: The Beast that Goes Bump in Everyone’s Night

The tentacles of uninsured status profoundly impact professionals and laypersons alike. Whether you handle workers' compensation or liability litigation, or if you have employed the services of a handyman or household worker, the professional and financial risks of ignorance in this area are simply too high to ignore. Get it wrong and your client loses. Get it wrong and your malpractice carrier loses. Get it wrong and you risk loss of property and life savings.

- Do you practice applicant or defense workers’ compensation law?
- Do you practice tort or liability law?
- Are you an insurance professional, broker, or agent who sells workers compensation or liability lines?
- Do you adjust or manage claims?
- Do you own a home, rent an apartment, or own a business?
- Have you ever used a gardener, handyman, day laborers, contractor, or household worker?

Learning Objectives:

If so, this is a “must see” seminar that will enable you to understand, adapt, and employ strategies to exploit or manage risks cascading from uninsured status. By completion of this seminar, you will:

1. Understand the many shades and tones of intentional and unintentional uninsured status.
2. Learn how uninsured status arises, how to avoid it, and how to drive a stake through its heart.
3. Master secrets, tactics, and strategies for managing uninsured litigation from case opening to case closure.
4. Study the in depth analysis from pre-eminent practitioners (bench and bar) who will discuss and disclose their own approaches, procedures, and methods for managing uninsured employer claims.
5. Review and learn case law that impacts every attorney, carrier, claims professional, and landowner/user.

Presenters:
Honorable David Pollak, Van Nuys Board
Honorable Janet Coulter, Long Beach Board
Nate Halprin, Defense Attorney
Joel Thomas, Applicant Attorney
 

Overview:
This engaging seminar will provide the attendees with the necessary tools for prosecuting and defending denials of Medical Treatment from Utilization Reviews.  

The program will also include discussion of the latest trends of what constitutes a "flawed Utilization Review" under the Dubon WCAB en banc decision and a detailed discussion of the second prong of Dubon - providing medical necessity under the California MTUS. What is the MTUS?  Where do you find it?  How does it work?  Is it in the process of changing?  Get the perspectives from a legal and Judicial point of view.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will learn the specific conditions under which the WCAB retains jurisidiction over medical disputes.
2. Attendees will understand what the MTUS consists of and the resources you need to research medical necessity.
3. Attendees will be walked through the IMR process including appeals of an IMR determination that upholds a UR denial of treatment.
4. Attendees will learn about alternatives to the UR/IMR process.
5. The expert panel will answer any questions about procedures in the UR/MR appeals process.

Presenters:
Honorable David Pollak, Van Nuys Board
Robert Rassp, Applicant Attorney
Frank Christine, Defense Attorney
Dennis Thomas, Applicant Attorney

Overview:

In this webinar, we will review standard terms associated with prosthetics and levels of amputation of the lower limbs. Discuss the timeline for rehabilitation after lower limb amputation. Phases of creating a lower limb prosthetic design, including the evaluation process; interface materials; types of suspension available; categories of prosthetic feet and knees; and additional components incorporated into a prosthesis for maximized user outcomes. At the end of this webinar, participants will understand that lower limb prosthetics are not one size fits all.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize and understand common terms associated with prosthetics
2. Identify the levels of amputation of lower limbs
3. Discuss typical components of a lower limb prosthetic and the basic services and associated L-codes, function, and utilization
4. Discuss demographics of lower limb amputation, trends, contributing medical causes
5. Identify an overall view of rehabilitation:
   1. Providers and roles
   2. Expected outcomes
   3. Various therapy options (in-patient, out-patient, home and telerehab)
   4. Timeline

Instructors:

Laura Gorman, RN - MTI America
Matt Baily - Palm Beach Prosthetics

Overview:

This one-hour session will provide an overview and analysis of recent case law focused on Almaraz/Guzman ratings. Sessions Objectives:

1. Provide a brief overview of Almaraz/Guzman
2. Review current cases pertaining to Almaraz/Guzman case law
3. Provide impairment expert analysis of proper application of the AMA Guides in Almaraz/Guzman cases
4. Provide strategies to ensure proper application of Almaraz/Guzman
    

About the Instructors:
Join President of iRatings, Charles McGhee, alongside Vice President of Customer Relations, Leslie Dilbeck, in this 3-part webinar series covering SB 863, Almaraz/Guzman and Medical Reports.

Enroll in the Series and Save $30!
https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/878#

 

Overview:
This one-hour session is the 1st part of a series of 3 courses, which will provide an in-depth look at how SB863 has impacted permanent disability outcomes and costs in the California Workers’ Compensation system. Session objectives:

1. Identify severity of error rate in impairment ratings
2. Understand monetary impact of errors in impairment ratings
3. Identify common errors in impairment rating
4. Review permanent disability and impairment components of SB863
5. Identify impact of SB863 on permanent disability
6. Overview of comparative analysis of PD values pre-SB863 and post-SB863
7. Review strategies to ensure optimal PD outcomes
    

About the Instructors:
Join President of iRatings, Charles McGhee, alongside Vice President of Customer Relations, Leslie Dilbeck, in this 3-part webinar series covering SB 863, Almaraz/Guzman and Medical Reports.

Enroll in the Series and Save!
https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/878#

Overview:

This one-hour session will focus on reviewing medical reports from a lay-person perspective. Sessions Objectives:

1. Review mandatory requirements for medical reporting
2. Review the AMA Guides requirements for physician reporting
3. Provide a detailed understanding of what constitutes substantial medical evidence
4. Review physician reporting pitfalls
5. Provide strategies for procuring a correcting a deficit medical reporting
    

About the Instructors:
Join President of iRatings, Charles McGhee, alongside Vice President of Customer Relations, Leslie Dilbeck, in this 3-part webinar series covering SB 863, Almaraz/Guzman and Medical Reports.
 

Enroll in the Series and Save $30!
https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/878#

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
The catastrophic loss case is a world populated with high-stakes, mis-takes, and exposures measured in the millions.  Learn the secrets, tips and tactics that demystify the handling of the catastrophic loss case.  Litigators: be prepared when the catastrophic claim shows up on your doorstep.

This seminar will equip attendees with a clear overview of the steps and stages each catastrophic claim predictably follows, and how to comfortably navigate the sometimes sudden and occasionally violent legal twists and turns. Whether you are a claims professional, broker or attorney, learn how to avoid the pitfalls along the path, and confidently achieve satisfactory and successful closure of even the largest claims.

Learning Objectives:
- How to keep a modest claim from blossoming into a catastrophic loss matter--or how to propel it there.
- How to manipulate the Medicare set-aside, life care plan and structured settlement puzzle pieces.
- Understand the jargon and lingo that permeates the catastrophic loss claim.
- How to shepherd  the catastrophic claim toward safe and satisfactory closure--and all the steps along the way.
- Specific language and issues associated with settlement documents and how to prepare them.
- Negotiation secrets to insure a level head while negotiating in the millions.
- Timing and cadence of the claim in order to achieve overall mission readiness.

Instructors:
Nate Halprin, Defense Attorney
Keith More, Applicant Attorney
Pat Farber, Structured Settlement Specialist

Overview:

In this program, Suzanne Honor-Vangerov provides an update for the 2017 Medical Legal Fee Schedule. This course will cover how to properly bill for medical-legal services, the DWC's interpretation of the fee schedule rules, and examine how to make sure billing is compliant. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Execute the proper way to bill for medical-legal services
• Discuss DWC's interpretation of the fee schedule rules
• Make billing is compliant
• Dispute non-payment or underpayment

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructor:

Suzanne Honor-Vangerov

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

In this session, we will discuss a 15-year-old law that consistently confuses and frustrates responsible reporting entities in our industry.

Medicare is about to publish its final regulations on how they will fine you up to $1,000 per day if you do not comply with this law. This rule is expected to be published in February 2023.

Join us to discuss strategies to avoid penalties, specifically how to prevent incurring $1,000 per day per file.


Learning Objectives:

After this webinar, attendees will be able to:

• identify current activities that could lead to fines
• understand what to do to avoid fines
• full comprehension of the MIR reporting requirements
   

Course Relevance:

This course is designed for any workers’ comp professional responsible for Mandatory Insurer Reporting (MIR) or any insurance professional who desires to have a better understanding of Medicare Secondary Payer Compliance issues related to MIR.

Instructors:
 
Rafael Gonzalez, Esq.
Sheri Lawrence - SoCal Gas
Ya’Sheaka Williams - QPWB
Sabrina Taylor Mitchell - PMA Companies

Overview:

Our panel, made up of Medicaid law experts Rafael Gonzalez, Esq. and John Cattie, Esq. will discuss state and federal statutory law, prior case law, and the oral arguments made to the Supreme Court on Monday, January 10, 2022. It will also provide a detailed analysis of the briefs filed by both sides, as well as the various amicus curiae briefs filed by several groups with an interest in this issue, including the United States, American Association for Justice, American Academy of Physician Life Care Planners, National Conference of State Legislators, National League of Cities, US Conference of Mayors, Government Finance Officers Association, as well as 14 US States.

Additional Information:

Although a decision is not expected from the Court until June 2022, with over 83 million Americans receiving Medicaid benefits today, this decision stands to affect 25% of our country’s population, and immediately become one of the most significant cases to be decided by the Supreme Court regarding individuals receiving Medicaid benefits and also involved in a class action, medical malpractice, no-fault, nursing home, personal injury, products liability, workers compensation, and wrongful death litigation. The panel will discuss Federal and Florida Medicaid statutory and case law, Gallardo’s position and offer of $35,367 to resolve the lien, the State of Florida’s position and claim for $300,000 reimbursement, Gallardo’s win at the Federal District Court, Florida’s win at the 11th Circuit Appeals Court, the United States’ position on the litigation, and the oral arguments made at the US Supreme Court.

Excerpted from Rafael Gonzalez, Esq. Linked In Post on 1/11/22:

 

During nearly two hours of oral arguments, the justices wrestled with how broad or limiting various provisions of the Medicaid Act should be read. The provisions prohibit states from imposing a lien on a Medicaid recipient’s property to recover payments they’ve made but also allow states to recover damages from someone who injured a beneficiary.
 

At issue is whether the state’s recoveries are limited to the amount of money allocated in the settlement for past medical expenses.

Join us during this webnar to hear what the Supreme Court Justices had to say during the oral arguments and how it may impact workers' compensation cases.

Instructors:

Rafael Gonzalez, Esq.
John Cattie, Esq.

Overview:

Do you know what makes a consistent psychological PQME report?

Do you know what components in the report have to be aligned for the report to be considered ratable?

Do you know how to write bulletproof psychological reports that will help you avoid subpoenas and depositions?

In this 60-minute webinar, 10 key components of psychological reports that must be internally consistent will be discussed. Each component will be covered in detail and considered in relation to the other factors, and the report as a whole. As well, common mistakes will be discussed.

Ample time will be provided for questions at the conclusion of the presentation.

Objectives:

1. Identify essential components of a psychological report.
2. Understand how these components relate to each other and how to make sure they are consistent.
3. Avoid common mistakes of QME reports.  
4. Write a ratable psychological report that can be used for its’ intended purpose: Resolve disputes and move the case forward. 

About the Presenter:
Dr. Cohn brings close to nine years in the Workers’ Compensation field evaluating injured workers and preparing psychological reports. She has served as Primary Treating Physician and conducted defense evaluations. In addition, she has trained fellow psychologists on report writing issues. Marjorie obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute and received multiple years of training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. This depth psychological background helps provide insight into the subtleties and nuances of complex psychological cases. 
 

Overview:

This course is designed to assist attorneys and insurance adjusters in their understanding of work related COVID-19 claims, claims coverage issues (compensability), the COVID-19 presumption created by Senate Bill (SB 22), 

 

The course has also been developed to provide education and knowledge about COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims for attorneys, insurance adjusters, case managers, and managed care professionals. There is a strong emphasis on the COVID-19 virus, compensability and job “course and scope” issues associated with the virus, case management of COVID-19 claims from both a legal and medical perspective, claims investigations and handling, and discussion on legislation that will be filed during the 2023 session of the Texas Legislature and impact the legislation will have on both legal and medical issues associated with COVID-19 and pandemic viruses.
 

Program Learning Objectives:

• The attendees will learn about Senate Bill (SB) 22 and the COVID-19 presumption for first responders: Section 607.0545 of the Texas Government Code, which sets out a rebuttable presumption that a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or coronavirus disease (COVID-19) injury or death is work-related for certain first responders.

• Attendees will receive an overview of current COVID-19 claim data, including claim frequency and claim characteristics, denials, disputes, costs and outcomes of reprocessed claims.
• The attendees will learn about the most common medical treatments provided to COVID-19 patients, common conditions for long-haul patients, and best practices for evaluating medical causation for long-haul patients after a COVID-19 claim has been accepted.

Instuctors:

Moderator: Stuart Colburn - Downs Stanford, PC
Amy Lee - President, Steadfast Policy Strategies LLC
Trang Nguyen, MD, PhD - President, MedicusRx
Karen Parker - Vice President of Operations and Claims

 

Overview:

Learning Objectives:

Instructors:

Hon. David Pollak - Van Nuys WCAB
Hon. Robert Rassp - Presiding Judge, Los Angeles WCAB
Frank Christine III, Esq. - Tobin Lucks

Overview:

This session will outline some of the initial stakeholder repercussions from the perspective of treatment providers, payer and utilization review and project what the next few weeks and months have in store. The panel of experts will address real life questions and issues, creating an interactive and vital discussion of California’s new formulary. Curriculum will equip the audience with realistic goals and actions to take as the deadline for weaning plans approaches.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Reiterate what was supposed to happen on January 1
• Identify some of the initial behavior in the industry by the various stakeholders
• Prognosticate what the short and long-term future has in store

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Mark Pew - Senior Vice President, Prium
Steve Cattolica - Director of Government Relations, CSIMS
Lisa Anne Bickford - Director of Work Comp Gov't Relations, Coventry
Mike Lemrick - Senior Director of Operations, UR & IME, Coventry
Dr. Jacob Rosenberg - Founder, IPM Medical Group

Special Medical Credit:

1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

This session is presented in conjunction with California Society of Industrial Medicine and Surgery (CSIMS).

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Institute for Medical Quality/California Medical Association (IMQ/CMA) through the joint providership of the California Society of Industrial Medicine and Surgery (CSIMS) and WorkCompCentral. CSIMS is accredited by the IMQ/CMA to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CSIMS designates this live activity for a maximum of one AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This credit may also be applied to the CMA Certification in Continuing Medical Education.

Overview:
Billing Bootcamp will discuss the complete cycle of medical billing for Workers’ Compensation in California. It is for anyone who deals with either billing or paying for medical goods and services.

Learn Medical Billing from start to finish, including what constitutes proper billing, how to find and use fee schedules, documentation requirements and dispute resolution.

Attendees will achieve a better understanding of the requirements for getting paid under this system, no matter what type of goods or services are being provided:
- Physician Services
- Pharmacy
- Facility Fees
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Clinical Lab Services
- Medical/Legal

Learning Objectives:
- When is a provider entitled to payment?
- How much should the payment be?
- How should the bill be submitted?
- What documentation needs to accompany the bill?
- How do we resolve billing disputes?

Overview:
The California non-attorney Hearing Representative and Lien Representative is required to know how to prepare for and litigate a workers’ compensation case or lien claim before a WCAB Judge. This engaging, six hour seminar will instruct Hearing Reps and Lien Reps in the fundamentals about a work comp claim - from injury to opening a case, pre-trial issues, mandatory settlement conferences, and settlement of cases.

Learning Objectives:
- Preparing for Hearings (conferences and trials)
- Professional Standards and Conduct
- DWC Forms and Procedures
- Case Review
- Legal Basics
- Petitions
- Liens

Who Should Enroll:
Any non-attorney who appears at a DWC District office (board): hearing representatives both applicant and defense, lien hearing representatives, lien claimants, paralegals, legal secretaries, law school students, law firm interns, claims adjusters, TPAs, employers or HR professionals, self-insureds, program managers and claims analysts for brokers.
 

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

About the Presenter:
Sue Honor-Vangerov is the Managing Attorney for the lien unit at Floyd Skeren & Kelly. Sue, formerly Medical Unit manager for the California Division of Worker's Compensation, is a recognized subject matter expert in California medical billing, fee schedule and lien matters.

Enroll in the Series of 3 for $179
Please call to purchase or follow this link:
https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/895

Overview:
85% of Americans have one or more chronic diseases. These diseases delay recovery and healing of an injured worker. This webinar will teach you how to recognize comorbidities, manage them, and limit their effect on your claim.

Learning Objectives:
- How your claimant’s chronic disease is driving up the cost and length of claims and how to stop it.
- Diabetes, hypertension and obesity are among the leading diagnoses in the general population, and soon will be in worker’s compensation as well.
- Chronic disease delays recovery from injury.
- A leading internal medicine physician will discuss how chronic disease effects a work-related injury.
- Hear from a defense attorney on how to manage chronic disease from a legal perspective.

 

Overview:

Join our roundtable discussion on regulations and risk management issues impacting attendee’s organizations in 2024 presented in partnership with HIRMA. This is a no cost educational event for Risk Managers, Human Resources, and Claims Professionals.

Learning Objectives:

Topics to be discussed during this webinar:

• Cal-OSHA Standard 3343
  • Legislated as Senate Bill 553 and signed by Governor Newsom going into effect July 1, 2024
• AB2188 Marijuana Discrimination in Employment use of Cannabis
  • Effective January 1, 2024
• Workers' Compensation Best Practices

Moderator:

Julio Martinez, Esq. - Managing Partner at Gilson Daub

Instructors:

Dr. Carlos Rodriguez, Ed.D., CIH, CSP - Safety Process Leader for Marathon Pipelines & Logistics
Stephen E. Grimaud, CPA - VP Finance, Chief Risk Officer for Partners Personnel
Michael McKernan, Esq. - Sr. Attorney at Murphy, Beane, McKernan, APC
Thu Do, Esq. - Partner at Employer Defense Group

Overview:

Training will include Advanced Litigating techniques, and discussion of:

- List of common errors that lead to rejection of forms and denial of petitions.

- Checklist of key phrases with significant legal persuasive power (reasonable medical probability, functional improvement, catastrophic injury, change of medical circumstances, etc.).

- Trial Prep Checklist (i.e. LC 5502(d)(3) states parties should provide a proposed rating string at the MSC).

- Settlement checklist and walk through issues.

- Tips on how to bullet proof Petitions (including Motions to Quash, trial briefs and Petitions for Recon).

- Requesting a QME Panel (i.e. Reg 31.1(b) requires documentation be provided if requesting a QME Panel other than the PTP’s specialty).

- Checklists of little known gotchas and glitches found in the SB863 Regs (including the Practice & Procedure Manual, the MPN regs, the QME regs, the proposed MTUS regs and the EAMS regs).
 

About the Presenter:
Sue Honor-Vangerov is the Managing Attorney for the lien unit at Floyd Skeren & Kelly. Sue, formerly Medical Unit manager for the California Division of Worker's Compensation, is a recognized subject matter expert in California medical billing, fee schedule and lien matters.

Enroll in the Series of 3 for $179
Please call to purchase or follow this link:
https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/895

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

The California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board is moving lien claims to the Oxnard district office to cut down on the amount of claims that have piled up at Los Angeles, Long Beach, and other surrounding offices. Oxnard judges will conduct hearings of those liens. It used to take four to six months to get a hearing date, it's now down to about 60 to 90 days, since the transfer has commenced.

Get an in-depth understanding of how liens are handled at the WCAB in Oxnard.

Learning Objectives:
- Reporting and Treatment Costs
- UR / IMR
- MPN Disputes and Liability
- Early Lien Negotiation and Settlement
- Settlement Documents
- Lien Proceedings
- Discovery
- Document Service
- DOR
- Trial
- Exhibits
- Conference
- Medical / Legal
- Determination of Necessity
- Reimbursement Calculation
- IBR
- Bill Review Reports
- Court Decorum

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This course is essential for any professional in workers’ compensation who creates, reviews or processes PR-4 Reports or QME/AME Reports. In this informative webinar, the attendee will learn how to both create and review AMA Guides 5th Edition validated impairment ratings by Dr. Alchemy, MD, QME, CIME.

Included in this webinar will be the most common mistakes in impairment reports such as measurement errors, calculations, and the subtle less well understood topics such as strength testing and gait analysis. Dr. Alchemy will also be teaching on a new approach to impairment rating techniques based on "data set construction" and analysis. We will also visit the concepts of examiner and institutional bias in the impairment rating process.

Discussion:
1. Understand what is a ratable impairment data set
2. Understand how to take a correct impairment history
3. Understand how to take correct impairment measurements
4. Understand appropriate elements for valid strength and gait ratings
5. Be able to discuss the concepts of bias in impairment rating reports

About the Presenter:
Sue Honor-Vangerov is the Managing Attorney for the lien unit at Floyd Skeren & Kelly. Sue, formerly Medical Unit manager for the California Division of Worker's Compensation, is a recognized subject matter expert in California medical billing, fee schedule and lien matters.

Enroll in the Series of 3 for $179
Please call to purchase or follow this link:
https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/895

Overview:
Includes 3 sessions:

PART 1:
"2015 Physician’s Fee Schedule Update - Part (1/3)"
Session 1 discusses what has changed for physician billing for 2015, new conversion factors, updated regulations, dispute resolution trends.

PART 2:
"2015 Facility Fee Schedule Update - Part (2/3)"
Session 2 discusses recent changes to both Inpatient and Outpatient facility billing for 2015.

PART 3:
"2015 Emerging Fee Schedule Issues - Part (3/3)"
Session 3 discusses the current problems being experienced by providers and payers in workers’ compensation.

About the Presenter:
Sue Honor-Vangerov is the Managing Attorney for the lien unit at Floyd, Skeren & Kelly. Sue, formerly Medical Unit manager for the California Division of Worker's Compensation, is a recognized subject matter expert in California medical billing, fee schedule and lien matters.

Register:
Series of 3 for only $179.
Individual sessions are $69 each, when purchased a-la-carte.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Attend the entire "Seismic Shifts in WC" Series for one price of $249.

This provides access to the Introduction and the 4-part series. David DePaolo introduces Seismic Shifts in WC, an exclusive report researched and written by Peter Rousmaniere, workers’  comp industry journalist with a special focus on work injury risk.



The training series includes
Intro to Seismic Shifts in Workers’ Comp on February 24
Lit Up Claims: A New Era of Claims Management on March 3
Expand Beyond Workers’ Comp To Absence Management on March 10
Injury Saving Technology: Adapting to the Automation Age on March 17
Breakthroughs in Injuries and Claims Data Access on March 24

Overview:

Training will include Advanced Litigating techniques, and discussion of:
- Connecting the dots for AOE/COE – The new medical treatment paradigms.
- Unique aspects of Psychiatric cases (Rolda v. Pitney Bowes (2001) 66 CCC 241).
- Permanent disability and rebuttal Issues.
- Medical-legal –Steps to take to ensure reports constitute substantial evidence.
- VR Reports – Steps to take to ensure reports constitute substantial evidence (Compliance w/ Reg 10606.5).
- When lack of objection constitutes assent (J.C. Penney v. WCAB, (Edwards), (2009) 74 Cal. Comp. Cases 826.).
- Six Steps to ensure adequate apportionment determinations.
- Tips for filing appeal of workers’ comp decisions.

 

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

New Year, New Normal, New Workplace…New Rules? The Impact of Remote Work and Home Offices on Workers’ Compensation

In this webinar, ODG by MCG’s VP of Government Affairs, Patrick F. Robinson, JD, MBA, will discuss the origin and recent trends concerning telework/home offices, how different jurisdictions have analyzed work accidents occurring at home, and suggested best practices for incorporating remote employment in workers’ compensation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the history of telework/home offices
2. Evaluate recent trends in remote employment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
3. Assess how different jurisdictions have analyzed home employment in the context of workers’ compensation, both jurisprudentially and legislatively
4. Identify “best practices” for successfully incorporating remote work in workers’ compensation

Instructor:

Patrick F. Robinson - VP of Government Affairs, ODG by MCG

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

To handle claims involving only medical benefits, each medical-only claims adjuster shall receive a Medical-Only Claims Adjuster Designation Form that verifies he or she has completed at least 80 hours of training, with at least 50 hours of training being conducted in a classroom with an instructor or has met the requisite experience requirements as set forth in the regulations (Section 2592.01(g)). Subsequent to the initial designation, all designated medical-only claims adjusters shall receive a Post-Designation Training Form that demonstrates he or she has met the required 20 hours of post-designation training every two years.

Overview:

When it comes to Return-to-Work programs, one size does not fit all. Companies need options that focus on whole person recovery and minimize disruption to the organization’s day-to-day operations. Injured workers can be accommodated with temporary light-duty work at non-profit organizations. The employer and carrier can significantly reduce workers’ compensation costs while giving back to the community by using a charity organization as an offsite modified duty option. This type of program can help employees return to work faster, reduce risk and symptoms of depression, and provide a positive environment for the injured worker. Allowing employees to volunteer while recovering from an injury helps them to focus on their abilities rather than their disability and strengthens your company’s connection to the community. 
 

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the essential components of developing an offsite return-to-work program.
• Identify the appropriate claims for this type of program.
• Explore best practices for implementing offsite transitional duty.
• Understand the value and community impact of this type of program.

Instructors:

Debra Livingston - Founder & CEO, ReEmployAbility
Xavier Trapp - Senior Claims Manager, Floor & Decor
Chad Beinschroth - Claims Manager, ABM Industries
Joy Hughley - Account Manager, Cannon Cochran

Overview:
Learn to navigate the treacherous waters of UR / IMR, and get the list of DO's and DO NOT's for Applicants, Defendants and Doctors.

Discussion:
- UR/IMR: Friend or Foe?
- Historical Underpinnings
- How did we get here?
- Cost Modalities
- Constitutionality
- Dubon I and II
- Appealing IMR
- Can the system be navigated?
- A Practical Analysis
- Scope of MTUS
- IBR: Basic Concepts

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

The Claims Specialist's Start Guide: CA Adjuster Cert Process, Historical Overview, Organizational Structure of WC System, WC Terms and Concepts, Basic Benefits & TD and SJDB Vouchers.

Topics to be Covered:

- CA Adjuster Cert Process
- Historical Overview
- Organizational Structure of WC System
- WC Terms and Concepts
- Basic Benefits & TD
- SJDB Vouchers

Instructor:

Hon. Colleen S. Casey

Overview:
This training will examine the basic tenets of workers’ compensation law every claims specialist should master. All material will focus on four main subject areas:
1) Identifying the Industrial Injury
2) The Employment Relationship
3) WCAB Jurisdiction
4) Criteria for accepting or denying the Claim

Discussion:
- Distinguishing causation of injury versus causation of disability
- Problems encountered with meeting burdens of proof
- Unique issues when dealing with cumulative traumas
- When date of injury may be a moving target
- What is injurious exposure and when does liability attach
- How to recognize when an injury arises out of and occurs in the course of employment (AOE/COE)
- What are the exceptions to the basic AOE/COE rule?
- Employee vs. Independent Contractor: How are the Borello employment criteria for applied?
- Constitutional and legislative authority for WCAB jurisdiction
- Explanation of the exclusive remedy rule
- Presumption of liability
- Nature and extent of duty to investigate
- Permissible perimeters of the LC 5402 delay period

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This training will provide attorneys and physicians with everything you need to know about the medical-legal issues involved in "psyche" cases - from the initial diagnosis through the discovery process to the separate analysis of causation of injury, causation of impairment, and legal apportionment will be covered.  

The training panel will present an interactive process between an AME psychiatrist, a defense attorney, and applicant attorney and a workers' compensation judge.

Discussion:
- How is a psychiatric diagnosis made?
- Does the DSM-5 apply?
- How can you rebut a GAF-WPI rating?
- What do defense attorneys look for in defending against psyche cases?
- What does current case law say about psychiatric cases?
- How does SB 863 apply in psyche cases?

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This is a four-hour MCLE program that addresses the specific issues of the prosecution and defense of cases involving employee leasing companies, general-special employment law, and handling cases when the employer or the PEO is uninsured.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, attendees can be sure to take away these main points:

• Attendees will understand the origin and evolution of employee leasing companies
• Is a PEO the injured worker’s employer?
• How to properly name defendants
• How to conduct discovery when a PEO or employee leasing agreement is in effect
• How to obtain insurance coverage information while you unpeel the onion
• How PEO cases can be linked to the prosecution and defense of uninsured employers
• How does the UEBTF work?
• What is the current case law on PEOs and employee leasing?
• What do Applicant and Defense attorneys need to know about serving an uninsured employer, how to join the UEBTF and OD Legal
• How does a C&R or Stipulated Award work when an employer is uninsured?

Instructors:

Hon. Robert Rassp - Presiding Judge, Los Angleles WCAB
Hon. David Pollak - Judge, Van Nuys WCAB
Christopher Hartman, Esq. - Deputy District Attorney, Los Angeles

Overview:

In early 2022, Medicare announced changes which caused great concern for the workers’ compensation community nationwide. On January 10, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued version 3.5 of its Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside (“WCMSA”) Reference Guide (the “Reference Guide”), adding Section 4.3 (The Use of Non-CMS-Approved Products to Address Future Medical Care). On February 18, 2022, CMS held a town hall webcast to explain and expand on the update. On March 21, 2022, CMS published Version 3.6 of the WCMSA Reference Guide, specifically amending Section 4.3, and addressing the questions and concerns the workers compensation industry had with Section 4.3. 

WCMSAs are still voluntary. The only legal requirement of settling parties is that litigants make sure Medicare remains a secondary payer post settlement for any and all medical bills related to the work accident, injuries, or illnesses. Although CMS’ voluntary WCMSA amount review process is the only process that offers both Medicare beneficiaries and workers compensation entities government approved finality with respect to obligations for medical care required after a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment occurs, legally, settling parties may use a non-CMS approved WCMSA to protect Medicare’s future interests. 

Based on its latest amended language, CMS may, at its sole discretion, deny payment for medical services related to the WC injuries or illness, requiring attestation of appropriate exhaustion equal to the total settlement less procurement costs and paid conditional payments, before CMS will resume primary payment obligation for settled injuries or illnesses. Such a denial of future payment for medical services related to the WC injuries or illnesses may take place unless it is shown, at the time of exhaustion of the non-submit WCMSA funds, that the initial funding of the WCMSA was sufficient, the utilization of WCMSA funds was appropriate, and the WCMSA is completely exhausted.
 

Learning Objectives and Talking Points:

Attendees will learn that non-submit WCMSAs may still be used by parties to take Medicare’s future interests into account so long as the injured worker understands that when the WCMSA funds have been exhausted, and the injured worker wishes Medicare to assume primary payer responsibilities for the work related injuries or illnesses, he/she must prove to Medicare that:

1. The initial funding of the MSA was sufficient.
2. Utilization of WCMSA funds was appropriate.
3. The non-submit WCMSA is completely exhausted.
4. The settlement took place after January 11, 2022.
5. Non-review thresholds still apply to settlements.
6. Parties must consider Medicare's interests.

This is a test-only course for the CLR.

All CLR students must complete this test assessment.

This is a test-only course for the CLRA.

All CLRA students must complete this test assessment.

Overview:

An Independent Medical Exam (IME) can be an effective tool for claims management, but navigating the timelines and regulations can be challenging, especially in the Golden State.  In this webinar, we go beyond the basics and dive into some of the steps and regulatory procedures surrounding IMEs and PQMEs.  Participants will walk away with effective strategies to put into practice immediately to ensure an IME/PQME is an effective tool when managing a claim.

Learning Objectives:

During the webinar, our instructors will answer these questions and more:

• When should a PQME be considered during the work comp claim process?
• How to request a PQME with the State?
• Why request a PQME if the injured worker receives approved/authorized medical treatment?
• What pre-planning can be done at the onset of the PQME to avert or avoid the problems that typically occur?
• What happens when Employee is non-compliant? Or forget/misses the appointment?

Continuing Education Credits:

Texas Claims, Florida Claims, and Nursing Credits are still pending at this time.

Instructors:

Laura Gorman - MTI America
Susan Emerson - Retired Delta Airlines
Kathleen Brundo, Esq. - Brundo Law
Karen Aguirre  - Medsource National

Overview:
What is an uninsured employer? How do you handle an uninsured employer case as defense counsel? As an applicant attorney? Join Tobin Lucks’ Nate Halprin for a special one hour webinar to answer these questions.

Discussion:
- Prima facie cases of uninsured status
- Establishing eligibility for the U.E.B.T.F.
- Choosing the correct venue
- Policies and procedures
- Enforcement of the judgment

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This is an introduction to the claims adjuster certification process in California.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

To educate employers, risk managers, attorneys, and insurance professionals on the power of human connection and language across various elements of the workers’ compensation system from multiple lenses to improve consumable communication orally and in writing to deliver effective messages based on audience and context. This is based on the psychological components of human connection in addition to Maslow’s Hierarchy and Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory.
 

Course Relevance:

This course will help employers, risk managers, and claims professionals to develop knowledge, skills, and judgment around human connection that facilitate the ability to work collaboratively for greater outcomes within the workers’ compensation industry understanding the science behind human behavior to drive more effective outcomes for improved outcomes fiscally as well as culturally. 
 

Purpose of Course:

Communication is imperative, especially in workers’ compensation. There is power in communication. The words you use and how often you communicate can have a positive effect or a depleting effect on an injured worker as well as their recovery journey. 

 

Not everyone absorbs information the same. Having a multitude of communication avenues can increase transparency and clarity, leading to more consumable information and less miscommunication. While miscommunication is one of the most underestimated productivity killers, it can also derail relationships due to ineffective communication. 

 

The purpose of this course is to discuss essential communication contacts, methods of communication, frequency of communication, and all things soft skills from verbiage to tone in both oral and written forms.

 

Instructor:

Dr. Claire Muselman

Overview:

With a clinical background in mindfulness, stress management, grief recovery, and critical incident stress, David Vittoria will guide attendees, in a strengths-based and positive format, discussing how we can focus on thriving to adapt and thrive amidst the challenges of life. With science-based facts about our innate capacity for resilience and our brain’s ability to reorganize and restructure its functions, David discusses practical tips and offers helpful resources that can be easily applied in order to bring each of us more calm, clarity, confidence, and connection.

Program Learning Objectives:

• Explore Hierarchy of Needs
• Define Resilience
• Understand the 8 C’s of Self Leadership
• Neuroplasticity & Importance of Focused Thoughts
• Helpful Resources

Instructor:

David Vittoria - Sr. Vice President, Clinical Business & Product Development - Carisk Partners

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This course provides an overview of jurisdictional challenges and legal components in return-to-work programs. It will explore return-to-work legislation’s impact on the Injured Workers’ motivation to return to work, reasons for seeking counsel, and reducing the impact of litigation on employers. Experienced panelists will discuss legal climate, best practices for return-to-work programs and address the nuances of communicating with an injured worker. The course also covers the role of each party in communication, specific state requirements for offsite modified duty programs and how light duty work can impact litigation and settlement. 

Learning Objectives:

• Identify specific requirements and common legal challenges for light duty and transitional work assignments. 
• Understand jurisdictional components, litigation trends and case law.
• Discuss the challenges involved in transitional work assignments including communication, risk of reinjury and safeguarding strategies. 
• Explore the legal climate of return-to-work programs in different jurisdictions. 

Instructors:

Debra Livingston - ReEmployAbility
Jason Kolecke, Esq. - Hennessy & Roach
M. George Waters, Esq. - Eraclides Gelman
Ya'Sheaka Williams, Esq. - QPWB
Michelle Sebring, Esq. - LFLM

Overview:
This rating course promises comprehensive presentations by the experts. Tune your skills as the experts debate the most pertinent disability rating issues. This expert panel will teach you how to rate and value your case the right way.
Seminar Curriculum:
- The big question about every case: What’s it worth?
- What is rating?
- Rating is the process of determining PD, through rating strings, after MMI
Instructors:

Overview:

New! Our 20 Tips Claims Series is designed especially for workers’ compensation claims professionals. This webinar includes a fast-paced panel discussion offering practical tips to help claims professionals become more effective at managing workers’ compensation claims. The panel will offer helpful tips you can implement immediately.

Program Learning Objectives:

• Essential tips and best pratices from experienced workers' compensation claims professionals.
• Practical tooks and resources to help you become more effective at handling workers' comp claims.
• Strategies you can use at your desk and establish right away.

These panelists will offer a fun, engaging, and fast-paced hour full of practical tools and strategies work comp claims professionals can put to use the same day. Attendees will learn useful tips and best practices focused on where and how to focus your efforts during the first 90 days of a claim. 

Did you know? According to Alan Pierce, J.D. – Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano (and recipient of the 2019 Comp Laude® Award in the Applicant Attorney category), here are the top 10 reasons injured workers retain an attorney:

1. Claim is denied
2. Lack of contact by employer/carrier
3. Overbearing and/or intrusive contact by the employer
4. Bills go unpaid, prescriptions not reimbursed, or check is late
5. Attorney advertisement or solicitation
6. The advice of friends, family, or medical provider
7. Lack of modified duty work options, employer harassment after return to work
8. Worker/employer dissatisfaction
9. Loss of health insurance or other benefits
10. An accident that was easily avoidable (lack of safety training, accident prevention)

Get ready to learn from these experienced workers’ comp claims professionals. Send your questions ahead of time for the panel to: education@workcompcentral.com 

Instructors:

Stuart Colburn, Esq., Downs Sanford P.C. - Moderator
Eddy Canavan, Hudson Claims Consulting
Sheri Lawrence, SoCal Gas
Hiawatha Franks, TASB
Rafael Gonzalez, Esq., Cattie & Gonzalez

Vital Topics:
- Latest developments for Expedited Hearings (TD, MT, & MPN)
- Nailing Your Burden of Proof
- WCAB Forms for Every Situation

Overview:
Primary curriculum will include Workers' Compensation Appeals Board procedures, forms, and hearings, in addition to:
- Organizational structure of the system
- Concepts and terminology
- Notice requirements
- Investigation
- Medical terminology
- Medical evidence

Discussion:
- Priority Conferences (AOE/COE)
- Causation of Injury
- Latest developments for Expedited Hearings (TD, MT, & MPN)
- Nailing Your burden of proof
- Preparing proper legal pleadings to set the stage for success
- WCAB forms for every situation
- Case Law Update
- Is rebuttal of the DFEC still viable
- Are parties able to present a LeBoeuf scenario for consideration?
- Proving and rebutting causation of injury
- Checklist for substantial evidence
- Expedited Hearings
- Little known gotches in the New MPN Regs
- The MPN’s IMR is a totally different animal than the UR’s IMR
- Discovery Issues, Motions in Limine, Motions to Quash, Motions to Compel
- When to raise the Issue of Privilege
- Right of privacy – When does it apply
- Preparing successful Subpoenas for documents and witnesses

Pre-Requisite:
Complimentary access to the online course "Forming a New Paradigm: Sample Documents for Each Stage of the Process" will be provided to attendees of this class. The instructor will reference training points from the "Forming" online class. Please be sure to complete this training before "Insider’s Guide to the WCAB: Procedures, Forms & Hearings" commences on 6/20/15. Details about the pre-requisite training may be found here:
https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/883
 

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Level 2 - Advanced

About the Program:
WorkCompCentral is pleased to announce two levels of workers’ compensation certification programs for Hearing and Lien Representatives. These certifications, which will be recognized industry wide, have been created and are being administered by WorkCompCentral. These certifications are California specific.

Why Become Certified:
The training that we provide is comprehensive and systematic. After receiving the Hearing and Lien Representative Certifications, you will have a firm grasp and advanced understating of expectations, duties, and requirements of being a highly skilled workers’ compensation professional. Graduates will be able to effectively handle all types of cases in a professional, competent, and confident manner.

What to Expect:
Topics include general background and introductory information about workers’ compensation issues, including statutes and laws that govern the industry. You will be exposed to an extensive background and given specific details on what is required of a Hearing or Lien Representative, including litigation skills, recent case law, and a robust education in lien litigation.

Other Benefits:

WorkCompCentral will prominently display the names of all industry professionals who have earned a Hearing Representative or Lien Representative Certification. This will help potential employers identify those in the industry who have received extensive training.

Maintaining Certification:
To  maintain your certification status and be featured on our website, WorkCompCentral requires individuals to complete 12 hours of continuing education per year. WorkCompCentral will monitor and keep track of certification renewal dates and issue notices informing the individual of their anniversary date. Topics can be selected from our online or live catalog.

Topics Covered (55 Credit Hours):

Advanced Lien Education (12 Credits)
- 2019 Liens Update, Los Angeles, 6 Credits
- Cost Petitions vs. Liens: A Workshop for Providers and Payers, 6 Credits

Advanced Hearing Representative Training (4 Credits)
- Advanced Hearing and Lien Rep Training, 4 Credits

Advanced Med Legal Issues (7.5 Credits)
- The Prosecution and Defense of Psychiatric Injuries, 6 Credits
- Cross Examing Medical Professionals: Basic Strategy and Principles, 1.5 Credits

Rating Instruction: (4 Credits)
- For What It's Worth: How to Rate and Value Your Case, 4 Credits

Advanced Litigation Skills Training (28 Credits)
- Uninsured Employers: Dealing with Cases Involving UE's, 6 Credits
- Catastrophic Injury: How to Maximize or Minimize Exposure, 4 Credits
- Advanced Litigation Skills: Pre-Trial, Discovery and MSC - Part (1/2), 6 Credits
- Advanced Litigation Skills: MSC, Trial and Appellate Process - Part (2/2), 6 Credits
- Prosecuting and Defending IMR/UR, Dubon Challenges, and the CA MTUS, 6 Credits

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
Learn the fundamentals of the new 2015 Copy Service Fee Schedule. Understand how things are defined, what services are bundled, and when services are not payable.

Who Should Attend:
This class is important for copy service professionals, bill reviewers, attorneys and claims professionals who deal with copy service fees.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This four-hour seminar will present the terminology and application of the AMA Guides to common parts of body injured in work related injuries.  Many WPI ratings are missed or misapplied by attorneys, judges, and physicians due to the lack of information about the anatomy, physiology, nomenclature, diagnosis, and functional losses associated with work related injuries.

A team of experts who have extensive knowledge and experience with the application of the AMA Guides 5th Edition will present specific guidance with use of examples to demonstrate the depth of knowledge attorneys, judges, and even some physicians need to have to provide accurate WPI ratings in workers’ compensation cases.  This seminar will assist participants in understanding medical-legal issues, preparing for cross-examination of physicians, and how to understand complex WPI ratings using anatomic, diagnostic, and functional loss determinations.

Discussion:
- Common medical terminology that determines the location and importance of a diagnosis
- Specific application for injuries to the Spine, Shoulder, Knee, Cardiovascular System including the Heart, and other body systems or organs
- How to properly rate certain conditions, depending on accurate diagnostic criteria
- How a WCJ applies Blackledge vs. Bank of America (WCAB en banc decision) in formulating formal rating instructions
- Did you know that a “Mumford Procedure” is the same thing as a “distal clavicle resection arthroplasty?”
- Did you know that there is a scheduled WPI rating for it in Table 16-27?
- Did you know that Table 16-18 conflicts with Table 16-27 for the loss of the AC joint from a resection arthroplasty?

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

Overview:
David DePaolo will moderate a discussion on the topic of Opioids based on a WorkCompCentral Special Report authored by Peter Rousmaniere. The report looks at how the workers’ compensation industry responded to the introduction and phenomenally wide use of powerful pain killers to treat injured workers, and is at a turning point in treating chronic pain.

Discussion:

1. The Twenty Year Crisis
Chronic pain is by far the most debilitating and for claims payers the most costly, compensable condition in workers’ compensation. This webinar discussion will cover how a flawed treatment strategy, using of drugs called opioids, has played havoc with patients, workers’ comp claims payers and regulators.

2. Expansion, Halt, Pull Back
The 1990s set in motion prescribed opioids’ deep penetration into general healthcare. Their presence in workers’ compensation was noted in the late 1990s. After 2005, researchers, claims payers and regulators began to push back, spawning many private and government initiatives. Opioid prescribing started to level off and then decline around 2010.

3. Reframing the Challenge
Claims payers need to bring their strategies for chronic pain into better balance. This includes addressing prevention as well as recovery, and embracing the full array of available interventions. Conservative care deserves being at the highest order of priority. Advances will require frank and accountable collaboration among parties, more than claims payers, managed care vendors and physicians practice today.

4. Case Studies and Wrap Up
We’ll take a look at several examples of successful models for changing the way chronic pain is managed.

Attendance:
- This webinar event is FREE to attend.
- Register into our webinar system using the link below, listed in "Access Instructions." A confirmation access link will be issued from GoToWebinar/CitrixOnline after your registration.
- Emails containing handout access instructions will be issued in the weeks prior to the event.

Access Instructions:
All attendees MUST self-register for the webinar
using this webinar broadcast registration link:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5627042493022511618

Level 1

Prerequisite for Advanced Certification.

About the Program:
WorkCompCentral is pleased to announce two levels of workers’ compensation certification programs for Hearing and Lien Representatives. These certifications, which will be recognized industry wide, have been created and are being administered by WorkCompCentral. These certifications are California specific.

Why Become Certified:
The training that we provide is comprehensive and systematic. After receiving the Hearing and Lien Representative Certifications, you will have a firm grasp and advanced understating of expectations, duties, and requirements of being a highly skilled workers’ compensation professional. Graduates will be able to effectively handle all types of cases in a professional, competent, and confident manner.

What to Expect:
Topics include general background and introductory information about workers’ compensation issues, including statutes and laws that govern the industry. You will be exposed to an extensive background and given specific details on what is required of a Hearing or Lien Representative, including litigation skills, recent case law, and a robust education in lien litigation.

Other Benefits:

WorkCompCentral will prominently display the names of all industry professionals who have earned a Hearing Representative or Lien Representative Certification. This will help potential employers identify those in the industry who have received extensive training.

Maintaining Certification:
To  maintain your certification status and be featured on our website, WorkCompCentral requires individuals to complete 12 hours of continuing education per year. WorkCompCentral will monitor and keep track of certification renewal dates and issue notices informing the individual of their anniversary date. Topics can be selected from our online or live catalog.

Topics Covered (59 Credit Hours):

General Workers’ Compensation Overview and Background (14 Credits) 
- Introduction to the CA Work Comp System, 6 Credits
- Workers' Comp QuickStart Guide: Basics, History, Terms, Benefits, SJDB, 3 Credits
- Workers' Comp QuickStart Guide: Threshold Issues, 5 Credits

Hearing Representative Training (11 Credits)
- Framework Required for a Concrete Hearing Rep Foundation, 5 Credits 
- Hearing and Lien Representative Fundamentals, 6 Credits

Lien Education (12 Credits)
- Lien Litigation: What You Need to Know in 2016, 6 Credits
- Annual Liens Update, 6 Credits

Med Legal Issues (4 Credits)
- Medical Information Every Lawyer and Judge Should Know, 4 Credits

Rating Instruction (6 Credits)
- 20201 Annual Rating Event, 4 Credits

Litigation Skills Training (12 Credits)
- Litigation Skills: Pre-Trial, Evidence and Depositions - Part (1/2), 6 Credits
- Litigation Skills: Conference, Trial and Post-Trial - Part (2/2), 6 Credits

Overview:

This course will explain the prevalence, pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment recommendations of diabetic foot ulcers. Additionally, causation analysis will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can look to find the answers to these questions and more:

• How do diabetic foot ulcers develop?
• What should the examination show?
• Treatments - what are the levels of evidence?
• How to determine causation?

Instructors:

Dr. Trang Nguyen - MedicusRX
Dr. David Randolph - MedicusRX

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
How do you know when to settle a workers’ compensation case? How do you know if you should settle the case, or if you should litigate the case?  As an applicant attorney, defense attorney, or claims professional, knowing when and how to settle is crucial.  It can be the difference between ensuring that the applicant receives adequate medical care and fair indemnity benefits, or, from a defense perspective, it can be the difference between saving your client hundreds of thousands of dollars.
 
Mr. Alan Gurvey, the managing partner of Rowen, Gurvey & Win and renowned applicant attorney, serves as the moderator of a powerful and passionate panel of professionals, including attorneys, judges, a claims specialist, and a structure settlement specialist.  You will learn important strategies to settle cases, and learn about the intricacies behind non-industrial credits and offsets, Medicare set-asides, and structure settlements.  The panel will also discuss what should be included in Declarations of Readiness to Proceed, Stipulations and Issues, Compromise and Releases, and Stipulations with Request for Awards. Throughout the seminar, the panelists will focus on how to negotiate, not only with opposing counsel, but with your own client!  

Discussion:
- The Risks and Advantages of Settling Early
- Cost/Benefit Analysis of Going on Trial
- When to File a DOR
- What is Mandatory at a Mandatory Settlement Conference
- Negotiations and Client Control
- The Settlement Documents: C&R's and Stipulations
- Credits and Offsets Against Against Workers' Compensation Settlements
- Medicare Set Asides and the Settlement Process
- Non-Medicare Medical Treatment and Services
- Structured Settlements and Complex Cases

Special Details:

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

FALL SPECIAL - CROSS X TRAINING SERIES
Enroll in the series of three, for one price of $129:

https://www.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/1010
https://www.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/994
https://www.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/971

Call 805-484-0333x133 to receive this special offer.


Overview:
Intimidated by doctor's depositions? Do you have office staff who are new to cross examination? Or, are you a seasoned practitioner but still would appreciate some useful pointers from someone with a lot of experience? Mr. Wixen's entire practice is centered around medicine and cross examination. He works in both the workers' compensation and civil arena probably doing as many doctor's depositions as anyone in California. We have asked him to share basic strategy and principles in the art of cross examination. He always has something of interest to take away. This is a worthwhile opportunity for those on both sides of the aisle. Don't miss it.

Discussion:
- Considerations in assessing whether cross examination is appropriate
- Strategies for preparation of cross examinations
- Basic principles for any cross examination

About the Instructor:
Brad Wixen graduated from Loyola Law School in 1990 and has worked many years in workers compensation doing defense, applicant, and now with his own company offering cross examination and medical consultation. He has worked for Jacobs and Solomon, Stockwell, Harris, Hinden and Breslavsky, and now has over fifty different attorneys across the state who utilize his services. He speaks regularly for CAAA, and has also given seminars for the State Bar and at Pepperdine Law School.

Access Instructions:
Access instructions will be emailed to attendees and posted to this section in the weeks prior to the event.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
Advanced Hearing and Lien Rep Training is a course designed for workers’ compensation professionals who have experience trying cases and negotiating at the WCAB. The course is more advanced and builds upon the February 25 course, “Hearing and Lien Representative Fundamentals.” All attendees to the advanced course will have online access to the recorded February 25 basic course.

Advanced Hearing and Lien Rep Training is instructed by three experienced and highly respected judges with a combined total of 68 years of judicial experience. The course is also of great benefit to attorneys, claims professionals, insurance professionals, and self-insureds as well.

Discussion:
- File and Litigation Preparation and Strategies
- Direct and Cross Examination
- Effective Depositions
- Expert Testimony
- How and When to Settle the Case (Or Not!)
- Defending and Prosecuting AOE/COE and Independent Contractor Issues
- Rating Your Case
- Petitions for Reconsideration/Removal
- Professional Standards of Conduct
- Liens: Filing, Statute of Limitations, Copy Service Regs and Fee Schedules
- Using EAMS to Your Advantage

Overview:
Master an understanding of CA Work Comp impairment rating. Join Dr. John Alchemy, MD, QME, CIME, founder and CEO of RateFast (www.Rate-Fast.com) and Impairment Rating Specialists (www.pr4report.com), for an exclusive webinar on advances in CA impairment rating. Dr. Alchemy will discuss current challenges to the work comp stakeholders including doctors, insurance carriers and injured workers.

This webinar will explain how the creation of new cloud and mobile apps are now delivering more consistent and accurate impairment reports in California. This webinar is essential for any CA work comp professional who is interested in better understanding how medical impairment documentation is collected, organized and formulated for the daily processing of injury claims.

Learning Objectives:
1) Solutions for the most common source of errors in PR-4 Reports and QME impairment reports.
2) How to read impairment reports for missing data and accuracy.
3) Web based resources to assist doctors (PTP, QME, AME) create correct impairment reports the first time.
4) Web based resources to assist adjusters and attorneys assess correctness impairment reports.


Policy:
By registering for and attending this free event, you are permitting WorkCompCentral.com, Inc. to share your personal contact information with the trusted sponsors and presenters of this event. Upon request, you will be unenrolled fom the event, and your contact information will be removed from the list that is provided to the trusted sponsors and presenters. For more information, or to opt-out of this event, you must contact Jake Parres at 805-484-0333x133, or via email to jacob@workcompcentral.com.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Learn to leverage the quality of your reports and to improve your efficiency when performing or reviewing impairment evaluations. Enhance the quality and efficiency of your evaluations and reviews.

As a result of all these learning resources, you will be able to rate most commonly rated disorders, including spinal pain, upper-limb disorders (hand, wrist, elbow, shoulders, and entrapments), lower-limb disorders (foot/ankle, knee, and hip), nervous system disorders, and pain.

This training is designed for professionals involved in the use of the AMA Guides, including physicians and other healthcare providers, attorneys, claims professionals, and fact finders.

QME Continuing Education:
This course is currently in the process of being renewed by the DWC Medical Unit. It does NOT offer QME Continuing Education Credit hours at this time.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
Presented by Suzanne Honor-Vangerov, Esq, CPC, CPC-I, CMSP
- Learn the difference between ICD-9 and ICD-10
- Understand how the codes work
- Learn the look-up methods
- Learn the coding rules

Overview:
1. Facts to know about the Return to Work Fund/Benefit (RTWF or RTWB)
2. Important dates and deadlines to remember!
3. What do you and your client need to avoid delays?
4. Forms Required to file (before and after).
5. Changes since SB863.

Recommended Training Schedule Chronology
- Workers’ Compensation Basics: History, Terms, and Benefits (6 CE’s)
- Introduction to the California Workers’ Compensation System (6 CE’s)
- Understanding the AMA Guides: Back to Basics (6 CE’s)
- WCAB Medical and Legal Process Forms (6 CE’s)
- Medical Information Every Lawyer and Judge Should Know (6 CE’s)
- For What It’s Worth: How to Rate and Value Your Case (6 CE’s)
- Liens: Where Are We Now? (6 CE’s)
- Hearing Rep Litigation and Case Management Skills (6 CE’s)

Attorney Certification Level 2 includes more of the essential tools, skills and training sessions for the new workers' compensation attorney.

Recommended Training Schedule Chronology
- Medical Treatment for Injured Workers (6 CE’s)
- The Real Do’s and Dont’s of Trial: From Discovery to Decision (4 CE’s)
- Cross Examining Medical Professionals (4 CE’s)
- Cumulative Trauma Litigation (6 CE’s)
- The Prosecution and Defense of Psychiatric Injuries (6 CE’s)
- Catastrophic Injury: How to Maximize or Minimize Exposure (6 CE’s)
- Prosecuting and Defending IMR/UR, Dubon Challenges, and the CA MTUS (6 Credits)
- Uninsured Employers: Dealing with Cases Involving UE’s (6 CE’s)

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
This four hour seminar is an interactive educational program designed for primary treating physicians and specialists managing injured workers. The course is ideally suited for practicing medical providers, chiropractors and office management staff who want to better understand the basics of a work comp practice. This curriculum focuses on helping you building a successful and profitable workers’ compensation practice.

Discussion:
- General overview of workers’ compensation for medical providers
- Essential medical report writing
- Creating a medical claim management strategy
- Unlocking the confusion of the PR4 Report
- Fit for duty and return to work fee for service exams
- Handling QME reports on your patients
- Successful digitization of your practice
- The Final Frontier of Work Comp Telemedicine

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
From intake, case management, billing, collections, negotiations to preparing the cases for hearings and trials. Training will include any and all processes and workflows that practices have to follow or implement. The entire process plays a role in the outcome of the case at court.
 
Attendees will learn how to properly assess and qualify cases before sending them to the hearing representative. Many times, the value is depleted by the numerous negotiation attempts and board appearances. Training will also include the various systems used to track cases, and perspectives of the medical practice.

Discussion:
- Reporting and Treatment Costs
- UR / IMR
- MPN Disputes and Liability
- Early Lien Negotiation and Settlement
- Settlement Documents
- Lien Proceedings
- Discovery
- Document Service
- DOR
- Trial
- Exhibits
- Conference
- Medical / Legal
- Determination of Necessity
- Reimbursement Calculation
- IBR
- Bill Review Reports
- Court Decorum

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
This online course prepares medical treaters to pass the Qualified Medical Evaluator Competency Exam. The exam is administered by the Division of Workers' Compensation. This material will include a survey of changes in the law governing QMEs who evaluate California injured workers as of Jan. 1, 2013. Therefore, QMEs in the system may want to consider this course for the SB 863 updates.


Becoming a QME
A Physician who desires to conduct examinations as a QME must meet certain requirements specified by the Medical Unit of the Division of Workers' Compensation. A QME is required to take a comprehensive written examination, and also he must complete a 12 hour course in report writing. The examination is given twice a year, in October and in April.

DWC Website:
Registration and Information for QME Exams:
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/MedicalUnit/QME_page.html
 

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
Workers' compensation defense attorney John P. Kamin will recap the highlights from this year's legislative session during this one-hour webinar. Kamin will also bring you up to date on the latest developments with the copy service fee schedule, the proposed interpreter and home health care fee schedules, and the Angelotti case.

WorkCompCentral Certification Students Attend for FREE!
Please call 805-484-0333x5 to receive this special offer.

Attendance:
This event is available in a recorded format to allow you to access and complete the training at your own pace. All training videos and handouts are available inside of the course. You will now have 6 full weeks to access the course, and to complete the training at your own pace, starting Friday. Please call support at 805-484-0333 if you have any questions about accessing your training.
You can view your course by logging in at https://ww3.workcompcentral.com/
1) Use your username and password to log in at the upper right-hand corner of the screen at ww3.workcompcentral.com
2) Hold your mouse cursor on the Education tab under the WorkCompCentral banner at the top of the page. Click on "MY COURSES" using the drop-down menu when your cursor is on the Education tab.
3) You will see the course title appear on the screen. Click on the "TAKE COURSE" button on the right side of the course title to be directed to the course page, where all of the course activities and audio / visual presentations will be listed. The activities are listed in sections or "modules." Each module is numbered and has a title. Activities, articles, and presentations are listed in the module. Run your cursor over the activity headings and you will be able to click them to access the information or presentation.

WorkCompCentral has partnered with Sue Honor to develop a fresh and comprehensive training series that meets state requirements for workers' compensation bill review. Sue is the former manager of the California DWC Medical Unit.

Whether you are a California-based bill review company or out of state, California Code of Regulations mandates this level of training to process medical bills for injured workers.

Students who complete all of the coursework will meet the California Department of Insurance requirements laid out in Title 10, 2592.04 of the California Code of Regulations governing bill review professionals.

Curriculum Includes:
- Coding and Fee Basics
- Workers' Compensation Overview
- Utilization Review (UR)
- Medical Provider Networks (MPN)
- Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS)
- Independent Medical Review (IMR)
- Medical Billing Standards
- Electronic Billing
- Anatomy
- Medical Reporting
- Independent Bill Review (IBR) and Non-IBR Disputes
- Advanced Coding: CPT, HCPCS, ICD-9 and 10, DRG, APC, NDC
- Physician's Services (pre-2014)
- Physician's Services (effective 2014)
- Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS)
- Clinical Laboratory and DMEPOS
- Pharmacy
- Inpatient and Outpatient Facilities
- Medical-Legal Fee Schedule
- Anesthesia and Ambulance Services
- Copy Service Fee Schedule
- Interpreter Fees
- ICD-10

Who Should Enroll:
California Workers' Comp Claims Adjusters, Medical-Only Adjusters, Paralegals, Billing and Collection Agents, Medical Offices, Law Firms, Self-Insureds, Program Manager or Claims Consultants. Attorneys may earn 40 CE hours toward licensure with the California Bar by enrolling and completing the training.
 

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This program offers expert instruction and advice on rating, while providing the students with the upper hand in everyday issues with your cases. Students will walk away with an understanding of how to deal with permanent disability issues, rating instructions, formal ratings, and how to cross-examine the rater. In addition, students will find out what a Judge is looking for when deciding a rating issue.

Program Learning Objectives:

• - 2023 Rating and apportionment case law update
• - Significant mistakes in the AMA Guides, 5^th Ed.
• - Currently underutilized issues in the AMA Guides, 5^th Ed.
• - Anatomy of a medical report – What is substantial evidence in 2023?
• - What currently makes a vocational expert report substantial evidence?
• - Common mistakes doctors are making in their reports
• - Cross-examination of medical experts and vocational experts
• - Pandemic and post-pandemic medical evaluation, doctor deposition, and  hearing issues
• - Chapters 1 and 2 of the AMA Guides, 5th Ed. and Almaraz/Guzman ratings
• - Disability vs. impairment
• - Fitzpatrick and 100% PD awards “according to fact” per Section 4662(b)
• - Adding versus combining impairments
• - Apportionment: 4662(a), 4662(b), 4663, 4664, Hikida, Justice, and “vocational apportionment”
• - Developing the record before and after trial on permanent disability issues
• - Rating instructions, formal ratings, and how to cross-examine the rater
• - What a judge is looking for when deciding a rating issue
• - Discussion ofthe en banc Nunes decision and how to use it with vocational experts.

Instructors:

Hon. Clint Feddersen
Hon. Robert Rassp
Hon. William Carero
Kenneth Kingdon, Esq.
Allan Fensten, Esq.

Overview:
This training will address advanced permanent disability issues involving major orthopedic and non-orthopedic injuries. Instruction will also include a discussion of Almaraz-Guzman based alternative ratings and a case law review of controversial rating methods. The panel will also discuss major orthopedic rating methods, major non-orthopedic rating methods, Almaraz-Guzman and case law review of controversial rating topics.

Discussion:
- Robert McLaughlin
       Lesser-Known Facts About AMA Ratings
- Mark Kremer
       Advanced Disability Rating of Common Orthopedic Injuries
       Advanced Disability Rating of Common Non-Orthopedic Injuries
- Brenna Hampton
       Law of Almaraz-Guzman
- Judge Linda Atcherly
       Rating from the Judge’s Perspective
- Kenneth Kingdon
       Current Events in Rating / Case Law Update
- Other Topics to Include:
       Dahl Case
       Advanced Theory in Rating Outside the AMA Guides

Special Pricing for Adjusters:
Call 805-484-0333 for Special Adjuster Pricing.
Verification of Adjuster employment status is required.

Vital Topics:
- What is an Injury? Is the Injury Industrial?
- Traps for the Unwary in the UR and IMR Regulations
- An In-Depth Exploration of the New MTUS Regs Effective 4/20/2015

Bonus:
A Special Added Presentation of "Medical Information Every Lawyer and Judge Should Know"

Overview:
- What is an injury?
- Is the injury industrial?
- How are MT options determined?
- Facing the challenges of meeting obscure regulation requirements and deadlines
- An indepth exploration of the New MTUS regs effective 4/20/2015
- What are the sole two instances when MT requests may be authorized based on standards other than the MTUS?
- When is the presumption of correctness of the MTUS rebutted?
- What is the hierarchy of evidence and how should it be applied?
- How to secure medical reports and depositions that constitutes substantial evidence
- Case studies under the UR and IMR process. What works and what needs to be improved?
- Traps for the unwary in the UR and IMR regulations

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
Suzanne Honor-Vangerov, CPC, CPC-I, CMSP presents!
Effective January 1, 2016 every reimbursement amount changes in the Physician's Fee Schedule. Attend Sue Honor's webinar broadcast to understand these widespread changes. Time for Q&A with Sue Honor will be provided.

Discussion:
- New details of the 2016 changes
- New Conversion Factors
- New Geographic Adjustment Factors
- Q&A on physician fee issues

Overview:
Musculoskeletal injuries constitute the majority of industrial claims. Claims professionals will review many medical reports written by physicians who report their findings as they treat and evaluate injured workers. This course will give you the medical framework required to properly understand these reports.

The instructors are three physicians from the Parthenia Medical Group who have experience examining and treating industrial claims. Michael J. Sachs, D.O, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Western University will discuss Medical Imaging and a second topic, Knee Anatomy, Injuries and Treatment. Bruce Hector, M.D. will present the subject of Spine Anatomy, Injuries and Treatment. Thomas Hascall, M.D. presents the topics of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Anatomy and Treatment and also Shoulder Anatomy, Injuries and Treatment.

10 C.C.R 2592.03(a) Adjuster Topics Covered:
17. Medical Terminology
19. Medical Evidence

10 C.C.R 2592.04 Bill Reviewer Topics Covered:
5. Medical Terminology
7. Medical Evidence

Overview:

The claims professional is the decision maker with respect to compensability of any claimed injury, and with respect to the benefits that are to be voluntarily paid. These decisions will be based in part upon the results of a claim investigation. Most claims department professionals will be involved in some manner with this process, either investigating the claim themselves, or referring the matter out to private outside investigators are the appropriate time. The investigation becomes the centerpiece of claim activity and the legacy you will leave in your file. This course will help you learn how to properly investigate a claim of industrial injury.

10 C.C.R 2592.03(a) Adjuster Topics Covered:
15. Investigation
16. Fraud

10 C.C.R 2592.04 Bill Reviewer Topics Covered:
4. Fraud

Mandatory Completion Time:
The allotted time for completing this entire course is 6 weeks. Please monitor your time to complete the course and materials within this assigned time frame.

Overview:

Employers are required to "secure the payment of compensation" or they are illegally uninsured. They may meet this obligation by purchasing a policy of insurance from a private carrier, or from the State Compensation Insurance Fund, or they may be permissibly self insured. The insurance claims professional will at times be required to determine coverage issues including insurance policy provisions. This will require that the claims professional have an understanding of policy terms, inclusions and exclusions, and other language contained in the policy. You will also learn how rates for insurance are established, and the role of the WCIRB in the insurance rating process. At times carriers may become insolvent, and when this occurs, the obligations are take over by the California Insurance Guarantee Association.

There has been an unprecedented number of carrier bankruptcies in the past decade, and CIGA has become a prominent entity in the litigation of claims. You will learn about the evolving law of CIGA liability, and the limits that have been established in recent decisions. This course will thus cover the basics of insurance and insurance policies, and other methods for employers to secure the payment of compensation benefits for the employees.

The WC Insurance Policy and Endorsements course will cover topics such as:

-Principles of Compensation
-Underwriting overview
-The WCIRB (Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau)
-Securing Compensation in California
-TPAs (Third Party Administrators)
-Insurance Carriers
-Self Insurance
-Carrier Insolvency and CIG

10 C.C.R 2592.03(a) Adjuster Topics Covered:
3. The Workers' Compensation Insurance Policy, it's Forms and Endorsements, Insurance Principles of Compensation

Mandatory Completion Time:
The allotted time for completing this entire course is 6 weeks. Please monitor your time to complete the course and materials within this assigned time frame.

Difficulty Level:
Basic - Intermediate

Overview:
Suzanne Honor-Vangerov, CPC, CPC-I, CMSP presents this 2016 Clinical Lab and Drug Test Fee Schedule Update via webinar. Critical updates, vital solutions and time for Q&A will be provided.

Discussion:
- Important changes to drug testing coding
- New definitions
- Changes to the payment level
- Detailed understanding of all the changes

With a few exceptions, most attorneys who are actively practicing law in California must take 25 hours of MCLE every three years and file a report with the State Bar. On and after January 1, 2022, while all attorneys will still be required to complete 25 hours of MCLE every three years, the total hours must now include no less than seven hours as follows:

• At least four hours of legal ethics.
• At least two hours dealing with the elimination of bias. Of the two hours, at least one hour must focus on implicit bias and the promotion of bias-reducing strategies.
• At least one hour of education addressing competence issues.

Specifically, this new implicit bias education requirement will begin applying to attorneys in MCLE compliance group 3 who must report compliance for the period ending on January 31, 2023.

This program provides seven hours of “Special Requirement” training within the 25 hours of total MCLE credit required for the California State Bar education needs of attorneys – Attorney Group 3 (Last Names: N-Z) whose deadline to report is February 1, 2023

Learning Objectives:

This webinar will help assist all practicing attorneys in the following ways:

• Understand from a survey of cases detailing unethical behavior from attorneys in the workers’ compensation community how to avoid committing similar behavior in his or her own practice.
• Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas that arise in the representation of applicants (especially those in the Hispanic community with potential cross-over immigration issues).
• Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas that arise in the representation of defendants and conflicts of interest that arise with employers.
• Understand how certified Spanish interpreters are an essential component in the workers’ compensation system and prevent bias against applicants with limited English proficiency.
• Learn how alcohol, substance abuse, and mental illness affect the mind and how it impairs an attorney's ability to perform competent legal services.

Instructors:

WCJ David. L. Pollak - Van Nuys WCAB
PWCJ Robert G. Rassp - Los Angeles WCAB
Frank Christine, III, Esq. - Defendant's attorney from Tobin Lucks, LLP
Néstor Wagner - Founder and Director of Education for the Southern California School of Interpretation, Inc.
Amanda Deering White - Shareholder from Invictus Law, P.C.

Overview:

Presented by Suzanne Honor-Vangerov, Esq, CPC, CPC-I, CMSP, and co-instructed by Gladys Ross, CPC, CCS-P, ACS-EM.

Training includes a bonus free pre-requisite Basics online course. Emphasis will be placed on coding for particular medical specialties, body systems and types of injury or illness.

Main topics include ICD-10, Documentation, Procedure Coding. The course will use real live case studies as examples. The presentation will teach you how to improve the bottom line with ICD-10 reporting and proper documentation.

ICD-10 regulations have been posted online here:
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/DWCPropRegs/ICD-10/ICD-10.htm

Discussion:
- Eye
- Ear
- Skin
- Subcutaneous Tissue
- Nervous System
- Digestive System
- Circulatory System
- Respiratory System
- Genitourinary System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Blood Diseases
- Infectious Diseases
- Neoplasms (Cancer)
- Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases
- Injury: Poisoning and External Causes
- Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Findings
- Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Credits: 
This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Overview:

First Responders experience daily exposure to traumatic events that, over months and years, accumulate and are known to result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, chronic pain, and insomnia. Although they spend their careers helping others, this group of workers are often reluctant to ask for help and when they do, their conditions are often not well understood.

 

This session highlights the successes of a unique partnership between City of San Diego and Institutes of Health, a company specializing in the delivery of biopsychosocial care. Panelists will underscore the importance of your role as a partner in public safety by enhancing your understanding about the inherent risks to public safety personnel, current vulnerabilities they face, and learning about best evidence-based practices that allow for improving clinical outcomes and accelerating MMI. 

 

Our expert panel includes important perspectives from risk management, law enforcement, fire-rescue, as well as medical perspectives. They will discuss the essential components of public safety wellness programs and evidenced-based treatment protocols for first responders that can support career longevity, overall improvement in the quality of life and an overall decrease in the cost of claims.
 

Program Learning Objectives:

 

Overview:

This presentation aims to explain the concept and importance of evidence-based medicine (EBM) in managing workplace injuries. Troy Prevot, Director of Strategic Solutions from ODG by MCG, will cover how EBM is defined, and how evidence is categorized into a hierarchy that’s helpful in critical appraisal.

Mr. Prevot will explore the benefits and challenges and how capturing evidence into a clinical practice guideline allows for easier discovery and application. The presentation will end with an overview of additional tools and analytics that are incorporated into workers’ compensation, disability, and auto injury scenarios.
 

Program Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the role and significance of evidence-based medicine in managing workplace injuries

2. Compare the relative value of different types of evidence through critical appraisal

3. Describe how evidence-based medicine can be applied to critical appraisal through the use of clinical practice guidelines
 

Instructor:

Troy J. Prevot, MBA, PA-C, ATC - Director of Strategic Solutions at ODG by MCG

 

Overview:

Overview:
The course content is developed and directed towards California claims professionals and attorneys specializing in Workers' Compensation Law. Knowledgeble and well respected judges, attorneys and claims professionals will address the most current topics and issues confronting claims administrators, medical providers, attorneys and others involved in workers' compensation. This seminar promotes adjuster-required continuing education, as this seminar meets the criteria established by the California Department of Insurance. Attorneys in attendance also receive MCLE continuing educaiton. Curriculum will include:
- Judicial Litigation Tips
     + Death Benefits
     + Penalties
     + Sanctions
     + Other Remedies
- Ethics
- Claims Handling
- Subrogation
- Settlements
- Arbitration
- Mediation
- Carve-Out Programs
- Statute of Limitations

Credits: 
This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Overview:

A catastrophic claim does not happen often, thank goodness; it accounts for less than 1% of all the WC claims. But when it happens, it takes only one case to break your bank account, which could potentially cause an employer to lose their business or spend millions in direct and indirect medical costs, disability benefits, and lifetime care management. This session will examine some of the complexity of managing a catastrophic claim and its impact and review specific considerations with some of the common catastrophic injuries.

Course Relevance:

Early recognition and provision of care are critical in the claims management process when a catastrophic injury occurs. A great deal of volatility is involved depending on the type and severity of the injury, duration of treatment, degree of recovery, and other factors such as inflation, future medical advances, and potential secondary complications. Attendees will gain greater insight into the intricate management of a catastrophic claim and recognize its impact on all stakeholders involved. Attendees will also benefit from recognizing some of the unique concerns of the various injuries and the added value in catastrophic case management services to claims management. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the various definitions of catastrophic injuries.
2. Recognize claims and employer implications when managing a CAT claim.
3. Recognize the value of catastrophic case management and its process.
4. Discuss specific injuries and unique claims management considerations.

Instructor:

Angie Jung, RN, BSN, CRRN, CCM

Overview:
The California non-attorney Hearing Representative and Lien Representative is required to know how to prepare for and litigate a workers’ compensation case or lien claim before a WCAB Judge. This engaging, six hour seminar will instruct Hearing Reps and Lien Reps in the fundamentals about a work comp claim - from injury to opening a case, pre-trial issues, mandatory settlement conferences, and settlement of cases.

Discussion:
- Hiring, training and duties of the Hearing Rep
- Prosecuting and defending a work comp case from beginning to end
- Ethics of the Applicant and Applicant Hearing Rep
- Intake and laying the case foundation
- Communicating with the applicant: health, job, ability to return to work
- EAMS and document preparation
- Client income, temporary disability, and child support issues
- Use of exhibits and identifying and limiting exhibitions
- Professionalism and preparedness
- Dealing with treatment issues and the MPN
- Walkthroughs
- Good faith effort to solve liens
- Dealing with opposing Hearing Reps
- Initial file defense and review; creating a case game plan
- Letters to clients
- Accepted injury; disputed body parts
- Treating out of the MPN
- Settlements and board negotiations
- Adequacy issues
- Subpoenas, medical reports, and medical records
- Preparing for the Mandatory Settlement Conference
- Trial do’s and dont’s
- Stips and issues and discovery
- MMI - Maximum Medical Improvement
- Discrimination against work comp filers
- Supplemental job displacement benefits/vouchers; social security disability; permanent disability, whole person impairment

Credits: 
This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

FALL SPECIAL - CROSS X TRAINING SERIES
Enroll in the series of three, for one price of $129:

https://www.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/1010
https://www.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/994
https://www.workcompcentral.com/education/course/course_pk/971

Call 805-484-0333x133 to receive this special offer.


Overview:

This training is Part 1 to the June 17 seminar in Glendale, "Advanced Skills for Cross Examining Psychs," located HERE.

We have put together two masters in cross-examination and medicine for a half day seminar in which the attendees are sure to learn new and very practical information. The seminar is geared to be objective and is meant for both physicians as well as applicant and defense attorneys. 

Attorney Brad Wixen is known across the state specializing entirely in medical cross-examination. Likewise, Dr. Steven Feinberg is one of the most knowledgeable and simultaneously articulate physicians in the system.

Be sure to take the opportunity to hear these two speakers discuss the gamut of issues from questions asked by attorneys in initial letters and for supplemental reports, physician report writing, and for both the attorney and the doctor, how to best prepare for and engage in deposition cross-examination testimony.

The speakers will also provide information regarding how to ask and respond to questions regarding soft tissue injuries and chronic pain conditions when the objective findings do not match up with the disability and activity of daily living. The speakers will discuss malingering, symptom magnification and issues of credibility.

Discussion:
- Questions asked by attorneys in initial letters and for supplemental reports
- Physician report writing
- How to best prepare for and engage in deposition cross-examination testimony
- How to ask and respond to questions
- Malingering, symptom magnification and issues of credibility
- Learn more about how to look at an MRI other than to note the size of a disk
- Learn about radiculopathy - often key to any injury case
- Understand the gamut of pain disorders - important when looking at a soft tissue claim with residual chronic pain  
- Understanding the medicine and the questions to ask
- Soft tissue and it's ramifications

Credits: 
This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Overview:

This training is Part 2 to, "Cross Examining Medical Professionals," located HERE.

Please join Brad Wixen, expert in cross-examination, and Mark Levine PhD, QME/AME psychologist and neuropsychologist, for this special opportunity.

This is an advanced hands-on half day seminar on cross examination of the psychologist and psychiatrist. Those attending will be guaranteed useful information to take away. The educational material will be informative, objective, and useful for both parties of a claim.

Understand the most common psychological testing techniques and what they really mean. Learn where to look for evidence concerning credibility. Learn how to apply this understanding to cross-examination of the doctor useful for either side of the aisle.

This will be an in-depth analysis of several cutting-edge legal issues unique to psychology in today’s Worker’s Compensation world. Topics will include “pass-through apportionment”, what are the rules for psychologically induced impairment in other specialties, apportionment to risk factors, and Almaraz Guzman as it applies to psychology.

Included is an overview of pain disorders, how to rate them, and whether there is a neurologic crossover.

Discussion:
- How to tell if the testing justifies the conclusions
- Where does one look for evidence of pre-existing pathology?
- Is apportionment to personality factors legal?
- What is a pain disorder and how should it be rated?
- How can I look at the MMPI and understand better what the results really are? 
- How can a psychologist make findings about credibility?
- What is the relationship between pain and neurology?
- What is a catastrophic injury?
- What makes a psych injury catastrophic?

Credits: 
This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Overview:
This all day program is devoted to legal and medical-legal issues that defense attorneys are confronted with in every day practice.

Discussion:
- Cross Examining Medical Professionals
- Cumulative Trauma Litigation
- How to communicate with medical professionals including treating, AME, and PQME physicians
- When and how to write advocacy letters
- How to cross-examine a physician – to rehab or to reject?
- Things about workers’ comp that doctors do not understand
- What is a rating string?
- Case outcomes
- Causation of injury vs. causation of disability
- Apportionment
- When to apply and when not to apply Almaraz-Guzman
- Ex-parte communications with physicians and the scope of Labor Code Section 4062.3
- How to defend against a cumulative trauma claim
- What is “injurious exposure” anyway?
- What can you do when you are at the business end of a Petition for Contribution?
- Questions and Answers

Credits: 
This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

This is a test-only course for the 120-Hour California Claims Adjuster Credential. All adjusters who complete the This is a test-only course for the 120-Hour California Claims Adjuster Credential program, and active students must pass this test.

Overview:

The WCAB has repeatedly made it clear that a lien claimant has the burden to prove all the necessary elements before it may recover anything in connection with its lien. A lien claimant now stands in the shoes of the injured worker with respect to all those responsibilities. As a result of this and amended Board Rules, lien litigation now mandates that lien representatives change their business model away from merely being collection agents.
 
In addition, while medical-legal providers may no longer be considered lien claimants and are exempted from paying filing fees, they now must face new and difficult logistical challenges related to getting their bills paid by defendants.

Discussion:
- When to file a lien and when to file a petition for costs
- Which liens are exempted from the $150.00 filing fee
- How to properly notify the WCAB of who represents the lien claimant
- Issues related to statute of limitations for filing of liens
- Issues related to licensing, accreditation and fictitious name permit for lien claimant
- Issues related to assignment of lien claimant’s right to collect
- Issues related to non-physician lien claimant’s restrictions on access to medical information
- How to ensure that the medical evidence from the lien claimant establishes both injury AOE/COE and reasonableness of the medical treatment
- Issues related to home health care liens
- How to ensure that the lien claimant can meet its burden of establishing the reasonableness of the medical charges
- How Labor Code § 5811 can be used to pay for litigation costs incurred in lien collection
- How and when to request independent bill review
- How to establish reasonableness of charges not subject to the Official Medical Fee Schedule
- How to assess and calculate penalties and interest owed to the lien claimant for unreasonably delayed payment to the lien claimant
- Issues relating to lien procedures and duty to attend lien conferences and lien trials
- Issues relating to dismissal of liens for failure to prosecute
- Issues relating to sanctions

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:
Hon. David L. Pollak
Van Nuys Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law Judge
Hon. Myrle Petty
San Bernardino Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law Judge
Hon. Eileen O'Kane
Los Angeles Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge
Theodore Durden
Hearing Representative for Durden & Associates
Steve Hoffman
Hearing Representative

Overview:
Join us for this half-day event on trial techniques and skills, covering the entirety of a trial from discovery to decision. The expert panel of instructors will discuss the most vital topics, including medical necessity, medical treatment, body parts, issues with doctors' depositions, plus stipulations and issues matters including detailed discussions on the binding agreement.

Discussion:
Applicants Deposition
   - Timing
   - Purpose
Employers Deposition
Cross Exam of Doctor by Deposition
   - Admonition and waiver
Collection of Records
   - ISO report
   - Prior claims
   - Employment application
   - Prior employment records
Service of Documents
   - Medical reports
   - Records
   - Sub-Rosa
Mandatory Settlement Conference
   - Be ready to try your case at MSC
Trial
   - How to attach and defend a medical report

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Overview:
This course is primarily suited for Illinois workers’ compensation insurers, claims handlers and employers.  It will focus on the current makeup and disposition of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission in 2016.  There were amendments to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act in 2011.  Did these changes result in any meaningful improvements to Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission practice?  Did these changes result in more fair and reasonable evidence based decision making by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission?  Have Illinois workers’ compensation costs come down and become more reasonable and consistent with other states?  What significant cases have been decided recently by the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Illinois Appellate Court?  These questions will be considered withinterpretations and opinions offered by the presenters.  The types of issues most commonly identified and litigated before the Commission will be discussed.  The goal of the program is for insurers, employers and case handlers to have a better understanding of the current Workers’ Compensation Act and case law, disposition of the Workers’ Compensation Commission and types of cases that should be denied and defended before the Commission.

Discussion:
- Improve your day-to-day Illinois workers’ compensation case handling skills.
- Know the current disposition of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission and whether workers’ compensation benefit entitlements have truly changed post 2011 amendments.  
- Know the types of cases that should be denied and tried before the Commission.  
- Know the recent Appellate Court case rulings that are significant to employers

Attendance is FREE
Click on the "Register" or "Enroll" button to attend at no charge.

Overview:

In a series of hypothetical case studies, this program will reveal the inner workings of the claims handling and litigation process through a didactic dialogue from an attorney's intake of the injured worker, to the referral and investigation by the attorneys for the insurance carrier and/or employer, through the trial process, and finally ending with the appellate process. The program is intended to be a discussion of hypothetical case studies in workers’ compensation. The injured workers, employers and insurance companies will be fictitious and the discussions will focus on general handling of workers’ compensation claims from intake to the appellate process and conversations between the respective people within the process.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Discuss denied post-termination cumulative trauma claims for both applicant and employers
• Critique admitted claim of injury self-procured treatment issues, penalties for untimely delay, settlement issues for catastrophic claims, and client control for both applicant and claims

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:
     
Hon. David Pollak (moderator)
Robert G. Rassp (moderator)
Alan Gurvey, Esq., Applicant Attorney
Keith More, Esq., Applicant Attorney
Elisha Landman, Esq., Defendant Attorney
David Speyer, Esq., Defendant Attorney
Debra Tobias, Esq., Defendant Attorney
Wendy Humphrey from AIG Claims Services, Inc., Claims Administrator
Karen Nash from Big 5 Sporting Goods, Employer
Dawn Watkins from the Los Angeles Unified School District, Employer
Hon. Colleen Casey, WCJ/Commissioner
Theodore Durden, Lien Representative
Rosanne Wong, Esq. from L.A. County MTA, WC Division, General Counsel



Training Preparation:

In order to better understand the unusual structure and nature of the program, please watch the following youtube.com video (Ethics in America from Annenberg Media) that provides an accurate representation of how our program will be presented: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OImmf345d0

This program presents a panel of legal and medical experts discussing required protocols for writing the Causation and Apportionment sections of Medical Legal Reports. Instructors will enable students to clearly recognize whether the Causation and Apportionment sections of Med-Legal reports have been properly written and meet the requirements for substantial evidence.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Differentiate between causation of injury and causation of permanent disability
• Employ the required language for the causation of injury statement(s)
• Formulate and present opinions on causation and apportionment of permanent disability
• Discuss where the burden of proof lies and when it shifts
• Discuss differences between LC 4663 and 4664 and why they are both required when discussing causation and apportionment
• Apply the changes stemming from SB 863
• Read reports from other specialities which is important for QMEs and AMEs

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Marjorie Cohn, PhD, QME
Julie Armstrong, PsyD, QME
Gary Armstrong, PsyD, QME
Arthur Lipper, MD, QME
Elliot Berkowitz, Esq.
Raymond Correio, Esq.

Overview
Join us in Glendale as Suzanne Honor-Vangerov and Steve Cattolica present this vital SB 1160 Update, including 2017 specifics for practice and procedure.

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Includes 30 hours of state-required post-designation training to renew Claims Adjuster license in California.

To legally perform the duties of a Claims Adjuster, at least 30 hours of training as set forth in Sections 2592 and 11761 of the California Insurance Code must be completed to achieve your post-designation certification. This WorkCompCentral Credential Post-Designation program is completely online, allowing the student to work at their own pace.

This curriculum has been recently updated and includes all current laws, practices, and concepts. The instructors are the most knowledgeable, highly respected members of the workers' compensation community.


Training Package Includes 32.5 Credit Hours:
- Conversation With Your Client: Hypothetical Case Studies - 6 Claims Credits
- Ethics, Competency Issues and Elimination of Bias - 6 Claims Credits
- A Claims Examiner’s Toolbox - 4.5 Claims Credits
- Causation and Apportionment in Med Legal Reports - 4 Claims Credits
- Rate Expectations: PD, Rating and Advocacy - 6 Claims Credits
- Advanced Rating: Become an Expert - 6 Claims Credits

Includes 16 hours of state-required post-designation training to renew Medical Bill Reviewer Certification in California.

Students who complete all of the post-designation coursework will meet the California Department of Insurance requirements laid out in Title 10, 2592.04 of the California Code of Regulations governing bill review professionals.

Overview:

Join us for our final 2022 California Case Law Update on the WCAB rules and regulations in our half-day webinar focused on Case Law Updates and the new WCAB Rules of Practice and Procedure that went into effect on January 1, 2022.
 
Our Dream Team presents case law like no other workers’ compensation organization by describing the case and the potential effect the case has on the practice of workers’ compensation law from the applicant's attorney’s perspective, the defense counsel’s perspective, and a judge’s perspective.  The program’s format includes a round table discussion of each case with graphics showing highlights of each case so that the audience can visualize each case’s unique details.

You will hear from our esteemed instructor panel on important updates to California workers' compensation laws that affect your practice from the past two years:

• Updated knowledge of case law from 2020-2022
• Review of underutilized strategies to implement in your law practice
• Improve your workers' compensation knowledge, practice and procedures
• and more!

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will learn how recent cases may affect or impact:

• applicant attorney law practice
• defense attorney law practice
• a Judge’s decisions
• and more!

Instructors:

Hon. David Pollak - Van Nuys WCAB
Hon. Robert Rassp - Presiding Judge, Los Angeles WCAB
Frank Christine III, Esq. - Tobin Lucks

Overview:

The subject matter of this course will cover all pertinent case law for litigation and legal practice in 2017. Instructors will examine the most important pieces of case law, presented alongside a spectrum of tools for proper application. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain exclusivity of workers' compensation
• Discuss the statute of limitations and insurance coverage
• Describe injury AOE/COE
• Distinguish medical-legal procedure and medical treatment
• Interpret case law updates to permanent disability

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. David Pollak
Hon. Robert Rassp
Frank Christine, III, Esq.

Overview:

In this program, Suzanne Honor-Vangerov discusses changes to payment methodology, changes to definitions, and changes to payment multipliers as well as updated tables. Workers' compensation professionals who work with the outpatient hospital fee schedule will benefit from this course. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Define key terms related to the Outpatient Hospital Fee Schedule
• Apply payment methods appropriately
• Discuss tables relating to the fee schedule

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructor:

Suzanne Honor-Vangerov

Overview:

This course provides essential updates and specific tools for workers' compensation professionals residing in or near San Diego, CA. Instructors will discuss liens, case law updates and the impact SB 1160 has had on the industry. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Describe the impact of SB 1160
• Define social security disability
• Interpret case law updates
• Discuss liens and structured settlement strategies
• Classify reimbursement and contribution

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. Clifford Levy
Jessie Zaylia
Brenna Hampton
Sharon Douglas
David J. Korch
Anthony DeLillis
Cory DeLillis
Jack Don

Overview:

Suzanne Honor-Vangerov presents a program discussing the vital changes for 2017 including conversion factors, types of covered services and what is reimbursed. This course will benefit all who are involved in the workers' compensation system. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Identify important changes for 2017
• List changes to the conversion factors
• Explain changes to types of covered services
• Classify how certain services are reimbursed

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructor:

Suzanne Honor-Vangerov

Overview:

This program will discuss all pertinent laws, skills and tools for lien issues starting January 2017. Instructors will provide guidance on pre-trial preparations, burden of proof and trial pointers. A question and answer session will conclude this program, providing valuable insight for all parties in the workers' compensation system. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to: 

• Differentiate between liens and non-liens
• Establish photocopy services
• Identify med-legal criteria
• Discuss IBR, cost petitions and interpreter issues
• Recognize new law on stayed and suspended providers

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. Myrle Petty
Suzanne Honor-Vangerov
William Tappin

Enroll in the entire series here!

Overview:

This program instructed by Phil Walker, J.D. and Christopher Brigham, M.D. will focus on the basic ratings under the AMA Guides. This is part one of three on a series of the AMA Guides 5th Edition.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Discuss simple ratings and how to read it off a chart
• Explain range of motion and intermediate ratings
• Describe Californial special cases and how to get a report corrected under the guides

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Christopher Brigham, MD
Phil Neal Walker, JD

Overview:

This program will instruct Hearing Reps and Lien Reps in the fundamentals about a work comp claim - from injury to opening a case, pre-trial issues, mandatory settlement conferences, and settlement of cases. Three experienced and highly respected judges with a combined total of 68 years of judicial experience will lead this course. The curriculum is also of great benefit to any non-attorney who appears at a DWC District office (board): hearing representatives both applicant and defense, lien hearing representatives, lien claimants, paralegals, legal secretaries, law school students, law firm interns, claims adjusters, TPAs, employers or HR professionals, self-insureds, program managers and claims analysts for brokers. As well as attorneys, claims professionals, insurance professionals, and self-insureds.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Prepare for hearings (conferences and trials)
• Identify professional standards and conduct as well as DWC forms and procedures
• Discuss case review, legal basics, petitions, liens, file and litigation preparation and strategies and both direct and cross examination
• Construct effective depositions and expert testimony
• Defend and prosecute AOE/COE and independent contractor issues
• File petitions for reconsideration and removal

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. Janet Coulter
Hon. Eileen O'Kane
Alan Skelly

Overview:

This program provides expert instruction and advice about rating, permanent disability, impairment and litigation strategies. Instructors will focus on all aspects of rating and prepare everyone involved in the rating process to succeed. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Discuss apportionment specifics and criteria for an Almaraz/Guzman rating
• Identify whether a failed Almaraz/Guzman rating should be remanded or should default to the strict rating
• Rate impairments not specifically listed in the Guides
• Differentiate between Acme Steel and vocational expert testimony
• Analogize to Table 6-9 (the hernia table)
• Describe when it is appropriate to go outside of the chapter that provides the strict rating
• State what a judge is looking for when deciding a rating issue

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. Clint Feddersen
Hon. Robert Rassp
Hon. William Carero
Kenneth Kingdon, Esq.
Allan Fensten, Esq. 

Overview:

Michael Sullivan and Associates present this vital update for the Bay Area. Instructors will review skills, legal updates and process techniques to be successful with a claim. The discussion will include: significant case law and legislative update, ADA vs. WC - return to work & the interactive process, and challenging the PQME specialty.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Identify significant case law and legislative updates
• Compare and contrast ADA and WC
• Define reasonable accommodation and the interactive process
• Differentiate between returning to work for a work related injury and a non-industrial injury
• Idenfity strategies on how to challenge panel QME specialties with the Medical Unit and WCAB
• Create a smooth process for returning an employee to work that is in compliance with the law
• Recognize the QME process

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Michael Sullivan, General Managing Partner
Lisa Aguiar, Employment Law Section Manager
Pilar Mitchell, Managing Attorney
Joshua Kruger, Associate Attorney
Shane McKay, Associate Attorney

Overview:

Litigation involving uninsured employers has become unusually complicated given the requirement of service of process in accordance with the Code of Civil Procedure in order to obtain personal jurisdiction and proper joinder of the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund. In addition, once joinder has been secured, further litigation involving joinder of additional employers and/or insurance carriers lead to trials on employment and arbitration on insurance coverage. Further roadblocks can also include uninsured employers filing bankruptcy requiring injured workers to seek relief from the automatic stay of the workers' compensation case in bankruptcy court and death of uninsured employers requiring creation of no-asset estates in probate court. Finally, when the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund assumes responsibility for uninsured employers' financial liability, collection efforts against them can be devastating.
　
This comprehensive program will cover all aspects of workers' compensation claims against uninsured employers from attorneys who represent injured workers, uninsured employers and the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund as well as from a WCJ and an arbitrator. Its goal will be to assist attorneys who represent injured workers and uninsured employers in navigating this difficult area of the workers' compensation system.

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Discussion:

Duration
Attendees will be able to identify the options for extending benefits beyond stated duration limits in Option benefit plans. Four common avenues will be explored.
    
Benefit Start Date
Attendees will be able to see why and how employers can start benefits from the first day of disability. Discussion of facts involving number of injured workers who receive various lengths of disability and the impact of eliminating benefit waiting periods.

Weekly Maximum Benefit
Attendees will understand the flexibility that nonsubscriber Option plans have to increase benefits above work comp weekly maximum amounts. Discussion of the number of workers who have wage replacement cut back and how many TX Nonsubscriber plans have no maximum benefits.

Wage Replacement Percentage and Effect of Taxation
Attendees will be able correlate the effect of various wage replacement percentages and their effect on net after tax pay. Discussion of detailed calculations and impact of wage replacement percentage, after taxation, for four different wage replacement percentages at six different wage levels.

Payroll Deduction Differences
Attendees will understand how payroll deductions apply for Texas nonsubscriber vs workers compensation system. Discussion of how group health, retirement, child support, unions dues, etc. are administered for actively-at-work, vs disabled TX nonsubscriber and disabled work comp.

Putting it all Together
Attendees will understand how all sections above affect the disability benefits an injured worker receives. Discussion of actual benefit amounts an injured worker received for disabilities at different durations. Will also review the financial impact of an extended disability on a two-earner family.


CONTINUING EDUCAITON

California Credit
This webinar creates the opportunity to better understand how California employers who have employees in TX can handle work injuries via the Option to TX Workers’ Comp. Employers, based anywhere in the world, can take advantage of the TX Option program for their employees in that state. This webinar also provides detailed differences between the Option and TX Workers’ Comp.  Participating employers will have a greater understanding of how their TX employee injuries are treated, whether in traditional Workers’ Comp or in the Option.


Texas Credit

Claims:
1 (General) Training Credit Hour
Texas Dept. of Insurance
Provider Number: 32715
Course Number: 108200
Approval from the Texas Department of Insurance has been granted for one (1) hour of general credit for agents/adjusters.

Legal:
.75 MCLE Training Credit Hour
State Bar of Texas
Sponsor Number: 9262
Course Number: 928004445

Overview:

This program offers expert instruction and advice on rating, while providing the students with the upper hand in everyday issues with your cases. Students will walk away with an understanding of how to deal with permanent disability issues, rating instructions, formal ratings, and how to cross-examine the rater. In addition, students will find out what a Judge is looking for when deciding a rating issue.

Program Learning Objectives:

- Rating and apportionment case law update
- Mistakes in the AMA Guides, 5^th Ed.
- Underutilized issues in the AMA Guides, 5^th Ed.
- Anatomy of a medical report – What is substantial evidence?
- What makes a vocational expert report substantial evidence?
- Common mistakes doctors make in their reports
- Cross-examination of medical experts and vocational experts
- Pandemic and post-pandemic medical evaluation, doctor deposition, and  hearing issues
- Chapters 1 and 2 of the AMA Guides, 5th Ed. and Almaraz/Guzman ratings
- Disability vs. impairment
- Fitzpatrick and 100% PD awards “according to fact” per Section 4662(b)
- Adding versus combining impairments
- Apportionment: 4662(a), 4662(b), 4663, 4664, Hikida, Justice, and “vocational apportionment”
- Developing the record before and after trial on permanent disability issues
- Rating instructions, formal ratings, and how to cross-examine the rater
- What a judge is looking for when deciding a rating issue

Instructors:

Hon. Clint Feddersen
Hon. Robert Rassp
Hon. William Carero
Kenneth Kingdon, Esq.
Allan Fensten, Esq.

Overvew:
New for 2017 - learn all pertinent laws, skills and tools for lien issues starting January 2017.  Specific focus will be applied to liens, costs and med-legal disputes in 2017.

Discussion
- Liens vs. Non-Liens
- Photocopy Services
- Med-Legal Criteria
- IBR
- Cost Petitions
- New Law on Stayed and Suspended Providers
- Non-IBR Medical-Legal Dispute Procedure
- Interpreter Issues
- Pre-Trial Preparation, Burden of Proof and Trial Pointers
- Recent Cases

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Overview:
WorkCompCentral presents a full day seminar offering the latest updates in Medicare Secondary Payer compliance. This course touches upon all components of MSP compliance, from conditional payment resolutions and Medicare set-asides to emerging issues such as recoveries under Medicare Parts C & D. With case law and legislative updates and practical advice for how to settle claims with Medicare in mind, this day proposes to offer something for everyone.

Discussion:
- Legal & Regulatory authority for MSP enforcement
- Case law summary
- How Mandatory Insurer Reporting has Changed CMS Recovery Processes
- Conditional Payment Resolution
- Other Federal Debt Recovery Laws to Consider
- Medicare Appeals Overview
- How Recoveries by Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans Differ
- Medicare Set-aside Arrangements
- Tips for Obtaining CMS Approval
- Considerations when not Obtaining CMS Approval
- Negotiation Tips for Settling Claims with Medicare Issues
- Technological advancements in medicine and settlement impact

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:
Jen Jordan, JD, MSCC, CMSP, Chief Legal Officer for MEDVAL, LLC
Erin O'Neill, PA-C, JD, Sr. Managing Attorney/Clinical Director-Complex Claims Division for MEDVAL, LLC

Overview:

This program will provide detailed instructions and skillsets to students for the successful SIU referral and prosecution thereof. The instructors will focus on red flags for fraud, identifying and documenting the fraud, and how to protect your company from fraud. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to: 

• Investigate stages leading up to and the submission of the SIU referral to the District Attorney
• Submit an SIU referral to the Distract Attorney
• Identify the nuts and bolts of claimant fraud and/or premium fraud
• Explain pertinent law and how to use the SIU referral to prosecute fraud successfully
• Determine if the climant lie constitutes fraud
• Discuss how the lie or potential fraud affects the adjuster
• identify if a lie constitutes fraud
• Evaluate the fraud

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Jeff Stewart - Founder, S.I.S. Investigations, Inc.
Michael Chiriatti, Jr. - Deputy District Attorney, San Bernardino County
Dennis Knotts - Senior Claims Examiner, Riverside County
Laura Clifford - Executive Director, Employers' Fraud Task Force

Overview:
Understand how to Litigate a Workers’ Comp Case, when the primary issue is Permanent Disability. This course will take the audience step by step through the litigation process of a permanent disability case. From developing an accurate record to presenting the case to the judge.

Discussion:
+ Clarifying the legal theory
     - Strict AMA Guides Rating?
     - Guzman Rebuttal (LC 4660)?
     - LeBoeuf Analysis?
     - Total Disability “in accordance with the fact” (LC 4662)?
+ Developing the Record
     - Bullet proofing the medical evidence
     - Taking the evaluating physician’s deposition
     - Strategy for Use of Sub Rosa videos
+ Negotiation Techniques
     - Analyzing the pros and cons of settlement
     - When to take “yes” for an answer
     - Dealing with difficult clients
+ Trial Strategies
     - Use of recent case law to bolster your position
     - Judicial perceptions of various trial tactics
     - Avoiding the apportionment gotchas
     - Use and Abuse of the Appeals Process
+ Bridging TTD to PTD:  How, When, and What is Paid?
+ How to calculate attorney's fees in a PTD case

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Enroll in the entire series here!


Overview:

This program instructed by Phil Walker, J.D. and Christopher Brigham, M.D. will focus on the intermediate ratings under the AMA Guides. This is part two of three on a series of the AMA Guides 5th Edition. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Discuss prior ratings such as range of motion, DRE, sleep, sex and gastrointestinal
• Identify intermediate ratings such as nerve rating, spine range of motion and DRE and ROM
• Distinguish Almaraz Guzman III ratings
• Explain how to get a report corrected under the AMA guides accurately

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Christopher Brigham, MD
Phil Neal Walker, JD

Enroll in the entire series here!


Overview:

This program instructed by Phil Walker, J.D. and Christopher Brigham, M.D. will focus on the advanced ratings under the AMA Guides. This is part three of three on a series of the AMA Guides 5th Edition. 


Discussion:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Discuss nerve rating, spine range of motion and Almaraz Guzman III ratings
• Prevail at court with a correct report, cross examination and use of an expert report
• Practice updates on CA workers' compensation law regarding AMA ratings

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Christopher Brigham, MD
Phil Neal Walker, JD

Discussion

- The current composition of the IWCC
- The impact of 2011 amendments to the Illinois WCA for Illinois Employers
-  A current Illinois WC case law update

Overview:

We know that health is determined by more than just access to quality medical care. Social factors such as poverty, housing, and education can significantly impact health outcomes. These factors are known as the social determinants of health (SDOH). SDOH can act as barriers to recovery from illness or injury, and they can also contribute to chronic conditions. In order to address SDOH, it is essential to take a whole-person approach to health. This means considering each individual's physical, mental, and social needs. economic factors such as income and employment are key drivers of healthcare outcomes. The good news is that there are proven tools and techniques that can be used to improve health outcomes for individuals and communities. By using screening tools to identify SDOH and using first points of contact to assess critical indicators, we can make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

 

Join us to review these social barriers to recovery and how we can help injured workers overcome them. We will discuss how “whole person recovery” leads to shorter claim durations, decreased indemnity costs, happy and healthy employees, and an overall reduction in total claim payments.
 

During This Webinar, The Instructors Will Answer Many Questions, Including:

• What role do social factors play in workers' compensation cases?
• What are some social determinants of health that can impact workers' compensation outcomes?
• What are some challenges associated with addressing SDOH in workers' compensation?
• What is the best advice for employers to get injured workers back to work?
• How do we engage with younger workers today to get them to come work for our industry?

 

Instructors:

Rafael Gonzalez, Esq. - Cattie & Gonzalez
Debra Livingston - CEO, ReEmployAbility
Chad Bienschroth - Claims Examiner, ABM Risk

Short Summary:

In this webinar, attendees will learn how Motivational Interviewing can be used to improve communication with injured worker patients. MI involves practical, empathetic, and short-term processes that take into consideration how difficult it is to make life changes. Motivational interviewing is often used to help people change their behaviors when facing addiction and chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, to name a few. Motivational interviewing is a good tool for people experiencing anger and/or hostility about their situation. It can help them move through emotional stages to find what is needed to motivate them to change.

Overview:

This course will provide an overview of how claims professionals can use Motivational Interviewing as a tool to communicate more effectively with injured worker patients. Instructors will review Motivational Interviewing techniques and the relevant theories that dovetail with MI such as Neuroplasticity, Positive Psychology, Stages of Change and Non Violent Communication.

Motivational interviewing is often used to help people change their behaviors when facing addiction and chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, to name a few. Motivational interviewing is a good tool for people experiencing anger and/or hostility about their situation. It can help them move through emotional stages to find what is needed to motivate them to change.

Course Objectives:

1. Attendees will have an understanding of why neuroplasticity matters in working with injured workers.
2. Attendees will understand how stages of change are relevant to making lasting lifestyle changes.
3. Attendees will have an understanding of how Motivational Interviewing skills can be effective when communicating with injured workers.
4. Attendees will gain an understanding of Non Violent Communication, Positive Psychology and how they relate to working with people who are injured at work.
5. Attendees will learn how Motivational Interviewing includes strategies to combat burnout.

Overview:

This program focuses on the updates surrounding the AMA Guides, rating and apportionment. Instructors will inspect examples from relevant recent case law and will include practice tips as illustrated by each case. Chapters of the AMA Guides 5th Edition will be combed through, supporting the development of all workers' compensation professionals.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Discuss Chapters 1-17 of the AMA Guides 5th Edition
• Differentiate impairment and disability
• Determine a GAF score
• Analyze a psych claim
• Identify apportionment

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. Colleen Casey
Hon. Craig Glass
Hon. Eric Ledger
Hon. Clint Feddersen

Overview:
WCAB Marina del Rey issues will be discussed in depth.

Discussion:
- Trial Priority according to the Policy and Procedure Manual
- Strategies on how to get your case heard   
- Practice and procedure walk-through
- Developing the record: what is substantial medical evidence?   
- Burdens: who has to prove what?  
- Trial testimony tactics: what's the point of a witness ?  
- Attacking a med-legal report: AME vs PQME   
- IMR appeals
- Untimely UR
- Liens

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:
Hon. Cirina A. Rose, Marina del Rey WCAB
Hon. Ivy Mi, Marina del Rey WCAB
Adam Dombchik, Esq., Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Grant, Felton & Goldstein
David F. Mahjoubi, Esq., Bradford & Barthel
Bethe Barkley, Esq., Stander Reubens Thomas Kinsey
Ajna Sharma-Wilson, Esq.

Overview:

The California non-attorney Hearing Representative and Lien Representative is required to know how to prepare for and litigate a workers’ compensation case or lien claim before a WCAB Judge. This seminar will instruct Hearing Reps and Lien Reps in the fundamentals about a work comp claim - from injury to opening a case, pre-trial issues, mandatory settlement conferences, and settlement of cases.

Any non-attorney who appears at a DWC District office (board): hearing representatives both applicant and defense, lien hearing representatives, lien claimants, paralegals, legal secretaries, law school students, law firm interns, claims adjusters, TPAs, employers or HR professionals, self-insureds, program managers and claims analysts for brokers.

This seminar is instructed by three experienced and highly respected judges with a combined total of 68 years of judicial experience. The curriculum is also of great benefit to attorneys, claims professionals, insurance professionals, and self-insureds as well.

Discussion:
* Preparation for 2018 Issues
- Preparing for Hearings (conferences and trials)
- Professional Standards and Conduct
- DWC Forms and Procedures
- Case Review
- Legal Basics
- Petitions
- Liens
- File and Litigation Preparation and Strategies
- Direct and Cross Examination
- Effective Depositions
- Expert Testimony
- How and When to Settle the Case (Or Not!)
- Defending and Prosecuting AOE/COE and Independent Contractor Issues
- Rating Your Case
- Petitions for Reconsideration/Removal
- Professional Standards of Conduct
- Liens: Filing, Statute of Limitations, Copy Service Regs and Fee Schedules
- Using EAMS to Your Advantage

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Overview:

This program provides updates for all pertinent laws, skills and tools for lien issues starting January 2018. Instructors will focus on liens, costs and med-legal disputes. This course will support the development of all participants in the workers' compensation system.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Discuss interpreter issues
• Implement trial preparation strategies to succeed with the burden of proof
• Plan for EAMS, a lien conference and the notice of representation
• Analyze medical legal reports
• Differentiate between IBR, Lien and petition for costs

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. Myrle Petty, WCLAJ San Bernardino
Suzanne Honor-Vangerov, Esq.
William Tappin, Esq.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This program explores the updates to litigation and case law for 2018. The panel of judges will help support the student's development of understanding common mistakes in strict rating, case law updates on strict and rebuttal rating, LC 4662, sleep, sex & psych injuries & apportionment and nailing the doctor’s depositions using the AMA Guides.


Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this program, the student will be able to:

• Identify common mistakes related to strict rating
• Interpret case law updates on strict and rebuttal rating
• Describe LC 4662, sleep, sex and psych injuries, and apportionment
• Utilize the AMA Guides to nail the doctor's depos

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. Colleen Casey
Hon. Robert Rassp

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This program provides the essential updates for the year 2018 on the topic of liens. The instructors will focus their teachings on the tools and skills for the entire spectrum of workers' compensation professionals who deal with lien issues. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this program, the student will be able to:

• Evaluate IBR, lien and petition for costs
• Create proper objections to bills
• Establish copy service
• Identify services paid under the OMFS and MLFS
• Discuss interpreter issues
• Correctly e-file documents with EAMS
• Deconstruct elements of a lien conference
• Recognize the notice of representation, burden of proof and other special topics

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. Myrle Petty
Suzanne Honor-Vangerov

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This program will provide expert instruction and advice about rating, permanent disability, impairment and litigation strategies. The panel of instructors will focus on education that benefits all parties in the workers' compensation profession.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this program, the student will be able to:

• Differentiate disability and impairment
• Read a medical report and identify substantial evidence
• Cross examine a medical expert
• Discuss adding versus combining impairments
• Develop the record before trial on permanent disability issues

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. Clint Feddersen
Hon. Robert Rassp
Hon. William Carero
Kenneth Kingdon, Esq.
Allan Fensten, Esq.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

This program introduces students to the preparation of settlement by taking medicare's interests into account. This course is for all disciplines in workers' compensation, especially those who deal with MSP day to day. Greg Glitter of Legacy Claims will expand upon advantageous settlement opportunities and how to review the MSA for accuracy. 


Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Identify advantageous settlement opportunities
• Analyze and mitigate your MSP exposure pre-MSA
• Reviewing an MSA for accuracy
• Discuss the MSP roadmap

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Speaker:

Greg Gitter, President, Legacy Claim Solutions, Inc.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:
More and more organizations are adopting the NIOSH Total Worker Health Approach to employee wellness and safety. The results of the collaboration between Wellness, Safety and EHS are well documented. But how does an organization make that cultural or practical shift happen with success and sustainability? Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), are one of the leading causes of lost workday injury and illness across industries. A core symptom is the appearance and experience of chronic pain by employees. MSDs have a significant cost impact on organizations; $20 Billion a year in workers comp cost and more than $600 Billion in healthcare and lost productivity including the harmful impact of Opioids. Addressing this through traditional safety initiatives or wellness programs will have has limited impact. Even addressing employees in the comp system has been siloed too long. It is not about workers comp and not about wellness but about looking at the organization from a more holistic approach and bringing together all areas that can impact the outcomes of increased health, productivity and morale while lowering costs, reducing injuries and eliminating medication use.
 

Discussion:
- Through a holistic approach get workers who are injured back to work faster and less costly with no restrictions/light duty and eliminate the risk of opioid dependency
- How to Empower employees to take more ownership through Education and Engagement via focus on body, behavior and environmental changes – resulting in reducing claim time and cost as well as increase the likelihood of avoidance of injuries
- Understand the psychological impacts of pain and how to address them from a wellness perspective and while in the comp system
- Changing the culture from independent silos to collaboration between two or more distinct internal organizations and achieving sustainability (not just the flavor of the month) through blending ergonomic, wellness and safety techniques with a Total Worker Health approach for your employees to keep them healthy and productive
- Break down the cost savings and productivity benefits of a proactive total worker’s health mindset.
 

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Discussion:
Top Tips for Prepping Your Case for Trial
Nailing the Doctor’s deposition
Bullet Proving Your Medical Evidence
Secrets Everyone Needs to Know About How to Accurately Rate PD
WC Litigation Pitfalls and Pratfalls in and How to Avoid Them
Best Practices in Post - Trial Strategies

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

This program will educate attorneys and claims adjusters on the various methods for assessing the credibility of psychiatric injury claims. Attorneys will gain a better understanding of psychological testing and how to effectively question psychologists about the testing. The testing results are sometimes not presented properly. This is especially important for attorneys to know since they have the ability to cross examine these doctors.


Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to: 

• Demonstrate the process assessing credibility through observations in the interview and in the applicant's responses to questions
• Discuss the role of record review in assessing credibility
• Explain the validity and limitations of various tests with emphasis on what attorneys should look for when reviewing reports
• Describe why there are many, sometimes virtuous, reasons for not being completely honest

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Is the WCAB so backed up that injured workers could not timely receive their benefits, or are the parties simply not prepared? In this edition of Work Comp matters Steve talks about How the system is supposed to work and the consequences of not being prepared. #workcompmatters #expeditedhearings #wcab #workcompcentral

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Robert The Uber driver said it best: “the messages open up your eyes, pay attention, and understand what you are entitled to.“ During this edition of Work Comp Matters, Steve and the gang talk about Robert, The Uber driver and the news of the week.

Laura Wilson is on everybody's top five list of vocational rehabilitation expert's. This week on Work Comp matters she talks to Steve about her career in California Worker's Compensation.  www.lauramwilson.com #workcompcentral #workcompmatters

During this edition of work, matters, Steve and the guys talk about recipes for success in life, work, and in the kitchen and or the barbecue. #workcompcentral #workerscompensation #success

Mark Reed is the pragmatic candidate for the 30th US Congressional District. In this edition of Work Comp matters Steve and the guys talk to Mark about the homeless, a Autonomous cars, legalize marijuana, crime, immigration, and other issues that affect employees, employers, and independent contractors. #workcompmatters #workerscompensation #issues

Overview:

The permanent disability rating webinar will cover spine ratings, with an emphasis on evaluating the accuracy of the doctor’s finding.  A review of “red flag” rating methods used by doctors to inflate ratings, followed by a discussion of Almaraz/Guzman cases.  The session will close with a question & answer segment.

Instructor:

Mark Kremer - Owner/operator of Speed Rating, a permanent disability rating service.  Since its founding in 1994, Mark has rated over 48,000 medical reports.  In addition to rating services, he answers general rating questions for free and offers free in-house training seminars on use of the AMA Guides.

Overview:

This program focuses on how to use data. Linda Lane will share a strategy that builds a customized network that achieved the "Triple Aim" of workers' compensation - which is quality care, prompt return to work, and high patient satisfaction. She will use case studies to demonstrate how these programs have achieved success. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this course, the student will be able to:

• Discover how data analytics when used to identify high-performing physcians can impact WC outcomes.
• Understand the steps to create a data-driven, outcomes-based provider network.
• Learn from case studies that have achieved superior clinical and financial results.

Instructor:

Linda Lane

On this edition of work comp matters, Steve & the boys talk about all the presidents men and who is guilty and who is not. Also, Ted talks about a special rendezvous that took place over 40 years ago. All this, plus some talk, some news and hopefully some answers for employees, employers & independent contractors.  #guilty #employees #workcompcentral #workcompmatters

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

In this episode of Work Comp Matters, Steve talks about California’s  cash bail being eliminated for the 1st time in any State in the nation’s history.  Whatever you do, do not miss the first 15 minutes of this show when Steve talks to criminal defense attorney Lou Shapiro about senate Bill 10 and the elimination of bail in the California criminal justice system. #californiabail #governorbrown #workcompmatters #news #talkradio

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

In this episode of Work Comp Matters Steve and the guys talk about Colin Kaepernick’s new campaign with Nike against the NFL and Donald Trump’s supreme court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Once again Laura Wilson joins the round table to talk to the guys about vocational rehabilitation, IMR, Home Ownership, the Gig Economy and other issues of interest to employees, employers, and independent contractors.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Is supreme court justice nominee read Cavanagh guilty of attempted rape? Listen to this very special addition of Work Comp matters where even the guys at the roundtable cannot agree.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Since this edition of Work Comp Matters was recorded, the United States Senate Judiciary committee has put confirmation for Judge Kavanaugh on hold for one week pending an FBI investigation.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

As you listen to this edition of Work Comp matters please think long and hard about the following question: “who do you trust?”

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Will we ever find out what really happened? During this edition of Work Comp matters, Steve and the guys talk about The news of the day for employees employers and independent contractors.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Overview:

Settling work comp claims calls for a tricky balance. Payers want to limit the amount of money that is allocated to a Medicare Set-Aside and injured workers worry about running out of money for their work-injury related medical bills.  How do you balance these competing interests?  This webinar shows how pairing an intervention-driven MSA partner with a supportive professional administrator can produce a fair and reasonable MSA allocation and still protect and extend those allocation dollars over an injured worker’s life expectancy.
 

 

Attendees Will Learn How:

• To balance the interests of payers and injured workers when settling claims.
• An accurate drafting of the MSA provides its own cost savings.
• To identify MSA cost drivers and how to apply clinical interventions to reduce them.
• The right professional administrator can reduce the costs of medical and pharmacy care for the injured worker after settlement.
• Professional administration can support an injured worker after settlement, and protect and extend the life of the settlement.

Instructors:

Daniel M. Anders, Esq. MSCC - CCO Tower MSA Partners
Marques Torbert - CEO Ametros

In this edition of Work Comp Matters, Daniel Brin joined Steve and Mike to talk about the Dodgers, the homeless, and all the other issues of the week concerning employees, employers, and independent contractors.

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some talk, some news and some answers about work comp matters.

Discussion:

Roadmap for Prepping Your Case for Trial
- Cheat Sheets and Checklists for Every Hot Topic
- MPN Rules Attorneys Often Miss
- Taking Advantage of the Jurisdiction and Venue Rules
- Confirming Employment: The 2018 Dynamex Case Changes Everything
- Object Before it's Too Late (Edwards Case)

Common Discovery Mistakes and How Not to Make Them
- Developing the Record (McDuffie v. LC 5502(d)(3); LC 5906 & LC 5701)
- Subpoena Duces Tecum: Super Power, but Only if Done Correctly
- Sub Rosa Videos: Traps for the Unwary for Both Sides of the Aisle
- Nailing the Doctor's Deposition
- "Taking the 5th": Options for Applicant & Defense
- Evidentiary Compliance: Priviledges are Alive and Well

Ex Parte Issues That Can Tank Your Case
- Why Maxhan Matters (and how to tell the difference between "communication" and "information")

Don't Let Psych Cases Psych You Out
- How to Meet the LC3208.3: Rolda Burden of Proof
- What are "Events of Employment"?
- What are "Personnel Actions"?
- LC 4660.1 Update: For Sex, Sleep, & Psych, it's All About Direct Injuries v Compensible Consequences

Permanent Disability Rating Update
- 2018 Glossary of AMA Guides Cases
- Burden of Proof Issues when Genetics and Family History Invololved (Rice case and progeny)
-Apportionment; Old Rules - New Tricks

How to Avoid an Appeals Faux Pas
- Gotchas when Appealing an Interim Order
- Using Probative Terms and Phrases
- Secrets for a Successful Petition

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:
Hon. Colleen Casey - San Francisco WCAB
Hon. Eric Ledger - Oakland WCAB
Hon. Dora Padilla - San Jose WCAB

Overview:

This program consisting of two WCAB Judges will provide all attorneys, both applicant and defense, underutilized strategies to implement in their everyday law practice. Vital case law from 2018 will also be covered.


Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• Differentiate between injury AOE and COE
• Identify temporary disability and permanent disability 
• Describe apportionment and the need for further medical treatment
• Discuss trial procedure, settlement and third party credit

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. David Polak - Van Nuys WCAB
Hon. Robert Rassp - Los Angeles WCAB
Frank Christine III, Esq. - Tobin Lucks

Overview:
Workers' compensation public policy research is thriving. Big data and next generation analytics have created new insights into all corners of the national workers' compensation system. The best research can challenge long-held beliefs, stakeholders to debate legislative changes and suggest avenues to improve quality of care and facilitate an injured worker's return to work. Citing recent studies on underlying reasons for regional differences, opioid utilization and manage care interventions, John Ruser of WCRI and Alex Swedlow of CWCI will provide examples of how research has served stakeholders need for options, insight and evaluation. 

Instructors:
Dr. John Ruser - President, WCRI
Alex Swedlow - President, CWCI

For CE information, contact support@workcompcentral.com

Overview: 
Are we doing enough in the workers compensation industry to innovate by incorporating technology and data into our daily business processes? What can we use today to drive innovation and what will be available to us in the future? This session will explore current capabilities in the areas of technology, data and research. Many advanced technologies are in use today in other industries such as commercial/group health, telecommunications and retail, to name a few. We will also de-mystify topics such as machine learning, pharmacogenomics, biometrics and the internet of things (IOT) with an honest look forward to what the future will bring. Several real-world examples of cross-industry innovations will be presented that are occurring today and coming in the near future. Many of which may be applied to workers compensation.

Speakers:
William Zachry - Sedgwick (moderator)
Cliff Belliveau - myMatrixx
Marcos Iglesias, MD - Broadspire
Gregory Moore, MPH - Kain Capital
Phil Walls, RPH - myMatrixx

Discussion:

• Virtues of precise and short communication
• Consequences of delayed or erroneous communication
• When, Where, and Why communication by substitutes can go wrong
• Ways to assure that injured workers, adjusters, and physicians receive the right information quickly and completely

Instructor:

Steve Cattolica: Legislative Advocate - AdvoCal

Overview:
Words matter, and people's perceptions shape their opinions and affect their outcomes. How does the language we use affect the recovery for those we serve within the workers compensation system? How does a lexicon impact attitudes and actions that influence priorities and motivations? How is the industry perceived by those outside it, and do those perceptions create financial and human cost? How can we improve workers compensation with just the words we use?

This session will discuss how a change in our industry nomenclature can dramatically affect the direction of a recovering worker's future. Presenters will offer alternative concepts for the future of our industry, where function and recovery are emphasized in a system that communicates clearly with those it serves, and where impairment does not have to become disability.

Instructors:
Bryan Connor - American Airlines
Mark Pew - The Preferred Medical
Bob Wilson - WorkersCompensation.com

This week Robert & Steve give thanks to friends, colleagues & those that we love for their contribution to our success.  Additionally, Robert & Steve discuss the fires that have raged Southern California, Global Warming & Robert gives a special segment on how to pass the California bar exam.  All that, plus news of the week for you employees, employers & independent contractors on this edition of Work Comp Matters.

This week Steve, Robert & Mike discuss George Herbert Walker Bush, Self Driving Cars and all the other News of the Week. Steve discusses his lunch meeting with President & CEO of WorkCompCentral.com, Kristen Chavez. All that, plus news of the week for you employees, employers & independent contractors on this edition of Work Comp Matters.

Steve Interviews Michael Burgis, The Law Offices of Michael Burgis & Associates – we talk about his Personal life, business life & workers compensation matters.

This week on Work Comp matters Steve interviews the President and CEO of Work Comp Central, Kristen Chavez. In addition to talking about how she started at the company, Kristen also discusses her role as leader, her hiring and firing practices and also the direction that Work Comp Central is going into the future. All this plus news of the week makes this one show you definitely do not want to miss. 

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mike, Robert & Ted discuss all the events of 2018 that we liked & disliked.  An update from John Scalia.  Topics include WCAB, Immigration, Trump’s Wall, March For Our Lives, Guns, Laura Wilson, Breathalyzers, and much more.

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mike & Robert discuss Donald Trump, Gavin Newsom, the LA School Board Strike, Strippers in the Bay Area and much more.  An update from John Scalia from Munich. 

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mike & Robert discuss LA School Board Strike (LAUSD), Nancy Pelosi, Donald Trump, Work Comp Central Update and much more. An update from John Scalia from Munich, Germany.

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mike, Robert & Brother Marc of AppellLaw.com, discuss Counting The Homeless the end of LAUSD Strike, PG&E, Bay Area Restaurant Chain Settlement, QME Applications, Retrofitting California Homes in addition to John Scalia from Munich, Germany, Daniel Brin from West Hills and much much more.

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mike, Ted, Robert, discuss Dr. Bruce Fishman and an email from his attorney, Howard Kapp, his felony conviction & workers compensation issues. Also, John Scalia from Munich, Germany and much much more.

This week on Work Comp matters Steve Robert and Mike talk about President Trump's State of the Union address in addition to the top two stories on workcompcentral.com plus John Scalis from Munich and some news talk and hopefully some answers for independent contractors employers and employees.

This week on Work Comp matter Steve Robert Mike Interp had a talk about the State of the State address by governor Gavin Newsom, President Trump, plus additional news talk and hopefully some answers for independent contractors employers and employees in addition to John Scalia from Munich Germany.

This week on Work Comp matters myself, Mike, And Robert talk about Donald Trump‘s wall in addition to the Work Comp Central.com story of the week and the news of the week for you independent contractors employers and employees. Also on the show from Munich Germany is retired attorney John Scalia talking about Donald Trump‘s wall and another segment from Daniel Brin on the street talking about what else, the wall.

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Ted, Mike & Guest, Saul Alweiss (Workers Compensation Extraordinaire Attorney), discuss alternative dispute resolution, workers compensation carveouts, dealing with opposing counsel, evaluating evidence, deposing doctors & applicants plus additional news, talk and hopefully some answers for our independent contractors employers and employees. Also, John Scalia Sr. from Munich, Germany and much, much more.

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mike, Robert & Special Guest, John McNeely (29 year Workers Compensation Hearing Representative), discusses experiences in workers compensation dealing with co-counsel, adjusters & judges, additionally doing a song with Robert (The Law Offices of Robert Ozeran) on doing a song called “Jessie’s Files”, plus additional news, talk and hopefully some answers for our independent contractors employers and employees. Also, John Scalia Sr. from Munich, Germany and much, much more.

During this episode of Work Comp Matters Steve, Robert, Mike & Ted talk about governor Gavin Newsom placing a stay on the death penalty, the Nationwide college admissions scandal regarding fraudulent admissions, Uber settling a class action suit for $20 million dollars and the death of Worker's Compensation Commissioner Frank Brass, plus additional news, talk and hopefully some answers for our independent contractors’ employers and employees.  Also, John Scalia Sr. from Munich, Germany, Daniel Brin from the street and much, much more.

During this addition of Work Comp matters Steve provides his solution to the homeless problem. Also during the show Steve Mike and Robert talk about marijuana, e-cigarette's, PG&E,Recent major league baseball contracts Plus some additional talk news and hopefully some answers involving work comp matters.

During this edition of Work Comp matters, Steve Mike and Robert talk about the Mueller report, the investigative report on Christine Baker at the Department of industrial Relations, the investigative report at the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the expansion of the smoking ban in Los Angeles county, the Affordable Care Act, and the monkey business between Jesse Smollett and Michelle Obama.

This week on Work Comp Matters, your hosts get really touchy-feely and talk about Joe Biden, Christine Baker, Dr. Bruce Fishman, Puerto Rico and PG&E. Plus additional news, talk and hopefully some answers for our independent contractors’ employers and employees. Also, John Scalia Sr. from Munich, Germany.

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mark, Mike and Robert talk about the college bribery admissions scandal in addition to United States attorney general bar’s testimony before Congress. And a Northern California neurosurgeon being arrested for fraud. All this plus California current events that interest employers employees and independent contractors. Plus John Scalia from Munich, Germany.

Overview:

This program offers expert instruction and advice on rating, while providing the students with the upper hand in everyday issues with your cases. Students will walk away with an understanding of how to deal with permanent disability issues, rating instructions, formal ratings, and how to cross-examine the rater. In addition, students will find out what a Judge is looking for when deciding a rating issue.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Differentiate between disability and impairment
• Describe the anatomy of a medical report and substantial evidence
• Explain what makes a vocational expert report substantial evidence
• Cross-examine a medical and vocational experts
• Discuss adding vs combining impairments
• Recall apportionment: 4662(A), 4662(b), 4663, 4664, Hikida, and "vocational apportionment"
• Interpret Fitzpatrick and 100% PD awards "according to fact" per Section 4662(b)
• Recognize Almaraz/Guzman ratings
• Question the pain add-on criteria
• Outline chapters 1 and 2 of the AMA Guides, 5th Edition
• Discuss current cases and trends regarding disability and apportionment issues

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Hon. Clint Feddersen
Hon. Robert Rassp
Hon. William Carero
Kenneth Kingdon, Esq.
Allan Fensten, Esq.

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mark, Robert and Mike talk about Kim Kardashian West and her desire to become a lawyer. Also, the topics of discussion include all the California current events that interest you employers, employees and independent contractors in addition to the madman across the water, John Scalia Sr. from Munich, Germany.

Overview:

This program will enhance each student's ability to identify poor quality evaluations and erroneous ratings. Dr. Chris Brigham will provide an insider's perspective and practical guidance.


Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• Explain why it is imperative to obtain accurate, unbiased impairment ratings
• Describe the magnitude of the problem and what causes erroneous ratings
• Outline a 3-step model of prevention of health problems and apply this to impairment ratings
• Explain how to identify erroneous impairment ratings
• List "red flags" suggesting an erroneous evaluation
• Explain how to manage erroneous evaluations

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructor:

Christopher Brigham, MD

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mark Reed, Robert and Mike talk about the Measles and the anti-vaccine, Police use of force, State Compensation Insurance Fund Utilization Review, and Los Angeles attorney Elizabeth Greenwood suing the City of Los Angeles. Also, Dr. Mike Zima on the Mueller report plus additional news, talk and hopefully some answers for our independent contractors’ employers and employees. Also, John Scalia Sr. from Munich, Germany.

This week on Work Comp matters, Steve cries out for help from Dr. Michael Slutzker to give him a call regarding one of his patients who is also Steve's client.  Additionally, topics of discussion for the roundtable this week are Burger King, the measles, Christine Baker, and the situation in Venezuela. Plus, John Scalia from Munich Germany talking about the differences between communism and socialism and capitalism.

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve and the guys talk about relevant issues for your employees, employers and independent contractors. In addition to the new Uber IPO and the following lift stock price, as well as whether or not their drivers are employees or independent contractors. Additionally we also talk about measles and whether or not it is a national emergency. Gavin Newsom wants to remove taxes on diapers and menstrual products. Schools are understaffed with not enough nurses, and too many people are always texting and driving.

This program includes over 120 hours of state-required training to become a licensed Claims Adjuster in California as set forth in Sections 2592 and 11761 of the California Insurance Code. This WorkCompCentral Credential program is completely online, allowing the student to work at their own pace. This curriculum has been recently updated and examines current laws, practices, and concepts.

Program Objectives:

Upon successful completition of this program, the student will be able to:

• Discuss the history of workers' compensation
• Identitfy the role of the claims adjuster
• Explain cause of injury
• Deconstruct medical treatment and medical evidence
• Classify workers' compensation benefits
• Define permanent disability
• Examine the inner workings of the WCAB
• Discuss litigation and developing the record
• Interpret liens, subrogations and fee schedules
• Describe insurance policies and principles
• Evaluate recent trends, developments and hot topics

Instructors:

This course includes special presentations delivered by engaging, knowledgeable and highly respected industry experts such as:

• Hon. Colleen Casey
• Dr. Chris Brigham
• Frank Christine, III, Esq.
• Hon. Robert Rassp
• Jeffrey Adelson, Esq.
• plus many other leaders in the field

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This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Marc, Mike and Ted talk about Gavin Newsom and the new budget, as well as the new worker's compensation case regarding catastrophic injuries. Abortion, the Middle East, the continuing opioid crisis, and what the federal communications commission is doing about autonomous cars will also be discussed. Plus, John Scalia will join from Munich Germany.

Overview:

Whether you are an employer, claims examiner, medical provider or attorney, this program will provide you with a clear understanding and practical approach of how the MTUS and Formulary to avoid treatment denials and to expedite treatment and avoid UR & IMR denials.


Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completition of this program, the student will be able to:

• Define the MTUS & Formulary
• Identify the MTUS (ACOEM) Chronic Pain Guideline
• Write reports to avoid denials
• Recognize REED MDGuidelines

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructors:

Dr. Steven Feinberg, MD - Feinberg Medical Group
Lucy Shannon, Director of Editorial Research and Development - Reed Group
Joe Guerriero, Senior Vice President - Reed Group MDGuidelines Division

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve is celebrating his birthday in Las Vegas. Therefore, it’s up to Robert Mike and Marc to discuss the warriors who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom‘s. The guys also talk about the recent abortion controversy in addition to news of the week for employees, employers, and independent contractors, in addition to John Scalia from Munich German.

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve and the guys talk about the Quest Diagnostic data breach that affects almost 12,000,000 people. Additionally, the guys report on the Work Comp Central story involving California suing Purdue Pharma, bullet train monkey business, the status of toxic coffee, 4000 employees of Kaiser about to go on strike, in addition to the homeless count in California going up. Plus, the madman across the water John Scalia in Munich, Germany.

Overview:

This webinar provides a guide to handling cases of serious and willful misconduct of employers. Examining various reviews and practice hints, Frank Christine III, Esq. will offer a review of the Labor Code, recent cases, and practice pointers to hone in a legal skill set.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Define serious and willful misconduct
• Differentiate specific and CT injury claims
• Discovery
• Analyze relevant case law
• Appraise penalty assessment

Credits: 

This course qualifies for "Participatory" educational credit hours in California.

Instructor:

Frank Christine III, Esq., Tobin Lucks

Overview:

Hon. Clint Feddersen designed this course to prepare experienced workers' compensation attorneys to become California Certified Legal Specialists in Workers' Compensation Law.

Program Learning Outcomes:

This test preparation training series will provide a review of the following topics that may be on the examination:

• Ethics and Professional Responsibility
• Remedies and Defenses
• Time for Direct Q&A

Instructor:

Hon. Clint Feddersen - Workers' Compensation Judge - Van Nuys WCAB

Overview:

This 3-part series instructed by Hon. Clint Feddersen is designed to prepare experienced workers' compensation attorneys to become California Certified Legal Specialists in Workers' Compensation Law.

Program Learning Outcomes:

This test preparation training will provide a quick but comprehensive review of all areas of workers' compensation law that may be on the examination, including:

• Ethics and Professional Responsibility
• Remedies and Defenses
• Practice Procedures
• Medical Issues
• Disability Evaluation and Apportionment
• Test strategies will also be provided

Instructor:

Hon. Clint Feddersen - Workers' Compensation Judge - Van Nuys WCAB

Overview:

Hon. Clint Feddersen designed this course to prepare experienced workers' compensation attorneys to become California Certified Legal Specialists in Workers' Compensation Law.

Program Learning Outcomes:

This test preparation training series will provide a review of the following topics that may be on the examination:

• Practice and Procedures
• Medical Issues
• Time for Direct Q&A

Instructor:

Hon. Clint Feddersen - Workers' Compensation Judge - Van Nuys WCAB

Overview:

Hon. Clint Feddersen designed this course to prepare experienced workers' compensation attorneys to become California Certified Legal Specialists in Workers' Compensation Law.

Program Learning Outcomes:

This test preparation training series will provide a review of the following topics that may be on the examination:

• Disability Evaluation and Apportionment
• Summary and Test Strategies
• Time for Direct Q&A

Instructor:

Hon. Clint Feddersen - Workers' Compensation Judge - Van Nuys WCAB

Overview:

Join Judges Myrle Petty and Robert Hill as they discuss vital liens updates for the entire spectrum of Work Comp professionals. Law, procedure and important changes will be covered in detail. This annual event will provide the specialty tools needed for success. 

Program Learning Topics:

Upon completion of this program, students will have a better understanding on varius topics, including:

• Cost pettions under Labor Code Section 5811
• Interpreter Issues
• IBR Petitions
• Non-IBR Petitions
• Special topics
• Copy Service liens
• Labor Code Section 4615 stays
• Declarations-requirements and validity
• Trial preparation, burden of proof and trial pointers
• Sanctions

Overview:

Learn about significant new case law in 2019, including a stimulating analysis of what you need to know and how to apply them in your workers' compensation practice.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Updated knowledge of case law in 2019.
• Providing underutilized strategies to implement in everyone's law practice.
• Improving your workers' compensation practice and procedures.

Instructors:

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Course Overview:

The property and casualty insurance industry traditionally lags when adopting new technologies. Most of us joke about it on convention room floors and during happy hours, but in recent years, technology and the concept of digital transformation has accelerated at an incredible pace. It is resonating through almost every aspect of the claims journey by way of technology-enabled apps, cloud technology, rapid advancements in clinical and operational systems, staffing, and overall culture. In this webinar, we will review some of the technological advancements that are transforming the property and casualty insurance industry.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this webinar session, participants will be able to:

1. Conceptualize 5G and understand its benefits.
2. Define artificial intelligence and provide examples of usage.
3. Explain delivery platform requirements and identify popular platforms.
4. Define IoT devices and list some of the data captured using said devices.
5. Classify AI-Powered Platforms that do not require specialized equipment.
6. Discuss EHS Apps and some of their uses
7. Understand how AI drives predictive analytics and what the discipline strives to achieve.

Instructors:
 
 Nikki Jackson
 Zack Craft
 Dr. Claire Muselman
 Melora Copeland

Instructor:
Brenna Hampton, Esq.
     Office Managing Partner, Hanna Brophy, San Diego Office