| Time (Central) |
Program |
| 8:15 a.m. |
Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 8:50 a.m. |
Welcome and Introductions
James M. Anderson, Anderson Crawley & Burke PLLC, Ridgeland, MS |
| 9:00 a.m. |
Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls in the Defense of Workers' Compensation Claims
This panel presentation will discuss a carrier’s legal ethics, professional responsibilities, and regulatory duties with particular emphasis on the following aspects: confidentiality (including of medical records), privacy and ethics; unfair claim practices; prompt payment of claims; and key tips on how to avoid administrative violations and, if they occur, how to appropriately deal with them.
Moderator
Steven M. Tipton, Flahive Ogden & Latson PC, Austin, TX
Diana Johnson, Gallagher Bassett, Austin, TX
Desiree Tolbert, Sedgwick, Orlando, FL |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Refreshment Break |
| 10:20 a.m. |
Medical Assessment of Common Syndromes: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Chronic Pain Syndrome, and Post-Concussion Syndrome
Controversy continues to surround these "syndromes." Why? What are the objective diagnostic criteria and diagnostic tests? What treatments are recommended and not recommended? Why? What else can it be (Differential Diagnosis)? Are current treatments safe and effective? These questions will be addressed for reach of these syndromes with peer-reviewed references. Attendees will be provided with scientific-based diagnostic criteria necessary to analyze the accuracy of these diagnoses and learn how to apply these skills in handling claims.
Moderator
Jonathan L. Berryhill, Berryhill & Mitchell PC, Birmingham, AL
David Randolph, MD, Ph.D, MPH, Midwest Occupational Health, Cincinnati, OH
Trang Nguyen, MD, Ph.D, MedicusRx, Houston, TX |
| 11:20 a.m. |
The Ever-Changing Legislative and Regulatory Landscape and What It Augers for the Future – Hint… It’s Not All Rosy
Legislatures and agencies craft the laws and rules by which we all work. Here, we will review significant recent trends, and explore how to deal with the consequences—intended or not. Then discover what is perhaps in the pipeline for the future…maybe some surprises.
Moderator
Bobby Stokes, Flahive Ogden & Latson PC, Austin, TX
Tom Glasson, CPCU, Government Affairs Officer, AIG State and Federal Government Affairs, Dallas, TX
Allen T. Craddock, Texas Department of Insurance – Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) |
| 12:20 p.m. |
Networking Lunch |
| 1:05 p.m. |
Federal Law Interplay in Your Workers’ Compensation Settlement
In those jurisdictions where settlements are part of routine claims handling, our current environment requires consideration of some federal laws that can dramatically affect the end result of negotiations as well as the drafting of settlement documents. This distinguished panel will explore those issues from the perspective of Medicare and Medicaid. Tools of paramount interest which can be utilized to address those concerns include Special Needs Trusts as well as Medicare Set Asides, and professional administration of funds designated for either must be a part of the discussion. This distinguished panel will provide updates regarding the laws and rules affecting both Medicare and Medicaid compliance, reimbursement efforts under the programs against claims payers, and how violation of the expectations of those laws can result in the loss of Medicare and/or Medicaid for the injured worker.
Moderator
Rafael Gonzalez, Cattie & Gonzales, Tampa, FL
Will Lindahl, CPT Institute, San Marcos, CA
Shawn Deane, Ametros, Wilmington, MA |
| 2:05 p.m. |
Refreshment Break |
| 2:25 p.m. |
Multi-State Panel – Compensability Fact Pattern
This session will have attorneys from neighboring states compare and contrast the workers’ compensation laws of their states discussing how each state’s laws would apply to a common set of facts.
Moderator
Jeffrey C. Napolitano, Juge, Napolitano, Guilbeau, Ruli & Frieman, Metairie, LA
Daniel P. Culpepper, Anderson Crawley & Burke, PLLC, Ridgeland, MS
Jennifer M. Sullivan, Juge Napolitano Guilbeau Ruli & Frieman, Metairie, LA
R. Scott Zuerker, Ledbetter Cogbill, Arnold, Harrison LLP, Fort Smith, AR
Karen Gail Treece, Lee & Brown LLC, Denver, CO
Leah P. Keele, Latham Stelle Lehman, Tulsa, OK |
| 3:25 p.m. |
Adjourn |