Workers Compensation Indiana - workers compensation news and information

The Guest Guru: A Year in Review

From case management to safety, from the legal perspective to the management perspective, from back surgery to plastic surgery, over the course of the last twelve months our guest gurus have provided you with information and education to give you an excerpt into their lives within work comp.

The Biggest Problem in Today's Work Environment:Work Comp

In 2011, all featured guest guru's spoke with us about the challenges within their arena of work comp. Topping the list of challenges (within all industries featured); communication, managing patient expectations and inexperience.

Our take on the biggest problem in today's work environment is the involvement of all of those issues. They are all correct and they are all intertwined within work comp. In 2012, we hope to bring additional guest gurus who provide an increased awareness of information and education regarding work comp.

So take a look back at our 2011 guest gurus. We hope you enjoyed the topics and interviews as much as we enjoyed working with them.

2011 Guest Gurus

Paul Kraemer, MD Indiana Spine Group

Ronald K. Downs, M.D., F.A.C.S., The Centre for Working Hands

Robert Fanning, Partner at Due Doyle Fanning, LLP

Nan Millikan, Work Comp Manager, OrthoIndy

Lisa Napier, Claims Manager, Downey Public Risk Underwriters

2011 Guest Gurus

Mark Steinhofer, Certified Safety Professional, Safety Management Group

Dwight Tyndall, MD Spine Care Specialists

Ann Stewart, Counsel, Ice Miller, LLP

Darlene S. Commons, RN, CCM, CDMS, Assistant Vice President, MedInsights

Shaun Kondamuri, MD Midwest Interventional Spine Specialists

Sally Ferguson, District Manager for the CorVel Corporation

Spotlight: Guest Guru Philosophy

Becoming a guest guru gave each individual an opportunity to show the WCGuru audience his or her own passion and knowledge regarding work comp. The information shared with the WCGuru audience educated our readers and empowered them to truly understand issues within an individual industry.

This is why WGuru.com works with each guest guru and its organization to talk about what really matters and what our audience will learn. At a recent seminar, we overheard attendees describing our guest guru page.

"Its the person in the newsletter, you know - where the expert tells us what we need to know about work comp."

And in a nutshell, that is the guest guru philosophy. We look forward to our 2012 guest gurus and we take pride in bringing you the experts who will tell you what you need to know about work comp.

2011 Guest Guru take-aways

Each Guest Guru was given the challenge of presenting a "Top Ten", a list of ten things people need to know. We have selected ten(from various past guest gurus) to share with you.

Top Ten Take Aways

1. Believe in coaching clients to success though behaviors and actions. Safety Management Group places special emphasis on helping clients feel empowered in not just identifying Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) aspects, but how to abate these workplace issues through audits, written processes, and continued reinforcement of why it is important to have safety as a core value and not just a priority.- Mark Steinhofer, Safety Management Group

2. MYTH: Our workforce is getting healthier. The reality: personal behavior and lifestyle choices made by our working population tend to lead to more obesity. Conservatively, 20-25% of the adult population is obese. Obesity along with reduced regular exercise leads to more disease and injury. Shaun Kondamuri, MD Midwest Interventional Spine Specialists

3. Our people are our greatest resource. Organizations can have exceptional technology, extensive financial resources and well thought-out policies. But these same organizations can fail - due to lack of human mind power and dedication. MedInsights has succeeded because of the dedication and contributions of our employees. Darlene S. Commons, RN, CCM, CDMS, Assistant Vice President, MedInsights

4. Develop relationships with colleagues. Successfully resolving a worker's compensation dispute involves interaction with opposing counsel, Board personnel, and, sometimes, the claimant. Being involved with the worker's compensation community is an important part of our practice. It is important to understand all the issues and personalities involved when negotiating, mediating, or litigating a claim. Ann Stewart, Counsel, Ice Miller, LLP

5. We take into consideration all factors when developing a comprehensive and effective treatment plan. The injured worker and his/her care is the product of many factors. Often times in evaluating the injured worker, all factors (work environment, social issues, other health concerns) that affect the injured worker’s recovery should be considered. Dwight Tyndall, MD Spine Care Specialists

6.Direction of medical care is extremely important. Indiana is one of the few states that allow direction of medical care and we should make the most of that right. Referring injured workers to quality physicians, with expertise in handling worker’s compensation, benefits everyone involved in the claim. Lisa Napier, Claims Manager, Downey Public Risk Underwriters

7.The WC Department works as a team. When we receive a call from anyone in the WC Community we listen, and your need becomes our priority. We always appreciate your patience when we need to research or go to another dept to obtain the answer to your questions, or find an appointment. Nan Millikan, Work Comp Manager, OrthoIndy

8. Place claim file materials, especially medical records, in chronological order. It is confusing to review any file, whether correspondence, pleadings, medical records or claim notes, which is not in chronological order. The best way to review and understand medical records is to arrange the records by date, not by provider, so that the course of care may be readily understood – making sure that the identity of the provider remains clear. Robert Fanning, Partner at Due Doyle Fanning, LLP

9. Plastic Surgeons as hand surgeons bring a unique perspective to Workers Compensation. We have unique training that allows us to be experts in hand reconstruction, to restore function, but also adding in the aesthetic component. We are also experts in complex wound care which unfortunately can complicate these types of injuries. Ronald K. Downs, M.D., F.A.C.S., The Centre for Working Hands

10. Our Focus is Our Patient’s. Recognizing that back and neck injuries can often be overwhelming, our goal is to work with patients to help them understand their treatment options. Our physicians and health care team take the time to listen to patients, address their concerns and educate them on all of their treatment options. Paul Kraemer, MD Indiana Spine Group