I really have no directly citable evidence that more men than women are killed by lightning while on the job; rather I have a correlated argument for that assertion. As a bonus, I think I know why that is the case. A study just released shows that an overwhelming percentage of US lightning strike deaths…
Unexpected Confessions of a Medicaid Scammer
Stealing can be tough and dirty work, and dag nab it, people within the realm of that profession expect their fair due. So, what does one do, when they have partnered with another, endeavored to deceive and then have the partner fail to pay them their due? Why, the answer seems obvious. You file a…
Predicting the Future of Workers' Comp with the Obamacare Call Centers
I wish to be plainly transparent with my bias before we start. I believe The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, colloquially known as Obamacare, was poorly conceived, poorly written, shoddily legislated, and has been poorly executed to date. I predict that Obamacare will be a debacle of epic proportions, actually resulting in fewer adequately…
Please Respond to the HSA Opioid Survey
Health Strategy Associates has launched an Opioid Survey for the workers' compensation industry. It appears to be a comprehensive effort to better understand use, utilization and understanding of opioids within the workers' compensation industry. I would recommend that all of us commit a few minutes out of our day to contribute our knowledge and experience…
Fighting My Colonoscopy in the Year of Hellness and Wealth
This was supposed to be the year of Wellness and Health, but it doesn’t seem to be working out that way. More like hellness and wealth, sans the wealth part. We started the year with an intent to blog about various ways to stay healthy in the workplace, and help influence a healthier workforce. However,…
Vetoing Public Service Presumptions in New Jersey
The position of public servant has certainly been in the public eye the last several years. Often the last to feel the bitter effects of recession or cutbacks, they seem to scream the loudest when the pain, or perceived pain, finally reaches them – or threatens to reach them. Just this week, in a story…
Stopping By The Desk To Find You Are a Loser
It was a single sour note in an otherwise well produced musical. The final day of the AASCIF conference, during the opening notes, they announced that a number of people had been selected in a drawing to receive backstage passes to that evenings closing gala. The lucky winners would get a “meet and greet” with…
Shooting the Intern for the Sins of the Media
It is quite possible that Ron Burgundy is the smartest guy in the news reporting business. Burgundy, the trendy yet intellectually bereft 1970’s anchorman played by Will Ferrell in the movie “Anchorman”, has nothing on the cast of characters that generated the most ridiculous story of the year last week. First, we have the reporter,…
Hiding Your Stuff Amidst Verbal Vomit
I’ve had a bit more time to cogitate over the presentation given by author Thom Singer last Monday at the AASCIF 2013 annual conference in Austin, TX. In that presentation Singer spoke of ways to improve our networking abilities and personal relationships with others. Two of the specific things he mentioned were “verbal vomit” and…
An Engaged Carrier Can Improve Care While Lowering Pharmacy Costs
There was a truly enlightening session today at the AASCIF 2013 conference in Austin, TX. Dr. Nicholas Tsourmas, Medical Director for Texas Mutual, gave an in depth look at the program his company used to reduce pharmaceutical abuses that were both costing them money and hurting injured workers care. Bottom line? An engaged company can…