I spent Thursday traveling to and from Arkansas, for the sole purpose of emceeing the Annual Kids’ Chance of Arkansas Scholarship Awards Luncheon. It was held in the Governors’ Mansion in Little Rock. The facility was beautiful. The food was excellent. The kids were, as with all Kids’ Chance scholars, inspirational. Still, there was something…
Social Security Numbers and Workers' Comp Forms: California Here We Come
I don’t really enjoy discussing mistakes, but it is an unavoidable part of life and business. Some people will tell you that if you are not making mistakes, then you just aren’t doing anything. I take some solace in that theory, as it proves that we are at least doing things – enough to occasionally…
Rousmaniere and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Peter Rousmaniere made an excellent point last week with his column, The Stale State of Reform. In it he discussed our industry’s almost myopic focus on cost whenever legislative reform is discussed. He rightly pointed out that, not only is the focus of most reform centered on reducing costs through restricting or reducing benefits to…
Nevada's Pandemic Pot Panic
Never has the statement “Follow the money” been truer. Last week, the state of Nevada, which began allowing the sale of recreational marijuana on July 1, 2017, declared a “State of Emergency” because – wait for it – the state was running out of pot. Apparently, demand is very high, and (typical of government) the…
The Billboard Advisory: Work Injuries Hurt Entire Families
There are two billboards along Interstate 476, just south of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Both reside high on a hilltop, and are positioned on opposite sides of the highway with strong visibility for oncoming traffic. Based on a deep blue background, they contain two prominent lines. The first, a bright white pronouncement, says “Work Injuries Hurt.” The…
Can We Create a Reliable Medical Records Pipeline?
It was just a passing comment during a pretty creative presentation; but it really stood out for me. The Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators (SAWCA) is currently producing it’s 69th Annual Conference here in Pinehurst, NC. The session, a “skit” about the torturous claims process of a specific injured worker, starred numerous regulators and…
Your Participation Needed: Claims Operational Study, Final Week
Many of you have probably seen invitations for the 2017 Work Comp Benchmarking Survey. It’s now the final week and, if you’ve not yet participated, I encourage you to do so. Past studies, published by Rising Medical Solutions and authored by my respected friend Denise Algire, provide some great performance metrics and strategies for addressing…
Goats Appear to be the Latest Threat to US Workforce
First there was illegal immigration. Then there was automation. Now an article out of Michigan this morning could herald the next big wave of challenges to the labor force in this country. The Battle Creek Enquirer writes that a labor union has filed a grievance against a herd of goats. Specifically, it tells us: The…
When it Comes to Photographs, I Can't Catch a Break
Some people in life are just naturally photogenic. No matter what the situation, they look beautiful in photographs. They could have their photo taken while being pulled out of an overturned and burning septic truck, and still manage to look put together and attractive. I am not one of those people. Not by a long…