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NWCDC Chairman's Message
NWCDC Topic ‘Wish List’ Released
The team that selects speakers for the National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference & Expo has released a “wish list” of topics they would like to hear presented during this year’s event, December 6-8, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Workers’ compensation and non-occupational disability management professionals wanting to speak during the 26th Annual NWCDC might review the list to see whether those topics match your area of expertise. If so, consider submitting a request for proposal describing your related presentation concept.
But NWCDC’s speaker decision process is not limited to choosing only the topics on the list below. Potential speakers are encouraged to apply their own creativity and expert knowledge to submit additional presentation ideas. The selection group is dedicated to considering proposals from topics across the industry spectrum.
March 10 is the deadline for submitting RFPs
Submitting multiple RFPs is acceptable. Doing so increases your chances of being selected to present and can help distinguish your proposals when NWCDC receives multiple RFPs containing the same general topic idea. For instance, we can only select a limited number of presentations discussing pharmacy management.
So if you desire to speak on pharmacy management, for example, you might submit an RFP on that topic in addition to RFPs on other workers’ comp and non-occupational disability management subjects.
In choosing topics and speakers, the selection committee prefers presenters offering practical solutions that help workers’ comp and disability claims payers and managers resolve difficult and commonly-faced challenges. While we place an emphasis on presentations with practical solutions, there is also room for discussions that enlighten on current trends impacting workers’ comp and disability management.
NWCDC prioritizes proposals that include employers as a presenters. We have learned that our attendees prefer to hear case studies presented by employers that have adopted successful strategies rather than sales pitches offered by service providers.
We also understand, however, that not all presentations can include an employer speaker and we value the knowledge and information that other workers’ comp professionals serving the payer community bring to the conference.
Presentation proposals can focus on new, innovative strategies that reduce injuries and costs. But risk managers, workers’ comp managers, and disability managers are also welcome, for example, to share their experiences with implementing tried-and-true practices at their companies.
NWCDC’s selection committee includes Denise Algire, director, managed care & disability corporate risk at Albertsons Companies; Bill Wainscott, manager, workers’ compensation and occupational health at International Paper; Dan Reynolds, editor-in-chief at Risk & Insurance; and Roberto Ceniceros, NWCDC chair and senior editor at Risk & Insurance®.
Presentation proposal topics that NWCDC’s speaker selection committee are eager to evaluate and select from include:
- HIPAA compliance in managing workers’ compensation claims and safety
- OSHA regulations and strategies for post-accident drug testing
- Leveraging an employee assistance program for workers’ comp and disability claims
- To settle or not settle open claims involving active employees
- Strategies for managing cumulative trauma claims occurring in multiple jurisdictions
- Broker and insurer perspectives on managing claims and vendors
- Strategies for cross-examining medical providers
- ADA, EEOC and FMLA compliance topics
- Preventing and managing contractor and temp worker claims
- Truly engaging medical providers, not just ranking them
- Employers describing how they implemented claims-advocacy programs
- Employer perspectives on how analytics or predictive modeling were applied to impact outcomes
- Injury and claims reporting using apps
- Total worker health impacting occupational and non-occupational claims
- Leveraging the role of TPA claims supervisors
- Nurse and employer perspectives on case management used to facilitate optimal outcomes
- Distracted driving safety initiatives
- Regulators’ perspective on changes occurring in key states
New this year, NWCDC is adding a technology session track that will create opportunities for additional speakers.
In addition to the technology-themed ideas mentioned above — such as injury reporting using apps and employer strategies for applying predictive modeling — other potential technology discussions include telematics use, telemedicine, wearables for safety and claims management, and the state of systems allowing employees to apply for benefits electronically, ask questions, and submit forms.
Questions about submitting speaker RFPs can be directed to Roberto Ceniceros, conference chair, at 208 957-8705 or at [email protected].
