Dr. Hartwig will kick off the 18th Annual Conference by sharing with you his bird’s-eye analysis of the impact of the economic crisis on the workers’ compensation arena. What's more, he'll share a detailed economic outlook for the year ahead. Dr. Hartwig has been with the Insurance Information Institute since 1998, serving as an economist, chief economist and now president. The Institute is generally recognized as the most credible and frequently used source of information and referral for the widely diverse insurance industry.

Carla Cirelli Wynn, Director, WC Programs, Global Risk Management, ARAMARK,
        Philadelphia
Jill Dulich, Senior Director, Marriott Claims Services, Western Region, Santa Ana, Calif.
Mark Noonan, Managing Principal, Casualty Practice, Integro Insurance Brokers, Portsmouth,         RI

Session Level: All
Session Type: Interactive

Wednesday, Nov. 18: 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

The current economic crisis has created many unanticipated challenges at a time when organizations are short-staffed. Difficulties stemming from the financial downturn include settling claims, more stringent Medicare reporting requirements, and pressures to subrogate more often — to name just a few. These three highly respected experts will outline the obstacles they’re facing — ones you most likely are too — and present you with some practical solutions. Come prepared with your questions and to share your ideas and opinions as well.

Carol A. Harnett, Chair, Health and Performance Innovation Institute; Co-Founder,
          Friends at  Play, Simsbury, Conn.
Edwin Quick, Vice President, Disability Management Services, JP  Morgan Chase, Chicago

Session Level: All
Session Type: Interactive

Wednesday, Nov. 18: 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Economic recessions can have surprising impacts on employee absences, including incidental absence and short-term disability. Stressors, including fear of job loss, lead some people to keep working when they may need time away to address health and wellness issues. When they finally take time off, they tend to need more time away. These two nationally recognized IDM experts will examine the impact of the current economy on absence management programs. The speakers will outline the main challenges they’re seeing, identify several management strategies, and discuss your questions and ideas.

Rania V. Sedhom, Principal, Buck Consultants, LLC, New York City

Session Level: Advanced
Session Type: Roundtable Discussion

Wednesday, Nov. 18: 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Data breaches can cost your company plenty. In addition to fines imposed by government regulators and lawsuits, your organization can face irreparable reputational losses if information gets into the wrong hands. But how do you ensure protection of information on employees? How do you know that vital information needed for workers’ comp claims won’t fall prey to unsavory hackers? How can you trust that information available to you remains secure? Ms. Sedhom will present several scenarios and guide you through the practical aspects of obtaining, storing, sharing and destroying private information.

Dr. David Deitz, VP, National Medical Director, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Boston
Dr. Glenn Pransky, Director, Center for Disability Research, Liberty Mutual Research Institute          for Safety and Health, Hopkinton, Mass.

Session Level: All
Session Type: Lecture

Wednesday, Nov. 18: 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Older employees are essential to the workforce: they’re experienced, loyal and reliable. But with age comes a variety of health-related issues that can wreak havoc on your workers’ comp program. Dr. Deitz and Dr. Pransky have unparalleled expertise in occupational issues affecting older workers. They’ll share with you invaluable knowledge and offer practical advice to prevent work-related injuries, manage claims and develop customized return-to-work programs to bring elders back to work. 

Session Level: All
Session Type: Lecture

Wednesday, Nov. 18: 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

You could have the best return-to-work program in the world, but what if there’s no longer any job for the injured worker to return to? Does the workers’ comp claim stay open indefinitely? How does that impact your bottom line? What can you do if your company has been shrunk to a skeleton workforce or acquired by another company? Mr. Pimentel will address these situations and show you how to handle them.

Risk & Insurance^® Magazine's Theodore Roosevelt
Workers' Compensation and Disability Management Awards

Wednesday, Nov. 18: 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

Join us in honoring Risk & Insurance^® Magazine's best workers' compensation and disability management programs of the year. Recognizing excellence and innovation in the workers’ comp and disability communities, the awards honor President Theodore Roosevelt, who pioneered the first federal workers' compensation legislation in the United States.

The Second City — Chicago’s Famous Improvisational Comedy Troupe  

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1:15 – 2 p.m.

Get ready to laugh as Chicago's famed comedy troupe applies its unique brand of humor to the workers' compensation and disability management industries.

Moderator: Yolanda Romero, Director of Workers’ Compensation, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia

Session Level: All
Session Type: Interactive

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2:45 – 4 p.m.

What makes one workers’ comp program stand out from the rest? Find out in this popular interactive session, as this year’s winners of Risk & Insurance^® magazine’s prestigious awards share their success stories and give you an opportunity to pick their brains.

Session Level: All
Session Type: Interactive

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2:45 – 4 p.m.

How can you maintain control of your company's disability management when your organization is being acquired, downsized or merged? Find out from someone who has completed this process on multiple occasions in different organizational settings. Most recently, Mr. Quick led a large integration for his organization as a result of the economic downturn, testing a variety of strategies to keep his disabilities program in check while maintaining the expected service level to the customer – the employees. He’ll share with you what worked, what didn’t, and what you can do when faced with organizational change.

Matthew B. Schiff, Partner, Schiff & Hulbert, Chicago

Session Level: All
Session Type: Lecture

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2:45 – 4 p.m.

While you may not want to understand the minutiae about legal proceedings, there are a few quick tips you need to know — just in case. Chock full of practical advice for anyone involved in the workers’ comp process, Mr. Schiff will share the insights you need if you’re ever faced with litigation. You’ll see real employer victories and learn what worked — and didn’t.

Dr. David Cooper, Director of Orthopedic Surgery, The Knee Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Dr. Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach, Physician, Spine Care and Forensic Medicine, PLLC, Tucson,          Ariz.
James E. Pocius, Shareholder, Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin, Philadelphia

Session Level: All
Session Type: Interactive

Wednesday, Nov. 18: 2:45 – 4 p.m.

There is always some new, high-priced orthopedic apparatus on the market guaranteed to fix anything that ails the injured worker. But how do you know if it's any good? Does FDA approval necessarily certify success, and is it recommended for your work-related injuries? These three popular speakers will review the current scientific data, let you know if the products are worth the expense, and show you how to get the point across in court.

Dennis Downing, CEO, Future Industrial Technologies, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Jay Shelton, EHS Manager, GE InterPark, Chicago

Session Level: Cutting Edge
Session Type: Interactive

Wednesday, Nov. 18: 2:45 – 4 p.m.

Economic downturns demand employers use every method possible to control the frequency and severity of claims. As a result, many businesses are looking at new ways of injury prevention as the best strategy. In this session, you’ll learn a 9-step formula to stop back injuries, carpal tunnel and other sprain/strain injuries — plus hear from an employer who’s having great results using it. You’ll also learn how to get employee buy-in to change physical behavior — crucial to long-term culture change. You’ll leave with new tactics that can be implemented right away to drastically reduce claims in your organization.

Jill Dulich, Senior Director, Marriott Claims Services, Western Region, Marriott International          Inc., Santa Ana, Calif.

Session Level: Cutting Edge
Session Type: Lecture

Thursday, Nov. 19: 8:45 – 10 a.m.

Making your workers’ comp program more effective is crucial in these tough times. Come see how Marriott has implemented unique strategies — such as drug screening injured workers to ensure they’re taking their meds, and using radiology analyses to avoid unnecessary surgeries. Ms. Dulich will give you insight into these and other cutting-edge strategies you can implement in your workplace to improve quality and save money.

Denise Gillen-Algire, RN, Practice Leader, Integrated Health & Productivity Management, Risk         Navigation Group, Albuquerque, N.M.
Alan Turnipseed, Senior Consultant, Risk Navigation Group, Naperville, Ill.

Session Level: All
Session Type: Interactive

Thursday, Nov. 19: 8:45 – 10 a.m.

Demonstrating your worth to an employer or client is crucial at any time — especially when the competition is getting tougher. Knowing how to measure the outcomes of your disability management program against your activities can make all the difference. Focusing on disability management, our speakers will show you why a performance measurement system is vital, identify the key elements of a successful performance measurement system, and dissect the claim life cycle to isolate key performance impact points. You'll learn how to benchmark workers' comp claims and track them to improve overall performance.

James Pocius, Shareholder, Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin, Philadelphia

Session Level: All
Session Type: Ask the Expert

Thursday, Nov. 19: 8:45 – 10 a.m.

As if it hasn’t been hard enough to comply with the rules governing the Medicare Secondary Payer Act, this year’s changes have made it more difficult than ever. Are you doing everything you should? Find out as Mr. Pocius, Chair of the Conference's Legal Program, gets you up to date on the latest regulations and the best ways to comply.

Dr. Teresa Bartlett, Medical Director, Sedgwick CMS, Troy, Mich.
Dr. George Bridgeforth, Medical Director, Concentra Medical Centers, Franklin Park, Ill.
Dr. David Deitz, VP, National Medical Director, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Boston

Session Level: All
Session Type: Interactive

Thursday, Nov. 19: 8:45 – 10 a.m.

Older workers staying in the workforce longer, employees shifting healthcare burdens to the workers’ comp system because of dwindling benefits from their employers, and fears of job loss are just some of the ways the recent economic downturn is impacting the workers’ comp system. Three prestigious panelists will examine the most challenging implications of the economic recession on medical issues in workers’ comp and share solutions they’re using. You'll be invited to pose questions and share your opinion.

Yolanda Romero, Director of Workers’ Compensation, Southeastern Pennsylvania          Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia
Katrina Zitnik, Director Workers' Compensation, Costco Wholesale, Issaquah, Wash.

Session Level: All
Session Type: Roundtable

Thursday, Nov. 19, 8:45 – 10 a.m.

The economic crisis has impacted the workers’ comp system in myriad ways — including return-to-work programs. Pressures to reduce overall work hours as well as employees and supervisors taking on additional tasks can present unique, unexpected challenges to RTW programs — whether or not your organization is facing layoffs. Our speakers, representing the private and public sectors, will solicit your input in advance and lead you and your peers in small group discussions to develop creative solutions.

Richard Pimentel, Senior Partner, Milt Wright and Associates, Granada Hills, Calif.

Thursday, Nov. 19: 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The recession and its resulting stresses can play havoc with your judgment. With profits and stock prices plummeting and jobs disappearing, every difficult claim, financial decision or personnel decision can challenge your value system. Richard Pimentel, a nationally renowned expert on workers' compensation, job retention and attitude change, will take a revealing look at how business and personal ethics can be affected by business strains. Through a series of stories and case studies, he’ll show you how to balance responsibilities to yourself, your organization and your clients.

Carla Cirelli Wynn, AIC, Director, WC Programs, Global Risk Management, ARAMARK,          Philadelphia
Deborah Saunders, Senior Director, Claims Management, Comcast, Philadelphia

Session Level: Workers' Comp 101
Session Type: Lecture

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.

Tried-and-true claims management practices, from putting the right people in the right positions to cutting losses early, can make a huge difference to your bottom line. Both ARAMARK and Comcast have reduced the frequency of claims and cut millions of dollars in their workers’ comp claims costs — even in the current economic environment. Whether you’re from a huge conglomerate or a small entrepreneurial entity, you’ll leave with valuable strategies you can readily implement for improved results.

Dr. David Cooper, Director of Orthopedic Surgery, The Knee Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Jill Dulich, Senior Director, Marriott Claims Services, Western Region, Santa Ana, Calif.
Matthew B. Schiff, Partner, Schiff & Hulbert, Chicago
Daniel J. Sulzner, Loss Prevention Consultant, Midwest Employers Casualty Company,          Chesterfield, Mo.
Linda Yoxtheimer, Assistant Director, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority,          Philadelphia

Moderator: Mark Noonan, Managing Principal, Casualty Practice, Integro Insurance Brokers,          Portsmouth, RI

Session Level: All
Session Type: Lecture

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.

Want to learn 60 of the top strategies used by the nation’s leading workers’ comp experts? Find out what the best minds in the medical, legal, claims, safety and return-to-work areas are thinking in this popular, fast-paced, nothing-but-tips session. You’ll take away an abundance of timely, useable, invaluable ideas.

Lori Doyle Place, Assistant General Counsel and Manager, Enterprise Legal Services, Market          Relations, Liberty Mutual Group, Boston
Ken Latronico, Regional Managing Attorney, Northeast Region, Liberty Mutual Group, Boston

Session Level: All
Session Type: Interactive

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.

Recent legal developments coupled with the changing workers’ comp environment can have devastating effects on your claims that wind up in court — unless you truly understand the intricacies of legal proceedings. In this mock trial, you’ll learn firsthand strategic litigation tips — such as effective ways to handle medical damages, as well as direct and cross examination strategies for medical professionals and various experts. You’ll witness the enactment of a real case, determine what you think the outcome will be, then find out how it was actually decided — and why.

Kimberly George, RN, National Practice Leader for Managed Care, Sedgwick CMS, Chicago
Gregory Moore, President and CEO, Harbor Health Systems, LLC, Lake Forest, Calif.
Sara Paul, Senior Group Manager, Claims Risk Management, Target, Minneapolis

Session Level: Cutting Edge
Session Type: Lecture

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.

The economic recession, combined with an aging workforce, has made the need for quality outcomes-based networks more important than ever. But can you develop one? Our speakers say you can. It just takes the right information, analytical tools and understanding of medical treatment issues. Using claims data, delivery data and claims surveys, you can achieve quality of care — and have pay-for-performance contracts with providers. Come learn a new solution to the economic and medical challenges in workers’ comp and how to measure your success.

Richard Pimentel, Senior Partner, Milt Wright & Associates, Granada Hills, Calif.

Session Level: All
Session Type: Lecture

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.

Your company’s bottom line has likely taken a hit during the economic crisis — probably in some ways you can’t yet see. Whether you’ve had layoffs or not, the overall impact of the economy has created a stressed-out workforce. People concerned about losing their jobs, military veterans returning home, and fears of the future may be causing more workplace accidents and injuries, and longer durations of workers’ comp claims. Mr. Pimentel, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a nationally recognized return-to-work expert, will give you unique solutions to address the emotional toll resulting from economic hardships.

Robert Wilson, President & CEO, WorkersCompensation.com, Sarasota, Fla.

Session Level: All
Session Type: Interactive

Thursday, Nov. 19: 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

Are you getting the most out of new technologies, or are you missing opportunities because you don’t understand, or think you don’t need to know about, the latest gadgets on the market? If terms such as reverse phone searches, Google Earth, WiMax and iPhones make you cringe, this session is for you. Using layman’s terms and humor, Mr. Wilson will demonstrate the latest and greatest technological advances and how they can help you work faster and better, as well as make you more valuable in the workplace.

Milt Wright, Creator and Founder, Milt Wright & Associates, Granada Hills, Calif.

Session Level: Advanced
Session Type: Rountable Discussion

Thursday, Nov. 19, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

What is the biggest challenge to integrating your workers’ comp and disability programs? Imagine a room full of workers’ comp professionals brainstorming about that very obstacle and a noted expert offering his insights as well! You and your fellow attendees will decide the issues you want to discuss and have an opportunity to interact and generate solutions.

Lisa Jurski, Director, Workers' Compensation Programs, HCR ManorCare, Toledo, Ohio
Richard Lenkov, Partner, Bryce Downey & Lenkov, LLC, Chicago

Session Level: Workers' Comp 101
Session Type: Interactive

Thursday, Nov. 19, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

Anyone involved in workers’ comp has had one: the nightmare claim that doesn’t go away, keeps you up at night and makes your life miserable. Instead of allowing these cases to linger, learn tips to close them — whether you’re a claims manager or attorney. Our legal and risk management experts will show you how to turn the tables to gain the upper hand, get opposing counsel to respond to you, move the case forward through motions to dismiss and requests for trial dates, and get the case settled ASAP!

Darrell Brown, Workers' Compensation Practice Lead, Sedgwick Claims Management          Services, Long Beach, Calif.
Mike Weiss, Director, Risk Management, AT&T, Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Session Level: All
Session Type: Roundtable

Friday, Nov. 20: 8:45 - 10 a.m.

As the risk manager for one of the largest communications companies in the world, Mike Weiss has gone through multiple downsizings. Together with Darrell Brown, who’ll provide a TPA’s perspective, these speakers will disclose the strategies they’ve used to prepare the workforce for economic changes and share what worked and what didn’t. They’ll present specific challenges associated with company downsizing and give you an opportunity to develop solutions with your fellow attendees.

Dr. Maria Sciame, Director of Clinical Services, PMSI, Tampa, Fla.

Session Level: All
Session Type: Lecture

Friday, Nov. 20: 8:45 - 10 a.m.

Inappropriate use of medication is a major cost-driver in the workers’ comp pharmacy market, making it essential that you know how to spot and address the offenders. Based on an analysis of 8 million pharmacy claims over a three-year period and an evaluation of more than 2,000 injured workers with drug therapy problems, Dr. Sciame will show you an approach to reduce costs, mitigate risk and improve the care of injured workers — including the use of so-called "off-label" drugs.

Linda Yoxtheimer, Assistant Director, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority         (SEPTA), Philadelphia

Session Level: All
Session Type: Lecture

Friday, Nov. 20, 8:45 – 10 am

Constructing an effective return-to-work program requires the right tools. No one knows that better than Ms. Yoxtheimer — the architect of an award-winning program that serves as a model for companies throughout the country. She’ll share her 19 years of experience and how she developed SEPTA’s RTW plan from scratch. From building the corporate philosophy, to developing a job bank and creating program definitions, timelines and forms, she’ll show you all the components you’ll need for a full toolbox and how to turn it into a program that gets results.

Session Level: All
Session Type: Lecture

Friday, Nov. 20: 10:15 - 11:30 a.m.

You may have to go no further than your own company to find remedies to some of your biggest workers’ comp challenges. Mr. Avitabile manages risk for Major League Baseball, one of the nation’s most complex organizations. He’ll explain how to bring together the workers’ comp leaders of all your remote offices to engage in carefully crafted brainstorming sessions — and develop creative new answers for your most trying workers’ comp issues.

Don R. Powell, President and CEO, American Institute for Preventive Medicine, Farmington        Hills, Mich.

Session Level: All
Session Type: Lecture 

Friday, Nov. 20: 10:15 - 11:30 a.m.

With research showing that wellness programs dramatically cut health-care costs and absenteeism, many companies are beginning to extend the concept to workers’ comp and disability expenses. But the components of these programs and the return on investment they generate can vary widely. Find out the options available, based on your company’s needs. You’ll learn the crucial ingredients to build a successful wellness program, including how to maximize employee participation, address low- and high-risk employees, the implications of psychosocial and legal issues, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of worksite wellness programs for best results.

Frank Alvarez, Esq., Partner, Jackson Lewis LLP, White Plains, N.Y.
Richard Pimentel, Senior Partner, Milt Wright & Associates, Granada Hills, Calif.  

Session Level: All
Session Type: Ask the Expert

Friday, Nov. 20: 10:15 - 11:30 a.m.

The implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act caught many employers by surprise and upended the way they do business. The dynamic duo of Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Pimentel will share significant cases from the past year — what they mean to you, their implications for your business model, and what you’ll need to do to comply with the law and generate the best outcomes for your company and your employees. Plus, get expert answers to your specific questions.