The California Workers’ Compensation Institute has announced it will hold a one-day seminar in October at three locations to help workers’ compensation professionals prepare for the statutory and regulatory changes brought about by passage of AB 749, the $2.4 billion benefit increase bill signed by Governor Davis earlier this year.
Many of the provisions of AB 749, including the first phase of benefit increases, are slated to take effect January 1, 2003. The seminar will review benefit levels and payment issues, earnings issues, questions regarding eligibility and the potential for litigation; changes affecting medical care and treatment costs (including changes in the primary treater’s presumption, HCO’s and medical confidentiality); issues surrounding the settlement of vocational rehabilitation and return to work programs; and administrative issues such as changes in the state’s audit and benefit notice requirements.
Proposed regulations that will impact implementation of the statute are still being fleshed out, and the state has scheduled public hearings on several proposals next month. That leaves claims administrators and others who need to understand and implement the changes little lead-time to familiarize themselves with the new statutory and regulatory revisions, adjust their systems, and train staff.
Mike McClain, CWCI general counsel, said, “Because of the short time frame and the need to educate the community quickly, the seminar will focus on the practical implications of AB 749—how the changes will affect those who handle claims and help administer the system, including claims administrators, attorneys, hearing reps, nurses, medical case managers and rehab professionals. We’ll also look at many of the changes in the context of current case law, which is increasingly defining how the system is run.”
The Institute will present the AB 749 seminar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Oct. 21 in Irvine, Calif.; Oct. 22 in Woodland Hills, Calif.; and Oct. 23 in San Francisco. The cost, including all course materials and a luncheon, is $295 for CWCI nonmembers, $195 for CWCI members, and $175 for CWCI member company employees who register 3 or more attendees together with a single payment postmarked or transmitted by Sept. 27. For more information visit www.cwci.org or call Mel Long at 510-663-1063.
Topics Legislation
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