California Work Comp Doctors Walk Tightrope

Caught between employers and injured workers, work comp doctors are on the block as potential scapegoats if savings are not realized by the SB899 new law in California.

(PRWEB) October 5, 2004 -- Medical Provider Networks (MPNs) are scheduled to start Jan. 1, 2005 in which doctors must satisfy the needs of captive injured workers and satisfy the cost effectiveness of treatment or they are out the door. They are to follow mandatory guidelines for treatment and yet satisfy all parties involved, including the insurance companies, without much leeway in the way they are to practice.

A recently published book, "Strategies in Workers' Compensation", appears on the scene to help with this dilemma. It provides a guide for medical providers and various stakeholders in dealing with the difficult patient in Workers Compensation which comprise 10% of injured workers. But, they account for 60-80% of the costs.

The book was written by Richard E Sall MD who is board certified in Occupational Medicine, General Surgery, and Forensic Medicine. His experience and training has resulted in an extensive knowledge of workers compensation and the many pitfalls associated with it. He feels that managing the difficult patient is the key to controlling costs in the system. He is currently practicing in Southern California.

The price of the book is $27.00 and available at Amazon.com or by the publisher: Hamilton Books at www.univpress.com.

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