Webinar: Comparing Prices in Group Health vs. Workers' Compensation
Cambridge, MA (PRWEB) November 07, 2013 -- As policymakers and other stakeholders look for ways to control rising healthcare costs in their state workers’ compensation system, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is hosting a webinar to discuss its latest research comparing prices paid in group health vs. workers compensation.
WCRI’s studies (Comparing Workers' Compensation and Group Health Hospital Outpatient Payments and A New Benchmark for Workers' Compensation Fee Schedules: Prices Paid by Commercial Insurers?) show large differences in payments for professional and facility services in many states for the same surgical procedure performed under workers’ compensation vs. group health.
The comparison is important for policymakers and other stakeholders who are looking to control their medical costs in their workers’ compensation system. It also provides a potential new benchmark for states that are looking to update or establish a fee schedule.
Join the author of both reports, Dr. Olesya Fomenko, for an informative one-hour webinar on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 1 p.m. ET (12 p.m. CT, 11 a.m. MT, and 10 a.m. PT). Dr. Fomenko will share findings from both WCRI studies, her insights on the subject, and have an interactive discussion with participants about this important issue.
"Both of these studies have shown that there are large differences in prices paid by workers’ compensation and group health payors in many states. Policymakers looking to contain medical costs in the states mentioned in these reports may want to ask if the difference is necessary to induce hospital outpatient departments as well as practitioners to treat injured workers," said Richard Victor, WCRI’s executive director.
Things you will learn:
• How workers’ compensation prices for common surgeries and office visits compare to the prices paid for the same services by group health
• How workers’ compensation payments for outpatient facility services compare to the payments incurred by group health and is there a relationship between the disparity in reimbursement levels and regulation types
• Advantages and disadvantages of using group health reimbursement rates as a benchmark for workers’ compensation fee schedules
• How a state that is considering a fee schedule would use this research
Attendance is limited to 100 people and all attendees receive a free copy of the slides. Webinars are $39 for WCRI Members; $79 for Non-Members; and no charge for members of the press, legislators as well as their staff, and state public officials who make policy decisions impacting their state’s workers’ compensation system.
Register now by clicking on the following link: http://www.wcrinet.org/11.26.13_webinar_reg.html.
The Cambridge-based WCRI is an independent, non-partisan research center that is recognized as a leader in providing high-quality, objective information about public policy issues involving workers' compensation systems.
About WCRI
WCRI is an independent, not-for-profit research organization based in Cambridge, MA. Organized in late 1983, WCRI does not take positions on the issues it researches; rather, it provides information obtained through studies and data collection efforts, which conform to recognized scientific methods. Objectivity is further ensured through rigorous, unbiased peer review procedures. WCRI’s diverse membership includes employers; insurers; governmental entities; managed care companies; health care providers; insurance regulators; state labor organizations; and state administrative agencies in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. For more information, visit: http://www.wcrinet.org.
Andrew Kenneally, Workers Compensation Research Institute, +1 (617) 661-9274 Ext: 257, [email protected]
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