An Online Event

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Morning, Afternoon, and Lunch Breaks

Our Spring Conference traditionally focuses on medical treatment and benefit management issues, and this year is no exception. We've assembled a great panel of experts to provide updates on treatment issues, ideas on physical rehabilitation, the latest at the Department's Office of Medical Director, and some legal & legislative updates impacting workers' compensation. This year's conference will also feature a couple sessions that focus on spinal injuries and rehabilitation.

For one low price, this conference offers great content and continuing education credits for professionals in: 

Self-Insured & State Fund Claims Handling | Safety & Health | TPAs | Law, Legislative & Regulatory | Nurse Case Management | Disability Management | Vocational Rehabilitation | Human Resources

Early Medical Intervention Strategies

Tricia Daniel, RN, Principal, NurseWorks Northwest
Martha Molina de Gandarias, Workers' Compensation Claims Advocate, REI Co-Op

Open the day with a guided discussion around early medical intervention strategies and examples of how self-insured employers strive to provide exceptional care for injured workers through relationships with occupational medical and nurse case managers. Attendees will have opportunity to engage with the speakers and share their own insights through the chat dialog feature.

Chiropractic Health Care for Injured Workers

Lee Caton, PT, Peoples' Injury Network NW
George Miskovic, DC, Midway Chiropractic

What should employers and adjudicators expect of quality chiropractic care and how do you identify it? Dr. George Miskovic and Lee Caton will discuss chiropractic health care within the Washington workers’ comp system and how chiropractic providers are trained and credentialed to care for workers and conduct Independent Medical Examinations.

New Work Rehabilitation Guidelines

Morgan Young, DC, Department of Labor & Industries
Panel Members of L&I/IICAC

With the recent update of the Work Rehabilitation Guidelines led by the Office of Medical Director and Industrial Insurance Chiropractic Advisory Committee, Dr. Young will lead the discussion around the development and stakeholder processes and the anticipated improvements in worker recovery. We will also hear from some of the IICAC members involved in the development of the new guidelines.

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome

Benjamin Chia, MD, Edmonds Orthopedic Center

With the shoulder conservative care resource next up for review by the IICAC, we'll take a look at one of the most complicated joints in the human body. Dr. Chia will focus on the shoulder and one of the most dreaded diagnosis in shoulder recovery: Frozen Shoulder Syndrome.

New L&I Lumbar Spine Surgery Guidelines

Gary Franklin, MD, Medical Director, Department of Labor & Industries
Molly Dutton, Occupational Nurse Consultant, Department of Labor & Industries
Zachary Gray, Epidemiologist, Department of Labor & Industries

With the recent update of the treatment guidelines for the lumbar spine led by the Office of Medical Director and Industrial Insurance Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Franklin will discuss the development and stakeholder processes and the anticipated improvements in worker recovery.

Federal Medicare and Medicaid Considerations for Claim Settlement Agreements

Michelle A. Allan, Esq., Allan Koba Compliance Solutions

Following the recent liberalization of claims resolution settlement agreements in Washington, we want to brief members on a potential exposure that is not always considered -- the federal government's interest in its own funds that may be impacted by a settlement. This session will provide an understanding of the Federal Medicare and Medicaid programs as they apply to Washington workers’ compensation claim settlement agreements and allow adjudicators and counsel to recognize and identify how to properly construct settlement agreements for workers within federal guidelines.

Washington Legislative Update

Kris Tefft, WSIA

WSIA's Executive Director and chief lobbyist will give a heads-up on all of the activity during the 2022 legislative session (scheduled to conclude March 10, 2022) impacting workers' compensation and workplace safety policy.

Downloadable Conference Agenda

Special thanks to Conference Sponsor:

Got news, updates, services, or anything you want to share with Washington's self-insured community? Want to support the event and WSIA's broader work? We've got sponsorship recognition space throughout our lead-up to the conference, including opportunities on camera during the event. Contact Kari Heinold to work out a custom package that's perfect for your company or click here to view our sponsorship packages.

Continuing Education Credits

WSIA will award 6 continuing education credit hours for the Washington Workers' Compensation Professional (WWCP) recertification. The following additional professional development credentials will be available to attendees:

• L&I CEU - Applied for
• CDMS - Applied for
• WSBA CLE - Applied for
• SHRM  6 recertification credits
• CRCC - Applied for
• CCMC - Applied for

Pricing

WSIA Members - $199

Additional members from same organization - $150 each

Non-members - $349 (Not a member? Click here to join today!)

Cancellation Information

No refunds will be given for cancellations made after March 14, 2022.