The California Workers’ Compensation Institute has scheduled a one-day seminar in March in San Francisco and Long Beach to introduce industry professionals to new regulations that implement key provisions of SB 863, the 2012 workers’ compensation reform bill.

The program, designed to help claims adjusters and managers, medical utilization reviewers, attorneys, hearing reps, and other workers’ compensation professionals gain a practical understanding of the regulations and avoid costly mistakes. The seminar will include speaker presentations and panel discussions covering rules and regulations governing the new independent medical review, independent bill review, and qualified medical evaluator processes; new fee schedules (RBRVS physician fee schedule, inpatient hospital fee schedule, outpatient facility fee schedule); DWC and WCAB lien regulations; the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit revisions; and the new interpreter certification standards. The speakers also will conduct a question and answer session at the end of the program.

The seminar faculty includes defense attorneys Victor Andersen of Finnegan, Marks, Theofel & Desmond and David M. Skaggs, Managing Attorney, Claims Litigation Department of Pacific Compensation Insurance Company; Debra Russell, workers’ compensation director for Schools Insurance Authority; CWCI Claims and Medical Director Brenda Ramirez; and CWCI General Counsel Mike McClain.

The Institute will present the seminar from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3 at the Parc 55 Wyndham Hotel in San Francisco and Wednesday, March 5 at The Grand Long Beach Event Center. Tuition is $375, or $275 for employees of CWCI member companies. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as space is limited and the deadline for CWCI to receive all registrations with full payment is Friday, February 28.

CWCI will be applying to be a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider (5 hours). The Institute also will provide certificates of attendance for submission to the Association of Hearing Representatives of California, and for individuals seeking California Department of Insurance claims adjuster and medical bill reviewer certification requirements or other professional certifications. Details and registration information are available in the Seminar section of the Institute’s website, click here or by calling           510-251-9470.