CWCI Posts MPN Regulatory Training Program as an On-Demand Webinar
New regulations governing California workers’ compensation medical provider networks took effect on August 28, but because they were adopted as emergency regulations, the community had very little lead to become familiar with the content and implications of the final regulations.
To help workers’ compensation professionals get up to speed quickly on the revised regulations, last month the Institute conducted a half-day on-line seminar to review the impact of these changes on the development, maintenance and operation of MPNs; the revised notice requirements; the new penalty provisions; the updated MPN access standards; and the new medical access assistant requirement. While the focus of the program was on MPNs, information also was provided on recent changes to the Outpatient Facility Fee Schedule, which took effect September 1, and changes to the predesignation and chiropractor treating physician requirements, which took effect July 1.
This training program was only conducted on September 18, and not everyone who wanted to attend was able to do so. However, CWCI did record the session for those who were unable to attend and for anyone else who may be interested in the program. The Institute is now offering the recorded program as a pay-per-view, on-demand webinar.
The program, “What You Need to Know About New MPN Regs and Other Recent Regulatory Revisions,” runs for 3 hours and 18 minutes, and the material is presented by CWCI Claims and Medical Director Brenda Ramirez, CWCI Senior Research Associate Stacy Jones, and Ann Taintor, Regional Medical Coordinator for Liberty Mutual and Chair of CWCI’s Medical Care Committee. CWCI General Counsel Mike McClain provides legal insight and moderates the program, and Institute President Alex Swedlow ll discusses CWCI research that examines the use of MPNs in California.
Those who register for the on-demand webinar will receive a link to the course materials, which include a downloadable PDF of the course syllabus and the slides used during the program. They will also receive access to a summary of the questions and answers from the September 18 program.
Each individual who registers can qualify for post-designation training hours, and if they convene in a classroom setting with an instructor, can receive credit toward Department of Insurance claims adjuster certification requirements. Tuition is $125 for CWCI member company employees, $175 for nonmembers, with group rates for companies enrolling 5 or more employees (call 510-251-9470 for group pricing). It’s a great way to train staff without expensive travel or time out of the office, and the on-demand feature allows them to view programs either in part, or in total, anytime within the next two months. For details or to register, go to the Seminar section at www.cwci.org.