Just like the novel coronavirus itself, the emergence of so-called long COVID has surprised both the patients who couldn’t shake their symptoms and the clinicians who have struggled to provide effective treatments. Now, as the U.S. looks to move past the pandemic, there remain unanswered questions about how this fallout from the virus might hamper some workers and for how long. These uncertainties could have important implications for workers’ compensation. By some measures, one in four patients who get COVID-19—even those with mild or asymptomatic cases—will experience subsequent symptoms that range from muscle and nerve pain to breathing difficulties to anxiety and depression. The scope of the challenge will require providers and employers to better understand the nature of the conditions, their origins, and the best paths for treatment. Watch this on-demand webinar to learn more about long COVID and the implications for workers and employers.
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Communication is Key to Ending Disparity
A couple years ago, Genex surveyed our case managers to determine the common claims pitfalls they avoid to keep claims on track. Among the top five factors were two that seemed relatively easy to remedy: communication issues and patient noncompliance.
Building Trust With Injured LGBTQ Employees
Learn how inclusive communication and culturally competent care can build trust and improve outcomes for injured LGBTQ+ employees in workers’ compensation.
Value-Based Contracting
Value-based contracting (VBC) is one of the most talked-about topics at conferences, in stewardship meetings, and in workers’ compensation requests for proposal (RFPs). But for all the discussion around the term, one thing seems missing: a common definition. VBC seems fairly straight-forward to most observers and that might be part of the problem. Indeed, ask a half dozen people what value-based contracting means and you’ll get as many answers.
Beyond Boundaries: How an Injured Worker Became an Inspiration for All
As a case manager, a big part of my job is to motivate and advocate for injured workers. However, I often find that my inspiration to meet these goals stems from the workers themselves. Such is the case with Todd Eckley, a land surveyor who sustained an incomplete C6-7 fracture, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down and with limited use of his hands.
Beyond Boundaries: How an Injured Worker Became an Inspiration for All
As a case manager, a big part of my job is to motivate and advocate for injured workers.
Opioid Management in Workers’ Comp: Is Case Management the Missing Link?
Opioid abuse has been in the crosshairs of workers’ comp regulators for the past decade. While there have been some hits and misses in the industry’s attempts to control these substances, gaining a better understanding of the roots of the problem and what companies are doing to address it, has led to better solutions. That’s why I was fascinated with the recent piece by noted columnist Peter Rousmaniere, “Getting Off Opioids.”