Blog

Strong networks in conjunction with a solid care model provide pathways to address injured worker mental-health challenges

… Products, Coventry. Kate has over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry with an emphasis in network development and leadership as well as being a contributing author to … challenges present numerous hurdles for injured workers even in “normal” times. Now, because of the extraordinary fallout from the pandemic, it’s imperative to ensure that injured workers … begin to arise. This is critical because we continue to develop a better understanding of the often-inextricable links between physical and mental soundness. For example, one study of …
News Release

More States Pass Opioid Prescribing Limit Laws—Congress Also Weighs In

… significant increase over 2016. Deaths involving any opioid increased to 47,600. The one area of hope was a slight decrease in overdose deaths due to prescription opioids. ( CDC ) As … continue to plague states across the country, more states are looking to limit prescribing of opioids for acute pain. The 2017 data on prescription opioid deaths indicates that the prescribing limits and the attention being paid to the dangers of opioids may be having some effect …
Article

WCF Insurance Proves that Doing the Right Thing is Good for Business

… VP Claims Operations at WCF Insurance   According to the NIH , roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them. Like many states across the U.S., in … month. In addition to the staggering statistics, employees at WCF were witnessing the effects of opioid abuse first hand. Community members, including their friends and family, were going down paths that they never intended, unable to function on high doses of medication, detaching from their spouses, children and the world around them. Something had to …
Article

What is the Coventry Outcomes-Based Network Program?

… With over 15 years of historical data, the Coventry Outcomes-based Network Program (OBN) is a subset of the Coventry Integrated Network. The program provides a channeling mechanism to health care … return to work and financial outcomes when compared to their peers. When implementing an outcomes-based network program, an employer’s strategic focus shifts from unit-cost reductions …
Article

Six Questions with Olivier Baudoux on Automation in Claims and Collision Repair

… Olivier Baudoux, Senior Vice President of Product, Marketing and Artificial Intelligence for Mitchell’s Auto Physical Damage division shares his vision for the future of claims automation.   … the consumer experience so everything we do is centered around this mission. After an accident, it can take anywhere from a few days to potentially weeks or months to get settlement of a claim. At Mitchell, we are very much working through ways to automate every step of that …
Case Study

Independence Day

… adjusters trust to ensure injured workers receive the best care in a timely manner. Below is an example of how Ms. Hurley helped an injured worker with life-threatening injuries reach his highest functional potential.   … A workplace explosion blasted the employee down an elevator shaft and slammed him to the bottom, causing fractures to his skull, face, hip and … Though the worker’s injuries were so catastrophic that return-to-work career paths were not an option, Ms. Hurley developed an excellent working relationship with him and his family to …
Author

Shahin Hatamian

… Shahin Hatamian is senior vice president of product management for the Casualty Solutions Group. Shahin is responsible for product … initiatives for Mitchell auto casualty and workers’ compensation solutions. With over 20 years of high-tech industry experience, Shahin has an extensive and proven knowledge of product development, marketing, organizational leadership, …
Article

Why Your Bodily Injury Adjusters Are Overloaded with Work, Hint: You Might Be Asking Them to Focus on the Wrong Things

… Workload is the number one cause of stress in the workplace, when compared with other factors including people issues, work-life balance and lack of job security, according to Statista. Overworked employees can lead to stress and burnout, which ultimately has a negative effect on an organization’s bottom line , since it can lead to a decrease in productivity, more potential … to fully understand each claim and effectively negotiate an accurate settlement every time. On top of that, third party adjusters typically face many administrative tasks that can take them …
Article

From Airbnb to Uber: How Peer to Peer Insurance is Transforming the Insurance Industry

… If you’ve ever taken Uber or stayed in an Airbnb, then you’ve participated in the peer-to-peer economy. Interestingly, Uber, which was founded in 2009, currently has a valuation of $62 billion. The company is on track to deliver 3 billion rides by the end of 2016—and the word “Uber”—as in “No need to pick me up. I’ll Uber,”—has gone from company name …
Article

Bridging the Gap for New Adjusters with Innovative Tools

… A common challenge for many adjusters is a lack of medical knowledge, which can significantly impact their ability to assess claims accurately. … proficiency and confidence through hands-on experience over time, the initial understanding of medical diagnoses and procedures can be a daunting hurdle for newcomers. This is where … This innovative tool features an outline of the human body shaded in blue, helping adjusters to visualize and comprehend medical claims …
Case Study

Motoring Toward Recovery

… Case managers will often tell you they “see miracles happen” in their line of work. What many don’t tell you, however, is the vital role they play in helping workers who … An automotive manufacturer employee was test driving a car off the assembly line when the brakes … as his outpatient care and worked closely with the adjuster to facilitate prompt reimbursement of all expenses.  Three months after intensive rehab, the employee was released at a …
Article

Everyday Insurance Analytics: Using Data at Every Level

… Data analytics have now permeated most levels of insurance company organizations, creating exciting new opportunities but also some interesting … experts to help decision makers navigate what can seem to be uncharted waters or a flood of information. The challenge insurance companies face is making data accessible to a wide range of stakeholders who have little experience in the field of data science in a way that enables …
Article

5 Must-Know Home Modification Tips

… Managing an injured employee’s transition back to daily life involves more than just overseeing their … and healing environments, fostering a setting where injured employees can regain their sense of self-sufficiency.  … Considerations might include whether their disabilities are temporary or permanent, the types of equipment they use (e.g., wheelchairs or lifts) and their overall mobility challenges. This …
Article

Medicare Secondary Payer Updates

… and Medicaid Services (CMS) have once again pushed back the date for rolling out Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to address future medical obligations in liability and no-fault matters.  … choices possible by providing them and their representatives with the opportunity to select an option for meeting future medical obligations that fits their individual circumstances, while also protecting the Medicare Trust Fund. According to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website (reginfo.gov) the timetable for release of …
Article

Medicare Secondary Payer Updates

… and Medicaid Services (CMS) have once again pushed back the date for rolling out Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to address future medical obligations in liability and no-fault matters.  … choices possible by providing them and their representatives with the opportunity to select an option for meeting future medical obligations that fits their individual circumstances, while also protecting the Medicare Trust Fund. According to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website (reginfo.gov) the timetable for release of …
Article

Ask the Pharmacist: Generic Equivalent

… Are there times when it’s better to dispense a brand drug instead of its generic equivalent? Before answering that it would be good to briefly review some basic … generic medications.  The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) is responsible for the approval of drugs in the U.S. In the case of a new drug, the process usually begins with “Discovery”. The … Research” phase where animal testing is applied. The drug manufacturer can then apply for an “Investigational New Drug” (IND) application. If approved, the IND would allow the drug …
Conference

NORTHEAST 2022

… Northeast 2022 is an event tailored to fit the needs of today’s professionals representing all walks of the automotive repair industry. Whether you are looking to gain industry knowledge, …
Article

Empowering Employees to Make Informed Decisions

… someone had given you at a time when you didn’t need them? I’m venturing to guess many of us would feel apprehensive about partaking in a journey without guidance, and that’s how most … programs offer employers the ability to provide a professional guide to employees at the time of injury. Much like a navigation system helps drivers, nurse triage programs are designed to guide employees to choose the right level of care for their specific injury. …
Article

Augmented Reality & Artificial Intelligence in Insurance

… How Smart Glasses, Augmented Reality & Artificial Intelligence Are Changing the World of Insurance … , smart glasses hit the market in 2013 and have shown that they’re here to stay. Delivering an augmented reality experience that takes computing to the next level, glasses such as the … will grow to almost $20 billion by 2022. According to Robert Scoble and Shel Israel, authors of “ The Fourth Transformation ,” we’ve entered an exciting stage in technology transformation, …
News Release

Collision Claims Increased by More Than 30% While Average Severity Plateaued for Battery Electric Vehicles Last Year

… —Mitchell, an Enlyte company and leading technology and information provider for the  Property & Casualty (P&C) claims and  Collision Repair industries, today announced the latest release of its Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights report. This edition features an overview of the most notable annual trends in battery electric vehicle (BEV), mild hybrid electric vehicle … for repairable BEVs was relatively flat at $6,236 in the U.S., a year-over-year decrease of 3%, and $7,241 in Canada, a year-over-year increase of 2%. For mild and plug-in hybrids, …
Article

Specialty Solutions Spotlight: Top Work-Related Injury Causes & Costs

… about the most common and costly injuries is crucial to navigating the complexities of cases. This knowledge provides claims professionals with a thorough understanding of potential challenges, enabling them to make more effective decisions with greater insight. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data , private industry employers reported 2.3 million nonfatal workplace … Top injuries/exposures involving days away from work, job transfer or restriction (reported from …
Article

Specialty Solutions Spotlight: Transportation Services in Workers’ Comp

… How are transportation services utilized in workers’ comp and why are they important to an injured employee’s recovery? Consider what might happen if an injured employee confined to a … to arrange his/her own ride to the doctor’s office or transportation to work during a period of transitional duty. Would a private driver’s car have adequate trunk space to safely store the … or even how to safely help riders. The drivers must also consider the often-unique needs of injured employees. Maybe someone needs a bit more time to get down to the street from an …
CE Webinar

Pain Management: Pharmacologic Alternatives to Opioids

… In this webinar, we will learn about the pain pathway and the different types of pain as well as review the efficacy and adverse event profile of opioids. We’ll also learn pharmacologic alternatives to opioids and their recommended use, associated risks, and guideline-supported place in the treatment of work-related pain conditions, and gain a deeper understanding of the available interventions … disability guidelines that shows for certain conditions, there is clinical support for the use of a spinal cord stimulator. The guidelines outline several stipulations recommending spinal cord …
Article

Safeguarding Medicare's Interests: Strategies and Updates

… under Section 111. This reporting process ensures that both Medicare and the insurer are aware of the individual’s Medicare status, facilitating proper coordination of benefits. … An MSA is a fund designated to cover future medical expenses related to the claim. By setting … ensure that the injured party has resources available for future treatments, reducing the risk of Medicare shouldering the costs. … Accurate Section 111 reporting is a key element of Medicare compliance. This process requires payers to report claims where they’ve accepted …
Article

Focusing on a Physical Work Injury Could Mean Missing a Mental Health Challenge

… When an injury occurs employees place trust in their employer to provide reliable claim professionals, … the mental health challenges that often go hand-in-hand with a physical injury. Identifying an injured employee’s comprehensive needs is more important than ever. Compounding stress can … Is the injury creating problems at home or with family?  Is the employee experiencing feelings of isolation? … active listening and behavioral coaching can facilitate improvement  Talk therapy can serve as an appropriate treatment for mental health obstacles …
News Release

Enlyte Sweeps Muse Awards With Four Wins

… Awards for 2023. The announcement marks consecutive years Enlyte has been named a winner of the Muse Creative Award—an international competition for creative professionals “who inspire others to greater heights.” … representing countries all over the world, the international MUSE Creative Awards are a series of competitions hosted by the International Awards Associate (IAA), an organization that has …
Podcast

Managing the Labor Challenge: Provider Networks

… As new adjusters enter the workplace there are so many unique facets of the industry that they need to learn about. This includes finding the best providers to help injured employees get back to work as quickly as possible. In Part 3 of our podcast series on workforce strategies, Kate Farley-Agee offers insight on how provider networks can help with these decision-making processes. Kate, because of turnover occurring in insurance markets, there are a lot of new adjusters who don't have a lot …
News Release

Minnesota, Montana and Wyoming Pass Opioid Prescribing Limit Laws

… Opioids continue to garner the attention of policymakers across the country. States are looking at patient opioid agreements, warning … consent. There were more than 90 opioid-related bills in state houses this year. While most of the state legislatures have adjourned for the year, in the flurry of activity on opioid-related laws, three more state legislatures passed bills restricting the … requirement for drug manufacturers and distributors, requiring them to report the delivery of all opiates into the state. In an effort to continue to address the opioid problem in …