Podcast

Empowering Injured Workers

…   There’s been a lot of talk about injured worker advocacy and empowerment in workers’ compensation. But what exactly does that mean? Genex’s 2017 Heart of Case Management Award winner Lisa Armstrong, BSN, CRRN, RN-BC , has a few ideas to keep your … I’m Tom Kerr. There’s been a lot of talk recently about injured worker advocacy and empowerment in workers’ compensation. But what exactly does that mean? 2017 Heart of Case Management Award winner Lisa Armstrong has a few ideas, and she joins us today to share …
Blog

Networks Support Telemedicine for Continued Care

… evaluate, diagnose and treat. When a provider’s office is closed it can significantly impact an employee’s ability to return to work. As injured workers faced temporary office closures, … for patients to be virtually evaluated and treated by a medical professional from the comfort of their home, office or practically anywhere with an internet connection. While telemedicine is … beyond our nurse triage program. Our network team immediately started reaching out to our top providers across the country to confirm whether they had telemedicine accessibility.  The …
Author

Wayne Krause

… Wayne Krause is the director of the Auto Physical Damage Content division. He joined Mitchell in 1987 and has held numerous … roles as technician, teacher, business owner and insurance claims expert. Considered an authority on most automotive topics including repair techniques and diagnostics, he is an active member of many industry boards and committees. Wayne is also the California state chair for I-CAR and an …
Article

Michigan Auto No-Fault Reform: What You Need to Know About the Fee Schedule

… As Michigan continues its historic auto no-fault reform , one of the most critical aspects for insurance carriers to be aware of is the new fee schedule, which will go into effect in 2021. Below, we’ve outlined the … fee schedule will work and what carriers need to know now based on our current understanding of the bill.  … if the provider has a charge description master (pricing tier 2), which is basically a menu of services, that outlines the amount payable for that treatment. If that is not available, they …
Blog

It's time to rethink how we talk about Specialty Networks

… to caregiving in workers’ compensation. Ancillary, as the name implies, leads people to think of such services as miscellaneous and extra, a secondary need. But for workers struggling to recover from an injury, these services are more properly thought of as essential, not just nice-to-haves. After all, diagnostic imaging, physical medicine, …
Blog

Why do customers love live chat?

… surface is Live Chat. When discussing with our users, it seems that the opportunity to address an issue the moment it arises is what they like most. Even if the issue is not immediately resolved, it can be quickly escalated by one of our customer service representatives to someone who can help. … others). There’s rarely a wait time, an answer is provided instantly, and the transcription of the conversation can easily be saved. Plus, live chat allows people to multi-task, and in an …
Article

Accelerating Recovery and Return to Work: The Case for Case Management

… In workers’ compensation, one of the most effective ways to reduce claim duration and associated costs is to get injured … Several scenarios can delay or derail an injured employee’s transition back to work. Case managers are uniquely equipped to intervene …  When an injured employee is placed on light duty but isn’t progressing toward regular duty, case … Case managers coordinate with employers to assess and adjust job demands, reducing the risk of further setbacks. …
Article

Ask The Pharmacist: Brand Name Versus Generic Medications in Workers’ Compensation

… 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 …
Article

Building a Strong Company Culture For Better Outcomes, Brand Beliefs, and Behaviors.

… what they want the company experience to be and deliberate action to drive it into all aspects of the business—including the employee and customer experience. At Mitchell , our culture is closely tied to our brand promise of better outcomes, brand beliefs and behaviors, something we collectively call The Mitchell Way. … An Inside Out Approach … Mitchell has taken an inside out approach to culture, with the expectation that it will have a direct, positive …
Article

Could Virtual Reality Be the Next Treatment for Chronic Pain?

… tool to help fight chronic pain? A recent FDA approval suggests VR treatment may be part of the expanding use of technology for medical treatments. On November 16, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration … .  The EaseVRx program consists of 56 VR sessions that are 2-16 minutes long as part of an eight-week treatment program. The FDA authorized EaseVRx based on an eight-week study of 179 …
Article

Could Virtual Reality Be the Next Treatment for Chronic Pain?

… tool to help fight chronic pain? A recent FDA approval suggests VR treatment may be part of the expanding use of technology for medical treatments. On November 16, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration … .  The EaseVRx program consists of 56 VR sessions that are 2-16 minutes long as part of an eight-week treatment program. The FDA authorized EaseVRx based on an eight-week study of 179 …
Podcast

Case Severity: What Factors are You Missing in Delayed RTW Cases?

… your severity rating score doesn’t add up. Genex’s Mariellen Blue, RN, CCM , national director of case management services, explains in this podcast.  … multimedia series in which subject matter experts discuss problems and offer solutions to top issues affecting our industry. I’m Tom Kerr and today we’re speaking with Mariellen Blue … Whenever an individual sustains a work-related injury or illness, the length of treatment and the disability duration can vary significantly from person to person. And our …
Article

Our Improved Insurance Compliance Software Helps Users Make the Right Decisions

… have a daunting task when it comes to handling injury claims within the rapidly evolving world of regulatory compliance. As requirements constantly evolve, the number of insurance policies and injury claims an insurer/payor services in each jurisdiction can create an abundance of complex and … So how can payors stay abreast of the changes and keep up with the regulatory environment? … Through access to a single repository and web- based portal comprising of the most current regulatory rules and jurisdiction-based information. A web-based portal …
News Release

Crash Champions and Mitchell Expand Collaboration to Transform Collision Repair Through Advanced Technology

… and repair efficiency SAN DIEGO, CA and CHICAGO, IL— Mitchell , a leader in the development of innovative auto physical damage solutions, and Crash Champions , one of the nation’s fastest-growing, founder-led collision repair providers, today announced a … we consistently challenge industry norms and push the boundaries of innovation to deliver an exceptional experience for our customers and business partners,” said Matt Ebert , founder and …
Blog

Pharmacy Nurse – When specialized attention is what’s needed

… Workers’ comp pharmacy costs represent approximately 18% of total medical spend. That translates to $5 billion in pharmacy spend nationwide. 1 Most employers and payors utilize Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) which offer an excellent line of defense in managing these ever-increasing pharmacy costs. But PBMs, by design, only manage the … workers and claims professionals to positively impact drug utilization on a claim. Analysis of drug treatment and prescribing patterns, along with patient demographic information and …
Article

Five P&C Hot Topics and the Trends Fueling Them

… reality is being used to train doctors, create architectural models, and test the safety of new car models in a virtual setting before manufacturing them. It’s easier to see the potential benefits of augmented reality. It could, for instance, be used to guide complex repairs in high-risk … growth. Markets and Markets predicts a compound annual growth rate of 33 percent through 2021 —an increase in market value of more than $500 billion. virtual reality Connected home devices can …
Article

Technology Integrations Are Transforming How Pharmacy Benefits Managers Monitor Drug Therapies

… The Claim Journey—an Opportunity for Impact … In workers’ compensation, we often talk about the journey of a claim, but when an employee is injured on the job, it is the beginning of a journey for them, too. Each decision point in the claim lifecycle is an opportunity for the … For a program to be successful, it is recommended to support adjustors with a combination of technology and services to be able to connect the claim at all these critical …
Blog

How to Find the Best Providers

… Providers can significantly contribute to the success of a workers’ comp claim, so finding the best ones to assign to a case is key to positive … So, let’s start with the basics, what are some of the factors those in the industry should look for in selecting the best providers? … in our model are those that provide the best outcomes. So, it's a very subjective evaluation of the providers. We are also concerned with their ability to work with adjusters and case …
Article

Mitchell Collision Repair Industry Data: Q2 2017

… in Q2 2017, was $3,046. Continued development suggests a final Q2 2017 average appraisal value of $3,143, which represents an increase of $122 compared to the same quarter last year.   Average Appraisal Values, ACVs and Age … Losses Mitchell’s Q2 2017 data reflects an initial average gross collision appraisal value of $3,257, which matches the same period last year. However, continued development suggests a …
Article

Will We See Human Interaction Disappear with AI in Insurance?

… at how it is changing the way consumers interact with their insurance company and the ability of insurance companies to deliver optimal claims experiences—and ultimately, better outcomes. And … Today, consumers own an average of 3.64 connected devices each, and it’s a given that they expect a seamless digital … Machine learning is a type of AI that allows computers to analyze large amounts of data, extract meaning, and actually learn …
Article

Specialty Solutions Spotlight: Accessing Quality Workers' Compensation Diagnostic Imaging

… costs? Diagnostic imaging and radiology play a significant role in workers’ compensation. When an employee is injured on the job, obtaining accurate diagnostic imaging is crucial for assessing the severity of the injury and developing an effective treatment plan. Diagnostic imaging is often the first … flat. This is why access to quality diagnostic imaging facilities is critical to the success of a workers' compensation claim and ensuring the best possible outcome for the injured employee. …
Article

Using Negotiation Services for Best Third-Party Claims Savings

… claims can be challenging for adjusters, so we invited Chris Williamson, senior manager of product management at Mitchell, to explain some solutions to make the process run a little … : And let’s start with that. Can you provide an overview of the negotiation services that you use? … But what we’ve put in place is a system to build on the relationships and knowledge we have of providers in the industry. And reaching out to them and securing adjustments on those bills. …
Podcast

Using Negotiation Services for Best Third Party Claims Savings

… claims can be challenging for adjusters, so we invited Chris Williamson, senior manager of product management at Mitchell, to explain some solutions to make the process run a little … : And let’s start with that. Can you provide an overview of the negotiation services that you use?  … But what we’ve put in place is a system to build on the relationships and knowledge we have of providers in the industry. And reaching out to them and securing adjustments on those bills.  …
Article

Go Paperless: How Electronic Payment and Billing Solutions Help Digitize the Claims Process

… workers’ compensation industries. Further digitizing the claims process can provide a variety of benefits for payors and claimants alike, including improving the consumer experience, boosting … continue to build and enhance their global digitization strategies, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many opportunities and areas to apply technology across the … process. Electronic payment and billing solutions can help claims organizations down the path of achieving a paperless claims workflow, helping to improve efficiencies, data quality and …
White Paper

Mental Health Challenges

… someone gets hurt on the job, the workers’ compensation system is often adept at zeroing in on an injury and delivering timely care. But that well-intentioned focus on a patient’s physical … mental-health toll the episode might be exacting. Failing to do so risks treating only part of an injury and achieving an insufficient recovery. Today, a comprehensive approach that identifies …
News Release

Mitchell Issues Second Quarter 2018 Industry Trends Report

… Mitchell, a leading provider of technology, connectivity and information solutions to the Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance … Repair industries, today released its Industry Trends Report (ITR) for the second quarter of 2018. The report includes a deep dive into how data analytics are now embedded into most … of insurance organizations, presenting both challenges and opportunities. It also includes an exploration of how utilization review and precertification can help reduce unnecessary medical …
Article

A Team Approach to Building a Better Return-to-Work Program

… a highly structured return-to-work program have seen significant reductions in the number of lost time days due to workplace injury. In developing and implementing these programs, case … parties. It is vital to understand the employers return-to-work philosophy and availability of modified or transitional work. The case manager takes into consideration the injured employee, … (RTWS). The first step is the initial contact with the injured worker as it sets the tone for an early, appropriate, safe return to work. The initial contact is called a meet-and-greet or …
Article

The Top 6 Uses for Diagnostic Imaging in Workers’ Comp

… injured employees and employers. From providing crucial insights into the nature and severity of injuries to guiding targeted treatment plans, imaging is integral to facilitating informed decision making and optimizing an effective return-to-work process. In workers’ compensation diagnostic imaging is used to: … » Provides non-invasive views of internal structures, aiding health care professionals in assessing injuries and detecting …