NU Spotlights National Trends At Comp Conference

For the seventh consecutive year, National Underwriter has put together the National Trends program for the Workers' Compensation Educational Conference, taking place in Orlando from Aug. 16-19.

Editor In Chief Sam Friedman works in conjunction with the Florida Workers' Compensation Institute to assemble six panels and an industry keynote speaker to supplement a conference program featuring dozens of sessions targeted at claims managers, adjusters, underwriters, agents and brokers, risk managers, litigators and workplace injury rehabilitation specialists.

For more information about the complete conference program, and to register, go to http://www.fwciweb.org/Conference.html.

On Monday, Aug. 17, the National Trends program kicks off during the General Session, featuring industry keynoter Terry Fleming, vice president of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, as well as director of the Division of Risk Management for Montgomery County, Md.

Mr. Fleming will offer the buyers' view of the workers' comp market. As the individual in charge of government relations at the nation's leading risk management association, Mr. Flemming will also address the major legislative issues facing the workers' comp market.

That afternoon, two panels are presented.

The first is "Tech To The Rescue: Can Predictive Analytics Save Workers' Comp?" A panel of modeling experts will discuss how insurers and their risk management clients can get a better handle on their respective workers' comp exposures using the latest technology tools and techniques.

That will be followed by "Red Alert! Unconventional Threats To The Workers' Comp System." A trio of experts will examine:

o How to reconcile benefit and treatment delivery to older workers with the demands of Medicare Set-Asides.

o The "sleeping giant" of employer's liability as legal reforms erode exclusive remedy protections and more states allow intentional or gross negligence suits.

o Unusual claim trends, providing a head's up on emerging workplace exposures and other unusual comp developments.

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, four additional panels will be offered on the National Trends program.

The first will look at the "State of the Market," including four perspectives on the latest trends in workers' comp, including:

o A "By The Numbers" presentation by NCCI, focusing on the workers' comp insurance industry's financial health and claim trends.

o An examination of how the recession will impact workers' comp exposures.

o The latest on how insurers are keeping a lid on soaring medical care and drug costs.

o Tips from a leading risk management consultant providing the buyer's view of costs, safety, loss control and back-to-work efforts.

Immediately following that will be "The Broker Perspective: The View From The Front Lines." Three leading brokers handling different types of buyers--representing a national mega-broker, a rising middle-market firm and an award-winning independent agency--will provide market intelligence about what underwriters and risk managers should expect when placing their next workers' comp renewal.

Tuesday afternoon will begin with a panel on "The Search For Excellence In Workers' Comp Risk Management," featuring the three winners in the third annual "NU Award For Excellence in Workers' Compensation Risk Management."

The trio--joined by a representative of NCCI, which sponsored the award program--will share the secrets of their success in loss control and safety, back-to-work-programs, claims management, fraud prevention, insurer and broker relations, gaining senior management support, and making sure everyone is on the same page across the organization.

The National Trend program concludes with a panel on "Physicians, Heal Thyselves: Tackling Healthcare Industry Workers' Comp Challenges." An expert panel addresses the workers' comp threats confronting one of the country's few growing employment sectors, including the unique risks facing major hospital systems, as well as claims trends at assisted living and nursing home facilities.

If you would like to be considered for a spot on the 2010 National Trends program, contact Mr. Friedman at sfriedman@nuco.com.