Workers' Comp Clarion: The Workers' Compensation Commission is pleased to present our first newsletter...

Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission sent this bulletin at 02/01/2016 05:05 PM CST

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An Important Update From Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission

Workers' Comp Clarion

Volume 1 - February 1, 2016

From the Chairman

The Workers’ Compensation Commission is pleased to present our first newsletter, the Workers' Comp Clarion. The idea came about when I was discussing the workers’ compensation process in Oklahoma with a fellow lawyer. My friend suggested that a newsletter might be a good way to provide our stakeholders with information and the expectations of the WCC. It can also be a way to answer general questions and anticipate issues before they arise. This process will provide even greater transparency as to the inner workings of the Commission.

I want to thank our staff, department heads, and Administrative Law Judges for their input. I would also like to thank Holly Miller, our Administrative Director, for her dedication and diligence on this project. If you have suggestions for future articles, please submit them to: communications@wcc.ok.gov.

Bob Gilliland, Chairman

Success in Safety

The only good work accident is the one that never happens. We at the Oklahoma Worker’s Compensation Commission stress workplace safety at every turn. Employers should ensure that your company has an excellent safety program known to all of your employees.

How do you develop a successful safety program?

Successful safety and health systems should have the following...

Legislative Update

After almost two years establishing an administrative system of workers' compensation under the initiating statutes, Title 85A, the new Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission has developed a comprehensive administrative cleanup bill for the 2016 Session of the Oklahoma Legislature.

SB1528 is authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman of Sapulpa. The proposed bill addresses current statutory issues identified by Commission staff as unworkable, outdated, or which can be more efficiently and less expensively administered. New Commissioner, Mark Liotta, who also serves as the Commission's legislative liaison explained this as an effort "to streamline our business model and tighten the nuts and bolts of everyday commission operations," he said. "We evaluated every process and identified cost reductions and service improvements to the injured worker, the employer, insurers and the taxpayer," said Liotta.

Typical of the many minor changes, Commission investigative officers will be allowed to testify in employer compliance hearings...

Plan to attend the 2016 Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Educational Conference, October 13-14 at the Embassy Suites Norman, Hotel & Conference Center. Early bird registration opens online July 1 at ok.gov/wcc/events. If you are interested in being a sponsor or would like to reserve an exhibit booth,
please call 405-522-8606 for more information.

Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission

OKC Location
(405) 522-3222
1915 N Stiles Ave, 231
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
73105

Tulsa Location
(918) 295-3732
212 Kerr State Office Bldg.
440 South Houston
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127

Office Changes on the
2nd Floor

The Insurance Division will soon be moving to the 2nd Floor North Hall where the Compliance Division was previously located.

The Compliance Division is now located at the end of the South Hall, past the Records counter.

AADEP
Oklahoma Course

American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians

The AMA Guides Sixth Edition Impairment Rating Course will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 in Oklahoma City. (Specific meeting location TBD after the Annual Meeting). The guest speaker for this event is Douglas Martin, MD, FAADEP.
8.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits are available. For registration information, click here: AMA Guides 6th.

Employees and Employers

Informational materials for employees and employers are available on our website: ok.gov/wcc.

Rules

The rule-making process for the Commission’s permanent administrative rules is open. The public comment period will be open until February 16, 2016. If you have a suggestion for the Rules, please send an email to: rules@wcc.ok.gov.

A Special Public Meeting has been scheduled for February 18, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers on the Second Floor of the Denver Davison Building.

For Commission
Public Meetings

Electronic Form Filing

Save time and postage by filing your CC-Form-4 Report of Compensation Paid/Suspension of Payment online on our website www.ok.gov/wcc.com
under electronic forms.

If you choose, you may receive an email confirmation with a unique submission number and a time date stamp. Submitting online simplifies the process but if you have any issues, please call the Counselors' Division 522-5308 or toll-free
1(855) 291-3612.

Own Risk Program

If you are a company participating in the Own Risk program, whether employer, TPA, or Group, please be sure to update the "payee information" in your system to the Workers' Compensation Commission. This will ensure quicker payments for renewals. If you have any questions or need assistance, please call the Insurance Services Division 405-522-3222.

ODG Formulary makes Long-acting Opioids
"N" Drugs for First-line Use

Medical Director Jay P. Cannon, MD

This is a reminder that as of February 1, 2016, the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) Formulary will make all long-acting opioids N drugs for first-line use. N status just means “no” to first-line use, but they may be approved after pre-authorization.

An order from an Administrative Law Judge appointing an Independent Medical Examiner (IME) requires that only that particular physician is authorized to evaluate the claimant and must submit the IME report within 14 days of the evaluation...

From the Bench

First of all let me say it has been an honor and privilege to serve as an Administrative Law Judge the past two years. The major reform which took effect in February of 2014 has resulted in many substantive and procedural changes. Many issues remain in the balance. And although changes are many, some things, as they should, remain the same.

What I have witnessed from the bench and what I have come to expect is the majority of practitioners and parties are presenting their cases in the appropriate manner. To be sure, there have been hotly contested claims, disagreements as to facts and arguments relative to interpreting the new law, but how the parties have conducted themselves is to be commended. I am humbled by the respect offered to the Administrative Law Judges and am pleased to see the courtesies extended among the parties.

The Commission published, in the form of an Alert dated April 21, 2014, Hearing Conduct Rules. These rules can be accessed on the Commission website and can be found in the recently published Handbook. I am glad to say only a very few need to read them to refresh their memory. If you have not read them, I suggest you do.

Speaking for all my fellow ALJ’s, I say thank you and keep up the good work. We will continue our efforts to serve all stakeholders by making the process as effective and efficient as we can for all concerned. Suggestions on how we can improve are welcomed and can be submitted to me. Again, sincere thanks to all.

T. Shane Curtin
Chief Administrative Law Judge

Commission Handbook

The Commission is pleased to announce the develop-ment of an official handbook. The handbook contains a copy of Title 85A of the Oklahoma Statutes, along with the Commission's permanent rules. Also included are hearing conduct rules, disability benefit charts, maximum compensation rates, a summary of the Commission's forms, and crosswalks/disposition tables from the prior law to the new. The price per handbook is $45, which includes updates to the handbook throughout the year. Handbooks are available to be picked up at the Commission in Room 231, or you may order a copy to be mailed by sending an email to Purchasing@wcc.ok.gov.