In response to our recently published article, http://medmetrics.blogspot.com/2012_03_01_archive.html">Survey: Employers Want WC Cost Control. Really? a reader commented:
"The biggest problem I have is finding the right doctors. If all of my employees were in one location, this would be a piece of cake, but we are a trucking company with drivers who live and work all over the U.S."
She continued, "I just had a conversation with a doctor's office this morning about a claimant at the other side of the country. This employee, the claimant, has been off work 6 weeks with a knee injury. X-rays and MRI show nothing acute, the ligaments and cartilage are fine, but the claimant still reports pain. The doctor admits he has no explanation for claimant's pain complaints. However, instead of releasing claimant back to work or declaring MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement), the doctor referred him to a specialist."
Nice Guy, But ...
The frustration experienced by this claim manager is palpable. Yet, the treating physician is probably not fraudulent or abusive of the Workers' Comp system. He is probably unaware of the impact of his decision to refer. Moreover, he is probably also oblivious to the fact that the longer the patient is off work, the chances of returning decidedly decrease. The doctor is simply treating the patient as he would his neighbor. But that is not the best care from a Workers' Comp viewpoint.
That Obvious
The obvious solution is to prevent such dilemmas by selecting only excellent treating providers who understand the Workers' Comp system. But how can they be found? Most provider networks still contract with anyone and everyone, regardless of performance, thereby leaving employers like this one marooned. Yet that tradition is changing and changing fast.
Enlightenment
The enlightened movement in the industry quickly gaining traction is outcome-based networks. Many are structured as carve-outs of existing networks suited to individual locations and needs.
Analysis of individual performance as evidenced in data indicators can be based on industry research. Among the indicators are frequency and duration of medical treatment, return to work rates, indemnity costs, litigation, direct medical costs, and many other factors specific to Workers' Comp. Comparative provider performance must be state-specific and quality of care is considered.
Medical Quality
Medical quality in Workers' Compensation is as important as it is in general health. Injured Workers deserve the best medical care available. However, in Workers' Comp there is another layer of quality measurement superimposed on what is considered in general health. In general health quality is measured in terms of accepted treatment patterns followed and return to health. However, in Workers' Comp, measures of administrative factors, such as return to work, are quality indicators integrated into provider performance evaluation.
Monitoring To Maintain Excellence
Once best-in-class providers are selected in a region, continued monitoring is important, lest their performance slide. Moreover, letting them know they are being monitored, comparing them to other providers like them in their state, can be an extremely effective means of managing provider performance.
What To Do
Industry enlightenment will drive the solution. People now realize they need better information about which doctors to choose, information based on objective data, not vast lists of doctors' names and locations. Moreover, you help make that happen — now.
