Every now and then an idea comes along that makes so much sense you wonder why it hasn’t been around all along. In the case of professional administration to handle post-settlement medical fund management, it actually has; but it’s now been perfected so it makes logical and financial sense for injured workers and payers alike.
For the injured worker it means they’ll continue to have someone to manage their medical care and assure appropriate compliance with Medicare. For payers, it means finally settling claims that have been on the books for months or even years. For both sides, it means significant dollars saved, it is truly a win-win for all parties involved.
What Is a Post-Settlement Professional Administrator?
Many injured workers get frustrated with the workers’ compensation system, but are nevertheless leery about settling their claims. They are concerned they might not have enough money to handle their future medical and indemnity needs; they may additionally fear they won’t be able to fully comply with Medicare reporting requirements, if a Medicare Set-aside is included. In many cases, as much as they dislike the workers’ compensation system, they are even more fearful of navigating their medical care on their own without someone with expertise to help. This is where professional administration comes in.
The level of care the injured worker is used to continues to be provided when a quality professional administrator is involved. In many cases, the care may even be better. The administrator coordinates medical treatment, but without the frustration of utilization review; i.e., providers, treatments and pharmaceuticals are not denied. Deep discounts on treatments and medications are available because of the administrator’s networks. With some companies, there is even a 24-hour support line available. The administrator helps ensure that the money lasts, and the injured worker has an advocate for their medical care and finances.
A comparison between the typical services involved in a workers’ compensation claim and those available after settlement through a professional administrator shows they are nearly the same:
- Provider bill review. The discounts provided through the professional administrator’s network can be the same or even better than those available in the workers’ compensation system.
- Pharmacy benefit manager and durable medical equipment networks: Again, the savings on these can be substantial through the administrator’s network.
- Phone support.
- Provider recommendations.
- Reporting – with a professional administrator all Medicare Set Aside reporting is 100% guaranteed.
- Bill administration.
- Utilization review – with a professional administrator, there is none!
What makes the idea of a professional administrator even more appealing is that having greater discounts on medical treatments means there is more likelihood the case with settle and the administrator will earn the business. Therefore, it behooves the professional administrator to have a strong network and do the right things for the injured worker, to maintain the relationship and be able to offer further discounted services.
Benefits to Payers
A professional administrator can be brought into the process at any time, and there is no cost unless the case settles. With a solid, experienced group, payers are finding their long-term, seemingly endless claims are settling. But it’s not only the fact that there is a settlement that saves the payer money, it’s also the ultimate dollar amount.
Calculations for future medicals can be tricky. There must be accounting for the medical procedures, medical providers and the cost of pharmaceuticals. Add to that the expenses of unexpected complications and inflation, and the amount for the medical portion of the settlement can be staggering
Bringing a professional administrator into the discussions before the settlement is reached can be advantageous to the payer and the injured worker. Because of the network discounts, the future medical costs can be substantially lower than would be typical. Also, the professional administrator can demonstrate real costs to the injured worker, making them more comfortable with the final number.
Conclusion
Many injured workers simply lack the expertise, or interest, to manage the responsibilities of their own medical care, nor do they have access to discounted services and treatments.
Professional administration can fill the gap and make a settlement attractive to both parties. A company with solid experience and proficiency in all aspects of workers’ compensation claims can be the right solution for all concerned.
Author Michael Stack, Principal, Amaxx LLC. He is an expert in workers compensation cost containment systems and helps employers reduce their work comp costs by 20% to 50%. He works as a consultant to large and mid-market clients, is co-author of Your Ultimate Guide To Mastering Workers Comp Costs, a comprehensive step-by-step manual of cost containment strategies based on hands-on field experience, and is founder & lead trainer of Amaxx Workers’ Comp Training Center. .
Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: https://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/
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