Cambridge, MA – The impact of national healthcare reform on state workers’ compensation systems is a focus of the Workers Compensation Research Institute’s (WCRI) 2014 Annual Issues and Research Conference, March 12 -13, at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.
Since many of the major provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PP-ACA) will be implemented in 2014, this year’s conference will focus on the likely impact on workers’ compensation systems. The following are among the questions to be addressed:
- What might the market and delivery of health care look like in five years?
- What will be the impact of increasing size and concentration of health care providers?
- What will be the impact of federal government regulation of medical prices?
- How will increased coverage affect access to care for injured workers?
- What are the major unintended consequences to watch out for?
“As with most things in workers’ compensation, we would not be surprised if the effects were very different in different states,” said Richard Victor, WCRI’s executive director. “We will offer a framework for identifying which states will most likely be affected and in what ways.”
As always, WCRI will present the latest findings from some of its most significant research. The specific topics have not yet been selected, but they are likely to be drawn from the following candidates:
- Impact of banning physician dispensing of opioids
- Impact of provider choice laws on worker outcomes
- States that may benefit most from Texas-like closed formularies
- Cost and use of ambulatory surgery centers
- Trends in opioid use
The WCRI conference is a leading workers’ compensation forum for policymakers, employers, labor advocates, insurance executives, healthcare organizations, claims managers, researchers, and others and draws attendees from across the nation. Conference participants will leave the two-day event with new insights and a better understanding of key issues in today’s competitive environment.
Last year’s event was standing room only and seating is limited so register today. Register by Friday, January 24, 2013 to take advantage of the early bird special, which will save you $100.00. For more information about the program or to register, click here: WCRI Conference 2014
Source: WCRI