DIR Has Met Most of the Auditor's Recommendations!

This ought to be good news - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Of course, it remains to be seen how effective the steps acknowledged by State Auditor, Elaine Howell, will be in practice.  The community will need to work together to reach any level of success and there remains much work to be done fine-tuning QME recruitment, testing and report quality improvement.  Oh yeah - and the med-legal fee schedule.

It's up to the community.  The DWC cannot do this alone.  It is apparent without a full court press nothing will work and injured workers and their employers will bear the brunt of failure.

It is very important to note one area in which proof has yet to be found in the pudding.  In fact, the pudding seems hard to find.  I draw attention to the admonishment from Ms. Howell regarding "written policies for reinstating disciplined QMEs or how the process will unfold if investigations are pending." (see highlighted section). 

The DIR's insistence it has implemented written policies apparently has not met muster with the auditor's office.  Not surprising since the underground regulations causing the "mess" began as unwarranted and unpublished "policies." 

These new DIR written policies must be published to the community and perhaps hearings undertaken in advance of implementation in order to avoid an outcome similar to the previous underground scenario.  If the corps of evaluators do not have full knowledge of these policies and their enforcement, it seems a stretch to expect compliance or any level of understanding when the policies cause action to be taken.

We wish all of you respite, relaxation and some breathing room (literally) during these holidays as well as a New Year worth waiting for.  Stay safe, be healthy.

PS - The attached article is distributed with permission from Workcompcentral.  Consulting clients are reminded that discounted services from Workcompcentral are among your benefits.  Look for more information after the holidays.

Steve  Cattolica
12/23/20

DIR Has Met Most Recommendations From 2019 - Workcompcentral