[May 24, 2013]

Integrated Care Now Possible in Workers' Compensation for Breakthrough Results

The workers' compensation industry can achieve breakthrough results using a new integrated care model, according to Don Duford, Chairman of the Board at One Call Care Management (OCCM), who presented at the National Council of Self-Insurers (NCSI) annual conference in San Diego, California, May 19 - 22.

"Integrated care in workers' compensation is a game-changer," stated Duford. "It's a win for the carrier, the employer, the injured worker, and high quality medical providers. Until now, the fragmented nature of the general healthcare system and the difficulty in identifying the best providers has created a challenge for the workers' compensation system, given the unique need to deliver optimum care to injured workers. Medical costs continue to increase while a lack of connectivity between team members creates costly delays and inefficiencies. With the integrated care approach, we can get workers well and back on the job faster, wit a more efficient use of resources at lower overall costs."

Duford cited research from McKinsey & Company (News - Alert) that demonstrates how integrated care can be implemented in virtually any health system, provided that three elements are present: a focus on patients with high health care spending, a care delivery process that enables multidisciplinary teams to function effectively, and key support systems such as information sharing.

He then identified the three major developments in the workers' compensation sector that now make it possible to provide integrated care to injured workers:

• The ability to identify high performing healthcare providers
• The availability of virtual teams of best-in-class specialists
• Technology that connects superior healthcare providers and specialists throughout the life of a claim

"Using the integrated care model, the nation's leading healthcare organizations such as the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic and Kaiser Permanente have proven that high quality care is efficient care," concluded Duford. "Now, we can use the same concepts to manage care for injured workers to achieve those superior results."

About One Call Care Management

One Call Care Management (One Call) is the nation's leading provider of specialized services to the workers' compensation industry that lead to faster, more efficient and more cost effective claims resolution. From high-end diagnostic procedures, to post-discharge and in home and complex care management, to transportation and language services, to superior dental programs and other medical specialties, One Call provides reliable, consistent connections to care that enable maximum medical improvement and superior outcomes. For more information, visit www.onecallmedical.com and www.yourmsc.com.

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