MWHCA members will be pleased to know that a great deal has changed since our last communication. Unfortunately much that concerns us still remains unresolved.
The MWHCA presentation regarding "Access to Care" before the WC Oversight Committee on Wednesday, October 26th was well received. The combination of MWHCA's statement and documentation as well as the several unsuccessful attempts by the WC Commission to address the concerns regarding access to care, the Oversight Committee emphatically encouraged the WC Commission to address the immediate cause of the deteriorating access to care for injured workers by December 2005.
The WC Commission expressed its willingness to correct the anomaly in the 2004 Medical Fee Guide revision, which has discouraged many surgeons from accepting patients. See the following resources, which include:
- Statement from MWHCA to the October 26th Oversight Committee Meeting (pdf 62 KB)
- Analysis of the 2004 Fee Guide revisions
- Access to Care Survey by Nurse Case Managers (pdf 30 KB)
- Updated roster for the WC Oversight Committee
- "Work Comp Central" news blog that includes interviews with MWHCA and other individuals concerned with the access to care dilemma in Maryland.
To view the Work Comp Central web site, go to: http://www.workcompcentral.com/.
Before and following the Oversight Committee meeting, MWHCA had an opportunity to speak with the New Chairman of the Maryland WC Commission, Hon. Karl Aumann. Our discussions were of a preliminary nature but encouraging. Chairman Aummann expressed a desire to resolve the difficulties confronting the workplace health care communities that were within his jurisdiction.
For those members who were unaware that a change in administration at the Commission has occurred, don't feel left out. This was a surprise to everyone including Chairman Aumann, who only recently appointed to the WC Commission. Many people close the Commission expected he would assume the Chairmanship, if and when Chairman O'Reilly's retired or his term on the Commission expired. Former Chairman O'Reilly remains as a Commission member.
As you read this update, several MWHCA Board members will be meeting with the New Chairman to explore the opportunity to improve communication and implore the WC Commission to address several important concerns regarding the statutory requirements for updating Medical Fee Guide every two years, continued collection difficulties involving "Medical Only" and "Clean Claims," arbitrary re-pricing of health care fees, and insurance claims adjusters inappropriate compliance or non-compliance with workers' compensation laws and regulations.
One suggestion will be to plan a seminar for MWHCA members on "Access to Care" in December. Hopefully, the new Chairman and/or other Commission members would attend and participate.
Your questions concerns and suggestions are welcome.
