In the second part of our exclusive interview with Peter Rousmaniere, he discusses how current trends will impact the future of the industry and leaves some parting advice onr how workers’ comp can continue to evolve with the times.

When you think of industry icons in workers’ comp, Peter Rousmaniere is among the select few at the top of the list. For more than 30 years, Peter has been a major influencer in workers’ comp, especially over the past couple of decades as a popular columnist. Last month, Peter announced his well-deserved retirement, so we asked him to join us on Inside Workers’ Comp to talk about his celebrated career and offer insights on the industry. The conversation was so profound that we made it into a two-parter. Here’s Part 1.

Thanksgiving is coming, which means it’s time for our favorite podcast of the year: What are You Thankful for in Workers’ Comp? This year, we invited three experts who share very different reasons why they are grateful for comp: Heart of Case Management Award winner Charlene Ramsey, RN, BSN, CCM; Helen Froehlich, vice president of case management; and Donna Bradshaw, vice president of IME Services. We hope their responses lead you to contemplate on your own unique role in workers’ comp and how YOU make a difference in the lives of others.

NWCDC is just days away. As you get ready to head back to Vegas, we asked Genex’s Ron Skrocki to give us a preview of what to expect at this year’s conference, including a session he’ll be presenting on Nov. 6 with Mitchell’s Michele Hibbert-Iacobacci and Rebecca Morgan.

What’s causing the rise of psych IMEs in workers’ comp? by Genex Services

The success of a utilization review organization depends on the quality of its physician network. This starts with taking careful measures to verify the credibility of reviewers to ensure good outcomes and prevent fraud. In today’s Inside Workers’ Comp, Genex’s Dan Maldonado explains what good UROs look for in hiring the best physicians.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can also have a strong impact on injured employees and delay return to work. Mariellen Blue, Genex national director of case management services, joins us to talk more about this issue in today’s Inside Workers’ Comp.

It’s been nearly three years since California passed Senate Bill 1160, a utilization review reform measure designed to accelerate and improve workers’ comp care for injured employees. While components of the law have been implemented, the final regulations have not yet gone into effect. Genex clinical director Dan Maldonado gives us an update on the process and what we can expect once the new regulations go into effect.

A good stay-at-work program can offer many benefits to employees and employers such as improving team morale and preventing a disability claim. However, establishing a successful plan can sometimes be a challenge. To help make this process easier, Genex disability and absence services experts Kevin Ufier and Linda Mastropaolo offer tips on how to develop a successful program.

Addiction in workers’ comp has been a hot-button topic over the past decade, mostly due to the staggering number of injured workers who have become addicted and, in the more tragic cases, have succumbed to prescription opioids. Yet, the same level of attention hasn’t been given to another addiction issue, treating those injured employees whose struggles with drugs and alcohol predate their injury.