The Truckload Carriers Association will host an audio conference from noon to 1:30 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, Aug. 17, called “Workers’ Compensation Trends: Managing the Far Flung Driver Workforce.”

During the audio conference, experts will discuss the latest issues that confront carriers and provide practical ideas to help fleets exert control over the process. To learn more about the audio conference, click on www. truckload.org/events/index.shtml.com.

The following areas will be addressed:
1. The State of the Union: Workers’ Compensation “Reform” Update
· Overview of various state workers’ compensation form initiatives:
· What works and what makes matters worse?
· What can we expect in the future?
· What reforms should we push?

2. Pre-Injury Measures: You have a great safety program, so use it!
· Use your safety program to defend workers’ compensation claims.
· Accident documentation and how it can reduce costs.

3. Helping the claims handler: How to best assist your risk management department, insurer or third party administrator.
· Light Duty: Cutting temporary total disability costs.
· Light Duty and the owner-operator: can a carrier use it?
· Return to Work Physicals/Fitness for Duty Exams.
· Light duty work at hiring terminal versus at local charitable facility.

4. Fraud: What is it and how to fight it.
· Fraudulent claims.
· Malingering.
· Use of surveillance.
· Getting help: can we prosecute cases of fraud?
5. Medicare Set Asides and the Workers Compensation Settlement: Update
· Can carriers still settle workers compensation cases?
· What consideration must be given to Medicare/Social Security Disability/Public Aid Issues?
· Medicare Checklist
· Latest developments from Medicare/CMS.

If you have questions, please contact Virginia DeRoze at 703-838-1950 or vderoze@truckload.org.