WOEMA Update

WOEMA Legislative Update
Nov. 20, 2008

This week a key committee of the California Medical Association began discussing the prospect of consensus physician proposal for a new fee Workers’ Compensation fee schedule. 

The CMA Workers’ Compensation Technical Advisory Committee on Monday reviewed a shared statement by WOEMA and the California Society for Industrial Medicine and Surgery (CSIMS) around the need for a new fee schedule that boosts payment for medical services in the system overall while correcting particularly for the underpayment of cognitive services.  WOEMA Legislative Committee Chair Steve Schumann, MD, a member of the Work Comp TAC, had submitted the statement to TAC members, who represent many of the specialties working in the system. 

The discussion resumes again in the coming week, with Dr. Schumann, advocate Don Schinske set for further discussions on Tuesday with the CMA and specialty representatives. 

In the meantime, the California Division of Workers’ Compensation is now conducting a formal search for a new medical executive medical director. For those who might be interested in applying for the post, below is the DWC’s job announcement.  No deadline for submitting materials is given:

The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is seeking an executive medical director to head the DWC Medical Unit. The executive medical director manages the DWC Medical Unit and reports to the division’s administrative director. The DWC is soliciting resumes and curriculum vitaes (CVs) from physicians who may be interested in the position. The DWC’s current medical director, Dr. Anne Searcy, will retire from state service in December.

The executive medical director advises and assists the DWC administrative director in the formulation and analysis of policies related to provision of medical treatment and reimbursement for medical treatment. This includes the medical treatment utilization schedule, the official medical fee schedule, the physician fee schedule, medical provider networks, and certified health care organizations.
The position provides medical expertise and policy guidance to ensure medical services are provided to injured workers as required by law.  The medical director also oversees the qualified medical evaluator (QME) program, including issuing QME panels to resolve medical treatment disputes. 

The medical director represents DWC at legislative hearings, meetings, conferences, and before other agencies and public organizations on issues related to medical and health issues in the workers’ compensation system, as well as supervising physicians, attorneys, managers, investigators and other personnel in the DWC Medical Unit.

The medical director is appointed by the governor. A thorough background check is required. DWC is screening initial applicants and determining which should be interviewed.

Interested candidates should send their resume or CV to:

Dawn Bailey, executive secretary
Division of Workers’ Compensation
Office of the Administrative Director
1515 Clay Street, 17th floor
Oakland CA 94612