March 24, 2008

Sviggum appoints nine to workers' compensation advisory work subgroup about repricing industry

Commissioner Steve Sviggum has appointed nine members to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) Work Subgroup on the Repricing Industry.

The work subgroup - part of the WCAC Work Group on Billing and Auditing Processes - was created by Sviggum to review the need for a professional code of conduct and regulation of the repricing industry within the Minnesota workers' compensation system.

"This important work subgroup will review the new practice of repricing of Minnesota workers' compensation claims and provider bills," Sviggum said. "Other states have made legislative changes and regulatory requirements for this industry and this work group seeks the appropriate solution to help Minnesota's injured workers, insurers and medical providers work together in an effective and efficient manner."

The nine members are:

• Rose Hatmaker, Bloomington, manager of medical services, State Fund Mutual;
• Brian Hicks, Coon Rapids, director of the central business office, Minnesota Surgery Center;
• Sue Lanigan, St. Paul, patient accounting director, HealthEast Care System;
• Joe Majerus, Duluth, administrator, Lakewalk Surgery Center;
• James Oukrup, Bloomington, health and safety administrator, HealthPartners;
• Phil Rodgers, Minnetonka, AIC, CCMSI;
• Scott Sexton, Minneapolis, account executive, CorVel Corporation;
• Lee Spelbrink representing the Minnesota Department of Commerce; and
• Sara Thapa, St. Louis Park, manager of patient financial services, Park Nicollet.

The work subgroup will be led by WCAC members Mike Bredeck and Ryan Holmes.

The work subgroup's first meeting will be Thurs., April 10, at 10 a.m., at the Department of Labor and Industry, 443 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul. Subsequent meetings will be on the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. The work subgroup will make its recommendations to the WCAC by July 1, 2008.

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News media contact:
James Honerman
(651) 284-5313