Taking place December 12-15 at the Orlando World Center Marriott, this year’s Workers’ Compensation Institute (WCI) Educational Conference was a tremendous success for Paradigm. In addition to serving as an Elite Sponsor, Paradigm thought leaders Patchez Pirtle, RN, and Kathy McNulty, MS, CDMS, CCM, participated in two thought-provoking panels. Visitors to the Paradigm booth received a first look at exciting updates to our solutions for accountable care management that will set the tone for 2022 and beyond.

This year, Paradigm had a wide-ranging presence at the WCI Conference. In keeping with the “Better Together” theme, our team members returned to the in-person conference with a spirit of collaboration and progress for the workers’ compensation industry.

Pre-conference events fostered community engagement and fun
On Saturday, Paradigm was a proud sponsor of the Give Kids the World Village’s Night Of A Million Lights Gala. Next, on Sunday, Paradigm sponsored the first inaugural Kids’ Chance of Florida Golf Tournament at the Orlando World Center Marriott Hawk’s Landing Golf Club. Representatives from Paradigm participated as both golfers and volunteers for this event.

WCI-TV: Paradigm leaders shared exciting developments
Throughout the conference, Paradigm leaders were front and center, sharing critical insights with WCI-TV. First, Kathy Galia and Elizabeth Ulloa Lowry discussed how Paradigm drives outcomes nationwide through quality case management and what sets Paradigm’s case management apart. Later, Chris Pricco and Teresa Williams elaborated on Paradigm’s recently announced acquisition of HomeCare Connect and what this means for bringing accountable care management into the home. Lastly, Jan Saunders, CPO, LPO, Clinical Prosthetics & Orthotics Program Manager, shared how early intervention is a key element in the cost drivers for prosthetics.

Exploring effective approaches for prosthetics and transitional return to work
On Tuesday, experts from Paradigm took part in two thought leadership sessions. Paradigm Network Development Specialist Patchez Pirtle, RN, shared her firsthand experience as a case manager helping injured workers adjust to life with prosthetics. Considerations For Prosthetics In Workers’ Compensation brought together perspectives from the clinical, claims, and legal sectors to talk about amputation and long-term recovery for injured workers.

From a case management standpoint, a successful outcome is much more feasible when these injured workers are matched with an appropriate provider who can meet their lifestyle and return to work goals. To accomplish this, Patchez emphasized the fundamental importance of education and relationship-building in helping these patients adjust to the use of a prosthetic limb and return to productive lives.

Later that afternoon, Kathy McNulty, MS, CDMS, CCM, Paradigm Senior Director, Vocational Case Management, Clinical Solutions, moderated A Look At Successful Transitional Return To Work Programs. Kathy guided panelists from the third-party claims administration and payer spaces through the challenges and strategies for building an effective transitional return to work (TRTW) program. TRTW offers injured workers the opportunity to find meaningful work with an organization such as a nonprofit group when the employer is unable to provide suitable light or modified duties.

In this highly collaborative talk, Kathy explored the key themes that have helped Paradigm and organizations find success in this area. These included the need to build a return to work culture on the employer side, the psychological value of work, how a TRTW program should function, and what success could look like–as well as how to measure it. Kathy and the panel stressed that by addressing the biopsychosocial needs of the injured worker, along with operational barriers, these programs very often help ensure a long-term successful outcome for challenging cases.

Inspiring happiness in the workplace
As the conference wrapped up on Wednesday, Paradigm team members also attended the Happiness Effect, an empowering and inspirational leadership workshop held by the Alliance of Women in Workers’ Compensation (AWWC). As an AWWC sponsor, Paradigm was glad to support this session, which bridged the academic research world and the real world. The diverse group of speakers shared their personal experiences on finding inspiration to push professional growth and build stronger relationships.

Working together to make a meaningful difference for injured workers
At Paradigm, we know that when we focus on the whole person, we deliver better care for the patient, and better value for our clients. With our set of Specialty Services, we’re able to drive results across a broad range of injuries. And by leveraging actionable data, we empower our provider partners and support patients, while offering unparalleled customer service.

Our Specialty Services include:

• Case Management
• Specialty Networks
• Payment Integrity

Thank you to everyone who visited our booth and the many events that were held at this year’s conference. Stay tuned as we make plans to attend even more in-person events in 2022.