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April 22, 2024
California Division of Workers’ Compensation Posts Updated Time of Hire Notice

April 22, 2024
Sullivan on Comp Launches ChatSOC. It's an Innovative Chatbot for California Workers' Compensation Professionals Integrated with an Authoritative Legal Treatise

April 19, 2024
Workers Compensation Bill 2024: One percent of employee’s salary to contribute to workers’ compensation fund in Kenya.

April 15, 2024
Colorado Worker Shows Head Injury Happened as a Consequence of a Knock on the Head at Work

WellComp is a California statewide, exclusive, and customized workers' compensation network, run under the auspices of Southern California Risk Management Associates (SCRMA). 

The idea that inspired WellComp is that of networking the medical providers and medical specialists who have a deep understanding of California workers' compensation.  Under this philosophy, WellComp's medical providers are fairly compensated, which attracts the highest quality of providers: those who have the goal of successful patient recovery.  For WellComp, it's not about deep discounts or "Walmart fees" being paid to doctors, but about quality care from doctors receiving fair compensation in exchange for their knowledge and understanding of the workers' compensation system in California.

Now today, SCRMA has the third most approved MPN in California for self-insured entities, and the fifth most overall, including insurance companies.  Their WellComp MPN, with 23 applications approved, is now responsible for 100,000 plus lives.

"We're seeing a real shift in thought," Ken Alston, Chairman of Southern California Risk Management Associates, said recently.  "Employers are realizing that the true benefit of a MPN (Medical Provider Network) is control and getting employees back to work; not huge networks and deep discounts. 

"WellComp was designed specifically for the California workers' compensation system," Alston continued.  "It was built from a claims perspective to complement administered and self-administered programs.  This is in stark contrast to these humongous networks that are rebranded PPOs or HCOs, which have all of the characteristics of traditional HMOs that people dislike, such as deep discounts off of the fee schedule and the philosophy to have as many providers as possible."

Medical provider admittance into WellComp started with nominations from risk managers, claims adjusters, and defense attorneys throughout the state.  If their track records proved to add value to an employers' risk management program, these providers were credentialed and contracted into WellComp.

"Containing workers' compensation medical costs is a difficult task in this environment.  It is great to see that WellComp has resonated with California employers.  The purpose of MPNs is increased employer control and improved medical care.  True savings will be realized through an effective and capable group of providers who share the same philosphy--an injured employee's successful recovery.  Our experience is that the better the care, the faster the employee can return to work, which will result in superior long-term savings for our employers," says Devora Brainard, Vice President of Medical Management for WellComp.

"What has been amazing is that with little marketing relative to the national networks, so many employers have opted for a more manageable network, like WellComp.  It really shows that employers understand that bigger is not better," said Ken Alston.

Southern California Risk Management Associates (SCRMA) was founded in 1988.  The company provides claims administration, bill review, utilization review, and a medical provider network: WellComp.  SCRMA only focuses on California workers' compensation claims solutions.