Texas Workers’ Comp Education Conference Features New Format

The Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission and the International Workers’ Compensation Foundation Inc. will sponsor the 15th Annual Texas Workers’ Compensation Education Conference on August 17-19, 2005. The conference will be held in Austin at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Town Lake.

The conference has a new format for 2005. On-site registration at the Hyatt Regency is on Wednesday, August 17, from 2 p.m. at 6 p.m. On Thursday, August 18, a General Session is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon with a speaker and breakout sessions in the afternoon. A second General Session is scheduled on Friday morning, August 19. The conference ends on Friday at noon.

Approval of continuing education credits for the general sessions and breakout sessions is pending. A detailed schedule of session topics is available at www.twcc.state.tx.us, under “What’s New.”

The topics include:
–Future of Texas Workers’ Compensation System
–Presentation of Statutory Changes
–Rule Development Overview
–Changes to Rulemaking Process
–Medical Dispute Resolution
–Income Benefit Dispute Resolution
–Return to Work
–Enforcement
–MQRP Process and Outcomes
–TDI Staff Discussion of Network Implementation
–Ethics Presentation
–Consumer Protection Presentation

Seating is limited for the conference. (A special early registration rate is available until July 15, 2005, while regular registration ends on July 25 or when all available seats are taken).

A conference registration form can be downloaded from the Commission website at www.twcc.state.tx.us under “What’s New.” The registration form must be returned by mail or fax to the International Workers’ Compensation Foundation as listed on the form.