Specialty Risk Services Receives 46 Approved Calif. Medical Provider Network Filings

Specialty Risk Services (SRS), one of the nation’s property casualty third party administrators for workers’ compensation and general liability claims, announced that the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has approved 46 applications of medical provider networks (MPNs) on behalf of SRS’ self- insured employer and carrier clients.

The workers’ comp reforms of Senate Bill 899 (SB899) provide
California employers and insurers the opportunity to direct medical care by establishing an approved MPN.

By using MPNs, employers reportedly often see reduced medical costs as a result of price discounts on customary rates. Workers’ comp network providers also reportedly tend to be more knowledgeable about occupational injuries and effective methods of care for such injuries. They are reportedly more proficient in providing the appropriate documentation that is required by workers’ comp regulators. Better understanding of occupational requirements generally results in earlier return-to-work dates for injured employees.

MPNs are required to meet certain access standards of care for common occupational injuries and work-related illnesses. In order to obtain state approval, network applicants must be self-insured employers or carriers licensed in the state of California.

Once network filings are approved, SRS provides account specific support and customized resources to assist each client on implementing their MPN program based on California requirements. This includes state-approved, bilingual employee communication tools, such as the employer notification to California employees at least 30 days prior to directing medical care to MPN providers.