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SAN FRANCISCO -- California injured workers have just as many doctors to choose from as they have in the past decade, if not more, according to preliminary research announced Thursday by the California Workers' Compensation Institute. The CWCI's chief researcher, Alex Swedlow, used information from the industry group's database to show that medical providers are not fleeing the system. One example: In 1996, 98% of workers lived within 30 miles of three physicians who were willing to...

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Comments (18):
“What a joke. you've got a report from a bias institue that states only what it want to state. NOt the truth but an attempt to keep the injured worker down. The closest pysician to me is 11 miles!!! I am sure that I was nto included in this "so-called study"...”
By: Brian Burk, 03/24/2006 04:45:54 pm

“Perhaps you should become more familiar with the term "average" as it applies to statistical expressions. This report is not about you, it is about a system of care. Stop being so egocentric and look at the broader scope of the issue.”
By: Mario Yep, 03/27/2006 04:17:40 pm
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“As stated during the course of yesterday's presentation of the medical access study, the access data was based on physician's who actively provided medical care to California' s injured workers. Thus, only physicians who would "accept" injured workers were included in the study. Separate access studies broken out by physician specialty will be included in the final report to be released later this year. ”
By: Bob Young, 03/24/2006 04:51:39 pm

“Mr. Swedlow: Perhaps you could help me find a psychiatrist within 50 miles of Modesto who will treat new w.c. patients?”
By: Jeff Duarte, 03/25/2006 07:18:11 pm
“MOLLAH, MOHAMMED S., MD 1015 12th St Modesto, CA 95354 0.96 209-472-5988 PETER B TUREK, MD 121 E. 11TH ST. , TRACY , CA 95376 415-398-7640 IRWIN SAVODNIK, MD 1805 NO. CALIFORNIA ST., STE 409 , STOCKTON , CA 95204 800-581-1717 BENJAMIN A CAREY, MD 1610 N. EL DORADO STE 2 , STOCKTON , CA 95204 800-245-7899 ALBERTO G LOPEZ, MD 1610 N. EL DORADO, STE 2 , STOCKTON , CA 95204 800-245-7899 ROBERT T LEVINE, MD 5380 WEST LN., STE A , STOCKTON , CA 95210 877-253-8463 HOSEIN TAHAMI, DO 1393 SANTA RITA RD., STE D , PLEASANTON , CA 94566 408-644-5610 ”
By: Zurich SF 3, 03/27/2006 04:27:10 pm
“Sorry, you are wrong. Most of those are QME's (Carey, Levine, Lopez, etc) who do not practice here. The others do not accept w.c.”
By: Jeff Duarte, 03/27/2006 04:36:55 pm
“So you called all these doctors and not a single one will treat a w/c patient? Some QME's will and do treat too you know; I suspect your point was that there aren't any psychiatrists in the Modesto area that take w/c and I contend that not only is this not true, but I could have an injured worker into a psychiatrist in the Modesto area within 2 weeks for treatment and there is a large selection of QME's for med/legals as well... Here's a list of more psychiatrists in the area for your reference: Quisling, Sheri - Stewart W Quisling Incorporated Psychiatrists 2.35 miles 3340 Tully Rd Ste D2 Modesto CA Map 8.4 Overall Neumeyer, Alvin E, MD - Neumeyer Alvin E MD Pediatricians, Psychiatrists 3.94 miles 3504 Oakdale Rd Modesto CA Map 8.4 Overall Stanislaus Behavioral Health Mental Health Services, Psychiatrists 4.41 miles 1501 Claus Rd Modesto CA Map 8.4 Overall Millman, Stephen J, MD - Stephen J Millman A Medical Corporation Pediatricians, Psychiatrists 3.46 miles 3421 Tully Rd Modesto CA Map 7.6 Overall Jacisin, John J, MD - Psychiatric Medical Group Psychiatrists 3.52 miles 3425 Coffee Rd Ste A2 Modesto CA Map 7.5 Overall Schorr, Helen - Psychiatric Medical Group Osteopaths, Pediatricians, ... 3.52 miles 3425 Coffee Rd Ste A2 Modesto CA Map 7.4 Overall Lewis, Marshall, MD - Stanlislaus Behavioral Health Psychiatrists 4.41 miles 1501 Claus Rd Modesto CA Map 7.3 Overall Hetnal, M J, MD - Psychiatric Medical Group Psychiatrists 3.52 miles 3425 Coffee Rd Ste A2 Modesto CA Map 7.3 Overall Schorr, Robert B, DO - Psychiatric Medical Group Osteopaths, Pediatricians, ... 3.52 miles 3425 Coffee Rd Ste A2 Modesto CA Map 7.3 Overall Appel, Samuel, MD - Appel Samuel MD Psychiatrists 2.31 miles 1101 Sylvan Ave Ste B4 Modesto CA Map 7.2 Overall Wang, Jen, MD - Wang Jen MD Psychiatrists 3.22 miles 145 Woodrow Ave Modesto CA Map 7.2 Overall Quisling, Stewart W, MD - Stewart W Quisling Incorporated Psychiatrists 2.35 miles 3340 Tully Rd Ste D2 Modesto CA Map 7.2 Overall Palmer, Rolf, MD - Palmer Rolf MD Psychiatrists 1.88 miles 1524 McHenry Ave Modesto CA Map 7.2 Overall Samuel Appel MD Psychiatry Psychiatrists 3.57 miles 1101 Sylvan Ave Modesto CA Map 7.2 Overall Philip J Verderame Incorporated Psychiatrists 2.57 miles 2020 Coffee Rd Ste H1 Modesto CA Map 7.2 Overall Eggen, GIB, DO - Eggen GIB DO Osteopaths, Psychiatrists 2.15 miles 1518 Coffee Rd Ste C Modesto CA Map 7.1 Overall Henigan, Mark H, DO - Psychiatric Medical Group Osteopaths, Pediatricians, ... 3.52 miles 3425 Coffee Rd Ste A2 Modesto CA Map 7.1 Overall Verderame, Philip J, MD - Philip J Verderame Incorporated Psychiatrists 2.57 miles 2020 Coffee Rd Ste H1 Modesto CA Map Sutter, Larry, MD - Sutter Larry MD Psychiatrists 1.87 miles 1429 College Ave Ste A Modesto CA Map ”
By: Zurich SF 2, 03/27/2006 05:10:13 pm
“Hey, Ace--I called every office on this list (aside from the child psychiatrist and the county psychiatric inpatient unit) in Modesto and couldn't find any that took w.c. I left messages with some offices, but I tried those in the past without success. Let me know who you come up with. I did find one in Stockton--thanks for the tip. Why do you use a psuedonym?”
By: Jeff Duarte, 03/27/2006 08:31:32 pm
“David: our company regularly sends us emails updating us as to their media policy that is very restrictive and allows us little to no ability to speak w/ the media, thus I figure the more anonymity I have the less risk I take in getting fired for a stupid reason. As for the psychiatrist issue at hand, I can tell you we only have one psychiatrist on our MPN, and that is Dr. Mollah which is quite disappointing, but in seeing so many psychiatrists in the area I would be surprised if he were the only one taking w/c patients (assuming he does). I've run into the same thing with podiatrists in the Stockton area, but there are at least 7 or 8 in the area and I have not had a problem getting them to see my w/c patients. I think a lot of getting the doctors to treat w/c patients comes from the adjusters being willing to work with them. If I'm dealing w/ a doctor that does not normally do w/c I will let them know up front that I don't expect them to follow 9785 to the letter of the law however if they can send SOAP notes or at least a brief narrative letting us know what's going on that's fine. I also point out that 9785 allows them to refer out for MMI/P&S reports, thus they don't have to fear the infamous AMA report and physician anxiety that goes along with it. I hope that one thing adjusters and applicant attorneys can agree on is quality of care; one thing I want for my injured workers is to get the best doctor we can early in the claim, as it decreases both duration of treatment as well as permanent disability. I know that technically applicant's counsel stand to gain financially from an injured worker being more disabled from an injury, however most applicant attorneys that I have dealt with show that they are genuinely concerned with their client's well being. The physician an attorney has their client nominate as the PTP in a case speaks volumes as to whether the attorney is genuinely looking out for their client, or simply looking to increase p/d by hand picking a doctor of questionable merits...”
By: Zurich SF 3, 03/27/2006 09:30:26 pm
“I agree with your comments about quality of care. I will follow up with Dr. Mollah again.”
By: Jeff Duarte, 03/27/2006 10:08:52 pm
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“A number of hospitals are currently closing or consolidating their occ-med clinics. To name a few: Sutter, Casa Colina, Loma Linda, St. Judes. A number of hospital neuro specialists will not see work comp patients, period. That is a relatively new phenomena. It takes time to dismantle health care systems that are involved with work comp. As the delay, deny, or approve and then deny insurance game continues, more and more medical providers are saying it is simply not worth the hassle given the paperwork and regulatory nightmares work comp patients require. Eventually, the stats will show the changes.”
By: Charles Smith, 03/24/2006 06:58:05 pm

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“Well studies only conclude what those that be want their studies to conclude. Last week I had a workers comp injury. Do you think I would avail myself to a fraud ridden system and at the same time be deinied quality medical care ? No way - I went to VA - They do not need permission to take exays or MRIs they just do it - and proceed from there. How many clients do we have that are denied quality medical care or just any medical care due to "utilization" review and depending on employer fraud if the claim is even admitted - One good thing - while preparing for Jury Duty the PJ of the LA Courts shall soon be getting my exemption of being covered under wc scheme pursuant to LC 4154 (b) and demand for accomodations pursuant to the ADA as it relates to parking for Jury Duty. As the way the system works and the way it is supposed to work - abolishment would be a better way to go - Burden of proof is the same anyway- just my 5 cents worth today”
By: Republic1 Republic, 03/27/2006 03:41:59 pm

“Interesting. Where were all of you when the CHSWC report came out? Nowhere...because that study said what you wanted it to. It goes both ways; which is why we will never get good reform. On a side note: Abolishment might be the way to go after all. Of course, that would CRUSH the majority of injured workers who are hurt through no one's fault but maybe their own. You only get TD for a year out of EDD, that's a 50% reduction from the current program and no one to hit up for a BI claim. In the civil arena, they usually require some actual evidence of injury before they start handing over pain & suffering awards. Plus, in the civil arena, good luck finding an attorney who will only take 15% of any award you might be able to get. I am well aware of the problems that injured workers face as they navigate through the system but most of them, even in the current state of the laws, are getting so much more than they would ever get without that system. ”
By: Kathy McLean, 03/27/2006 04:24:40 pm
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“The CWCI study did not find that 100% of IW's lived within a specific distance of an appropriate doctor, just a very large percentage. The "unfortunate" IW above has to drive an additional 10 miles, still not an unreasonable burden. As to doctors leaving the state due to UR and IC resistence to authorize treatment, let's not forget why this is the case. If so many doctors had not abused (and continue to abuse) the system to line their own pockets, there would not be this aura of distrust in the system. And this is not to single out just the doctors - there are employers, employees, IC's, atty's and VRC's that have abused the system for their own enrichment. I have been in this system for over 30 years, I have seen it all, and all branchs of the system carry an equal burden of fault. It's time to accept responsibility and fix the system and stop this useless complaining.”
By: David Goldojarb, 03/27/2006 04:32:19 pm

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“Mr. Swedlow, I would like to know the source of your data about physicians who "accept" injured workers for treatment. 1. Presumably some of that data came from MPN lists which may be highly inaccurate since many of the doctors listed did not even know that they are on the lists and don't take w.c. patients. 2.Many names may have multiple locations for which they don't attend on a regular basis. 3. I know for a fact that some of the names of psychiatrists you provided to Mr. Rockwell, in fact do not provide treatment. Mark Bernhard, D.O.”
By: Mark Bernhard, 03/27/2006 08:47:36 pm

“The study was not based on MPN listings. The outcomes were derived from medical bill review data, identifying more than 78,000 unique tax i.d. numbers from medical providers who received payment for providing treatment to injured workers. The names of the psychiatrists in the chain of comments did not come from CWCI. However, the Institute will soon publish additional access outcomes by physician specialty. ”
By: Bob Young, 03/27/2006 11:17:13 pm
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“ The problem I have come across is that any willing provider can not get on these MPN list. They close the list once they have the providers they like and the rest of us are out in the cold. It does not matter if you have been a QME for the past ten years or if you are well versed in the ACOEM guidelines and AMA ratings. We have lost the non-bais doctor and have found the ones that will say what the insurance wants to hear.”
By: craig armstrong, 03/28/2006 12:12:16 am

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“I have also noticed that many MPNs are closed, especially to chiropractic offices. If you will look in the paper or online, you will see a large number of chiropractic offices fr sale, with mabny others simply closed. With the advent of SB899 and ACOEM, many chiropractic offices are struggling to stay open. Add in the regular denials by insurance companies and you have a nightmare. Please note, there have been excesses in the past, but not just by the doctors or their staff, there have also been excessive denials by insurance companies for payment. Dare to deny if you will.”
By: Edward Komberg DC, 03/28/2006 01:56:15 am

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