Two Workers' Compensation Health Care Organizations Certified in California

Oct. 2, 2001
Employers, workers given more options for health care by California Department of Industrial Relations

Injured workers in California and their employers now have more physicians, specialists and hospitals from which to choose.

The California Department of Industrial Relations'' Division of Workers'' Compensation (DWC) certified two new health care organizations (HCOs) to provide medical care for workers injured on the job. The addition of the two HCOs will add thousands of physicians, specialists and hospitals to those already certified in the state.

The latest programs to be certified, Comp America Primary and Comp America Select, are offered by Employer and Occupational Services Group (EOS), a subsidiary of Health Net Inc., one of the largest health care companies in California.

EOS has a large statewide network of over 14,000 primary treating physicians, with thousands of specialists and hospitals.

"These certifications will substantially increase the options businesses have for using HCOs to deliver medical treatment of workplace injuries," says DWC Administrative Director Richard Gannon.

Once an HCO is certified, employers and insurers may contract with the organization to offer their employees a medical plan for occupational injuries. Employees can opt to enroll in the plan or pre-designate their own personal physician. Depending on the overall health coverage they offer, employers gain additional time during which they control medical treatment for an enrolled employee.

"I am particularly pleased to sign these new certifications," notes Gannon. "HCOs help employers and their workers improve medical care quality and early return to work programs while controlling workers'' compensation costs."

Certified HCOs must provide a quality assurance and improvement process, medical case management, coordination of return to work services with the employer and a grievance system. They must also report preventable health problems to the employer to improve workplace health and safety. They report data on medical treatment patterns, costs and outcomes for patients receiving HCO care to the DWC annually.

"HCOs are an increasingly popular way for employers and carriers to provide medical care for injured employees," adds Gannon, who adds there''s been a recent growth spurt in HCO enrollment.

Three new programs were certified at the end of last year and enrollment overall has grown substantially, to over 150,000 employees during the first half of 2001. These new certifications bring the state program''s total of HCOs to 14. A list of certified HCOs can be found on the DWC Web site at www.dir.ca.gov/dir/Workers''_Compensation/DWC/HCO.htm.

by Sandy Smith

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

Ensuring a Safer Workplace through a Comprehensive Contractor Qualification Framework

March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...

EQT Private Equity to Acquire Avetta from WCAS

March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.

Guide to OSHA Workplace Lighting Requirements

March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers and why do they matter?

March 13, 2025
From raw materials to final products, each supplier tier poses risks and liabilities that can impact your organization. Avetta's supply chain management software offers peace ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!