The 2023 National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference, National Comp, took place September 20-22 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. This year’s event was another great success, and provided an excellent opportunity for the Paradigm team to share powerful insights and connect with the industry at large. Along with serving as a Gold Sponsor, Paradigm experts led sessions on topics that included overcoming the blindside of artificial intelligence (AI) and addressing the impacts of mental health conditions on the primary medical diagnosis in workers’ compensation.

The Paradigm booth served as the backdrop for interesting discussions with industry partners and clients, including updates from Paradigm experts on advancements in our industry-leading care management solutions. With a focus on creating the best outcomes for injured workers and providing certainty for clients, Paradigm’s thought leaders also participated in two sessions that covered important subjects in workers’ compensation.

Patient-centered claims management through AI
On Wednesday, Elizabeth Ulloa Lowry, Senior Vice President of Risk Solutions, and David Lupinsky, Vice President of Clinical Product Solutions, joined Gia Sawko, Director of Claims, and Kimberly Wiswell, CMSP-Fellow, Director of Client Services from Gradient AI, in a discussion on the emerging ramifications of artificial intelligence on workers’ compensation and claims administration.

Pictured left to right: Kimberly Wiswell, Elizabeth Ulloa Lowry, Gia Sawko, David Lupinsky

The presentation, “The Blind Side of AI and The Transparency of Working Together,” looked at the ability of AI to augment claims decisions and some of the current blind spots the industry faces. The speakers shared that, while AI offers tremendous potential for improved decision-making and workflow, it should be seen as a way to augment, not replace, the work of claims professionals.

According to the speakers, achieving increased efficiency and better outcomes from AI will require the right combination of visibility into the patient’s health history, goal alignment, and incentives that enable a claims management approach that treats individuals, not averages. The speakers discussed the benefits of better communication, data-driven models, and accountable value-based care that keep the focus on better outcomes for patients.

The positive impact of behavioral health care
On Thursday, Kathy Galia, Chief Clinical Solutions Officer, Paradigm, Dr. Michael Lacroix, Medical Director, The Hartford, and Pamela Bloom-Pugliese, Director of Product Management, ODG by MCG, spoke on the importance of addressing behavioral health concerns for better outcomes in physical injuries and conditions.

Pictured left to right: Dr. Michael Lacroix, Pamela Bloom-Pugliese, Kathy Galia

In the session, “Co-Morbid Mental Health Conditions Put Recovery at Risk: Look Past the Primary Diagnosis,” the experts provided examples of the impact of mental health comorbidities on each phase of recovery, and how addressing behavioral health can have a positive effect on both care and treatment costs.

In exploring the influence of behavioral health on complex injuries, Galia demonstrated how psychosocial impacts can be major obstacles to complex injury outcomes—and emphasized the role that dedicated Community Support Specialists can play in guiding injured workers toward evidence-based interventions that improve outcomes.

Working together for a better future
We’re also immensely proud of our Go-to-Market and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) teams partnering to become a Bronze sponsor of the Rainbow Risk Alliance event held on Wednesday at the Cosmopolitan hotel. There were over 500 attendees, all showing their support for LGBTQ+ risk management and insurance professionals. The goal is to promote awareness and positive visibility, and we’re honored we could be part of such a great event.

Thank you again to everyone who visited our booth and engaged with us throughout the conference.