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Montana Self Insurers' Association

November 2025 Update

  • MSIA Webinar – Advanced Practitioners & Workers Compensation Claim Outcomes - 12/10/2025 - Sponsored by Kerri Poe – Arcadia Settlements and Ametros
  • National Council of Self Insurers - State Association Meeting 11/19/2025: Judge David Langham – PTSD in Workers’ Compensation
  • Annual Conference Call for Speakers
  • Welcome New MSIA Member – Emperion


Montana defines rural healthcare in America and the issues surrounding access to quality medical care.

With fewer primary care physicians available, more injured workers are initially treated by advanced practitioners—nurse practitioners and physician assistants. WCRI recently released a study highlighting how early care from these providers influences treatment patterns and claim outcomes. The study draws on detailed claims and medical data from 29 states (Montana is not included), covering over 80 percent of workers’ compensation benefits paid. It includes injuries from October 1, 2012, to September 30, 2022, and tracks outcomes up to 6 or 12 months postinjury.

Based on the study, this webinar will:

·    Document changes between the involvement of advanced practitioners and primary care physicians between 2013 and 2022

·    Discuss the differences, if any, in patient claim experience and claim outcomes after being initially treated by an advanced practitioner rather than a primary care physician

·    Review the differences in timing of first nonemergency care, use of specialty care, medical costs, and duration of temporary disability as a result of initial treatment by an advanced practitioner

 

Advanced Practitioners & Workers’ Compensation Claim Outcomes – Dec 10 @ 10a MST – Advance registration is required by contacting the MSIA office.

We are in the process of getting CE credit for the MT Insurance Producer* and the MT WC Claims Examiner licenses. *If you are seeking the MT Insurance Producer license credit, you MUST provide MSIA with your name as it appears on the license, the license number and your NPN number.

Recipients of this UPDATE have access to unlimited seats at no charge. This MSIA webinar is sponsored by Arcadia & Ametros:  

 

 National Council of Self Insurers

State Association Zoom Meeting 11/19/2025 @ 9a MST - - FREE - Judge David Langham - - PTSD in Workers’ Compensation

The National Council of Self Insurers (National Council) will host their next Zoom meeting for Self Insurer State Associations and their members on November 19 at 9a MST. (MSIA is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Council and is actively involved with the State Association efforts.)

This Zoom meeting is FREE and available to all State Self Insurer Associations - - and their members - - to learn about what is going on in other states and to hear from FL WC Judge David Langham about PTSD issues in workers’ compensation. Judge Langham has built a national reputation with his insightful comments and approaches regarding issues in workers’ compensation systems.

There are 23 State Self Insurer Associations in the US and we expect most of them to attend. There is no charge for joining this Zoom meeting and all are invited to sit in.

MSIA members are invited to join the meeting on November 19 at 9a MST.  Put it on your calendar today!

 

 National Council Ann Conference – 5/31-6/3 Palm Springs, CA

  • Call for Speakers

The National Council’s Annual Conference is set for May 31 – June 3 - at the incredible Ritz Carlton in Rancho Mirage CA. (MSIA is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Council)

This Conference will see some of the nation’s top leaders and speakers addressing the issues we all face in workers’ compensation. The real value of the National Council Annual Conference is Employers Talking With Employers about what’s working, what’s next and what they’ve learned in trying different approaches as we try to eliminate accidents and help injured workers return to life after an accident has happened. As well, the Conference is designed to be an intimate gathering, providing greater opportunity to network and discuss issues with peers and leaders.

MSIA members, as leaders in workers’ compensation, have been well represented in the past – Sibayne Stillwater, Midland Claim Service, EK Health, Sanderson Firm, MinWorx Health, Rx Bridge, Allan Koba Compliance Solutions, MyMatrixx, Safety National, Bardavon Health and Paradigm. We’ve learned about AI in our business and our world, un-bundling claim management contracts, the latest in risk, safety and claims management and how unique situations, provide for unique solutions. Each participant brought their knowledge, expertise and background – and their relationships – to help all of us understand more about our business.

The Annual Conference is an important opportunity to learn from the best in class, reconnect with peers, make new business connections, network and enjoy the company of professionals from across the country.

This is not like other conferences with thousands in attendance. This is a purposefully intimate meeting with limited numbers to provide the greatest opportunities to connect and learn. And, it is always in an absolutely fabulous setting providing for great opportunities for the family as well. 

The annual call for speakers has just been released: NCSI 2026 Conference Speaker Application. We require that if a service provider wants to present, that an employer accompany them and share their perspectives. National Council speakers are names you know – Walt Disney, Walmart, Sunbelt Rentals, JM Smucker, Fanactics and more. Not all applicants are accepted – there are limited speaking opportunities available. You and your company should be on that list.

The speaker application deadline is January 9, 2026. This is a Conference you do not want to miss.

 

Welcome New Member – Emperion

Emperion is a national provider of outsourced clinical review services including Independent Medical Examination (IME), Peer Review (PR), Fitness for Duty (FFD) and Functional Capacity Exams (FCEs). The company manages a national network of approximately 25,000 providers across an extensive range of medical specialties. These capabilities promote patient recovery, return to employment, and successful claim outcomes across Workers’ Compensation, Auto, Disability, and Health benefit systems.

Our expertise, combined with our extensive knowledge of specific jurisdictional laws, yields an unparalleled value of service. Some things that set Emperion apart include our 40-year history of growth and development with a tenured and experienced workforce, a track record of financial strength and stability with a commitment to corporate governance and compliance, our credentialed network of more than 25,000 providers in all specialties with more than 35,000 locations, 6 Regional Service Centers, our dedicated team of national and regional sales and service executives and our leadership team with decades of experience creating and operating innovative P&C solutions. Of course, Emperion is URAC IME V1 Accreditated and is SOC2 Type 2 Compliance certified. For more information contact Renee Mason at Renee.Mason@Emperion or 404-725-5698.