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Montana Self Insurers' Association

July 2026 UPdate

  • Governor’s Conference – West Yellowstone 10/6 – 9
  • MSIA Business & Annual Meeting @ The Gov’s Conf 10/7
  • Sponsored by Browning, Kalezcyc, Berry & Hoven & Clarus IME & Definiti Comp Solutions/Definiti Rx & Wrenwell Claims; Bill Zachry – Guardrails for Artificial Intelligence
  • Exclusive MSIA Reception With All the Conference Leaders 10/6; Sponsored by MyMatrixx & Sanderson Comp & Safety National & Triage Now
  • MSIA Annual Members Survey Coming Soon; You Drive What We Do
  • Welcome New MSIA Member – TriageNow

 

Governor’s Conference – West Yellowstone 10/6 – 9

The Governor’s Conference in West Yellowstone at the Holiday Inn 10/6 - 9 is the most important workers’ compensation meeting in the state and will feature a power-house line-up of speakers and topics. Because it is the most important WC Conference in Montana, by definition, it includes MSIA members and Friends of MSIA as featured speakers.

Register and learn about hotel options here: 2026 Governor's Conference on Workers' Compensation.

The theme, Emphasizing Safey & Health through Workers’ Compensation, provides presenters the opportunity to share their perspectives on all the current hot topics in WC. The Opening Day Keynote features Sebastian Negrusa, VP for the Workers Compensation Research Institute. The Second Day Keynote will feature one of our friends, Dr. Claire Muselman. The Final Day Keynote will feature a presentation from Bill Zachry, former Group VP of Risk Management for Safeway/Albertsons and Dave North, former CEO of Sedgwick who will talk about The Hidden Costs of Misplaced Incentives in WC Systems.

We’ll also hear from Jason Parker about changes we all, and particularly Claims Examiners and Medical Providers, can make in our attitudes that make a real difference in the lives of injured workers. If you have not heard him, you NEED to be part of this session. As well, for balance, there will be a presentation from the Workers’ Injury Law Group – providing a different perspective on the Montana WC System.

In addition, we’ll get the latest on

  • Heat Exposure                            
  • Ergonomics
  • MSA’s with Annie Davidson of Sanderson Comp (an MSIA member)
  • PTSD in Workers’ Compensation from a clinician’s perspective
  • Strengthening Workforce Health with Lorena Pettet Payne from APTA – MT

And of course, the annual MT Workers’ Compensation Court Case Review by Judge Lee Bruner and a presentation by Rob Virts State of Montana Risk Manager and President of KidsChance Montana.

This year’s Conference will be in West Yellowstone from October 6 – 9. The first event is the exclusive MSIA reception with all the speakers at the Madison Crossing Lounge the evening of 10/6. This is for MSIA Members and invited guests only and is sponsored by MyMatrixx, Safety National, Sanderson Comp and Triage Now. More information on this event is below, but it is lining up to become one of the ‘can’t miss’ events in Montana.

Register for the Conference here and learn about hotel options here: 2026 Governor's Conference on Workers' Compensation

Finally, bring the family! If the weather holds - - this is a GREAT time to get into the park. The crowds are GONE and you can get around and see Old Faithful, the Painted Pots, Artists Canyon, Mammoth and so much more – up close! Again, if the weather holds, this is a tremendous opportunity to see the park – up close and personal! Bring the family.

 

 

MSIA Business & Annual Meeting @ The Gov’s Conf 10/7

  • Sponsored by Browning, Kalezcyc, Berry & Hoven & Clarus IME & Definiti Comp Solutions/Definity Rx & Wrenwell Claims
  • Annual Members Public Policy Survey Coming Soon!

The MSIA Business & Annual Meeting will be held at the West Yellowstone Holiday Inn, starting at 9:45a on Wednesday 10/7. If you cannot attend, please provide your proxy to the Board for quorum purposes. This meeting is for ALL MEMBERS, employers and associates. We need to hear from you and your perspectives on the Association business is important. This meeting is sponsored by Browning, Kalezyc, Berry & Hoven & Clarus IME & Definiti Comp Solutions/Definity Rx & Wrenwell Claims and we could not run the Association as well without the support of our members. Thank you!

With a new legislature coming to Helena starting in January, we will have our hands full. You will again get weekly UPDATES on the latest in politics, the fun that happens when the legislature is in session and anything that could impact workers’ compensation in the state. With term-limits, natural attrition and the nature of Montana politics, we have about a 25% turn-over in legislators each year. Educating new legislators, who run on specific goals and promises, is always a challenge. When we talk about workers’ compensation, even more so (no one should be born this dull!).

We can expect the usual suspects to be discussed

  • Choice of Physician
  • Eliminate SAWW Benefit Limits or Increase Them Significantly
  • PTSD Coverage
  • More Presumptive Coverages

As well, we have our own agenda, based on your past direction from the Annual Members Survey (if you don’t provide us direction, we cannot pursue the changes you need) We cannot tell you how important it is to respond to the survey! All responses are held in the strictest of confidence.

  • Eliminate the Treating Provider Deference Created by the Courts
  • Expand Access to IMEs
  • Maintain a Fair and Balanced System for Workers and Employers

As you know, workers’ compensation cannot be the fail safe for so many of society’s issues. The system cannot be all things, to all people. With the pressures of a changing health care system, changes at the federal level and the need for more services, workers’ compensation has to remain steadfast in being what it is – the back-stop for when workers’ get hurt, and the provider of reasonable and necessary medical care in those situations. No one wants to get hurt, no one wants accidents to happen. Accident prevention is important, but we’re human – accidents are going to happen. How we respond is at least equally important. That’s what the workers’ compensation system should do – provide for appropriate medical care and provide for benefits to keep the family going until recovery and return to life. The MSIA works to Make Montana’s Workers’ Compensation System, Work Better.

We will also review our finances, approve a budget for next year, and elect Board members. Our Board seats are on a staggered term basis – this year three of the seven seats are up – including the dedicated Associate Member seat, currently held by Michael Marsh of Midland Claims Service. The other seats are the Vice Chair, currently held by Dee Walcheck of Logan Health and an At Large seat currently held by Vicki Evans with the MT Contractors Compensation Fund. The incumbents are willing to continue, however, if you are interested in serving on the Board, please contact the MSIA office. All members are eligible to serve. 

If you cannot attend the MSIA Business Meeting in West Yellowstone on Wednesday 10/7 - - please provide your proxy (email is fine) to the Board of Directors:

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

I, _____________________________(your name), representing ______________________________________ (MSIA Member) hereby provide my PROXY for quorum purposes only to the MSIA Board of Directors to conduct the Business Meeting scheduled for October 7, 2026. 

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  • MSIA Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting will immediately follow and we will welcome everyone else from the Governor’s Conference to join us to hear from Bill Zachry national WC leader and former Group VP of Risk Management for Safeway/Alberstons present, Guardrails for Artificial Intelligence – Designing Systems That Produce Better Results. I don’t know that we could have a more timely discussion of A.I. Zachry offers a thoughtful, nuanced and broad perspective on AI applications based on his vast knowledge of how business – and how workers’ compensation works. Zachry is a national business & WC leader. His presentation will cover guardrails of course, and the benefits as well as hard stops that MUST be included in any business application of Artificial Intelligence. He will discuss the HAL Laws, impacts of AI on business and regulation, as well as the potential impacts for consumers, employment and everyday life. This presentation will provide CE credit for MT WC Claims Examiner license holders (if you sign in).

Exclusive MSIA Reception With All the Conference Leaders - 10/6 @ Madison Crossing Lounge – West Yellowstone

  • Sponsored by MyMatrixx & Sanderson Comp & Safety National & Triage Now

The most important WC Conference in Montana deserves to start right. MSIA is hosting the first reception at the Governor’s Conference for the national leaders who will be attending the Conference as speakers. This exclusive Members and invited guest only event is possible only based on our member sponsors - MyMatrixx & Sanderson Comp & Safety National & Triage Now. This cannot happen without their support – thanks to them, and thanks to all our members for your support – and willingness to provide speakers for the Conference.

We will be at the event space at the Madison Crossing Lounge with heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks starting at 6p on Tuesday 10/6. This is an event you do not want to miss. We will be joined by Bill Zachry, former Group VP for Risk Management for Safeway/Albertsons, Dave North, former CEO of Sedgwick, Dr. Claire Muselman of Drake University and DCM Management, Jason Parker, nationally recognized leader in Return-To-Work, Annie Davidson with Sanderson Comp, the leadership and staff of the Department of Labor who put on the Conference and many more. This event is limited to MSIA Members and invited guests only. As a result, it is generating a good amount of buzz and is becoming one of THE EVENTS to attend at the Governor’s Conference.

See you in West on Tuesday 10/6 starting at 6p!

MSIA Annual Members Survey Coming Soon

The Annual MSIA Members Survey will be released in September and responses are due prior to September 30. This survey is completely confidential – we do not share who responds, nor what you might say. We use the information as the basis for our public policy positions and legislative efforts.

  • It seems every other state has permitted first responders to access WC benefits for PTSD – Does Montana REALLY need to continue to prohibit Mental-Mental claims?
  • Should we permit the Choice of Provider to revert to the Employee Choice?
  • Should MSIA support the State of Montana to have free choice of WC coverage placement?
  • Should MSIA change our name?
  • If you could change one thing about the MT WC System, what would you change?

Your responses are kept with the highest of confidentiality. Upon receipt they are labeled ‘Response 1’, ‘Response 2’, etc and your email to us is deleted. It is not important who provides the response – the survey only goes to our 62 members. What is important is that we hear from you. Your positions, your experience, your knowledge of system operations is vitally important to our ultimate positions and work with public policymakers. You drive what we do.                                 

Welcome New MSIA Member – TriageNow

Workplace injuries are multi-layered. Not only is employee care a top priority, but there are so many other facets to consider. TriageNow helps you in every aspect, including outsourcing the liability of the Supervisor or Manager making medical decisions to one of our Medical Professionals. If a clinical referral is made, the information will also be shared with the employee via text. TriageNow will also send all necessary documentation to the clinic in advance of their arrival. While Employee care is PRIORITY ONE, TriageNow is committed to guiding injured employees to the most appropriate level of care. Our experienced U.S. based Registered Nurses evaluate with a holistic view — including injury details, medical history, current medications, and other relevant factors — to ensure informed, individualized recommendations of care. When needed, these clinical resources are recommended and TriageNow will streamline the clinic visit by sending documentation to the clinic in advance of the employee’s arrival. The result is a better employee experience as well as lower overall costs.

As well, TriageNow also offers a Co-Branded or Private Label Solution for those employers who want it. These services allow your company to offer your “own” triage service without the expense of your own call center and staff. This transparent partnership offering provides:

  • Calls answered as “Your Company” Nurse Triage
  • Documentation rebranded with your logo and info
  • All Client Services, Customer Support, and Client Training are facilitated by TriageNow.
  • Co-presentations during the sales process (if desired), and in addition,

With the Private Label solution,

  • Rebranded training materials and presentations
  • Client services training and rebranded on-boarding forms

TriageNow is behind you all the way, and the client never sees us unless you’d like them too. We’re behind you in the process ensuring the delivery of the service as you, by you. For more information contact Chad Haas at CHaas@TriageNow.net or 480-313-8746.