|
Meeting Notes
Agenda Item #1 – Branding
The group engaged in a general discussion on whether and to what extent it should look to developing a distinctive label for itself and how it might brand materials it developed. It was felt that at this point these issues were premature. No consensus emerged and the matter was tabled for future discussion.
Agenda Item #2 – UTBMS Litigation Code Set Articulation.
The Code Set Committee under the direction of Teresa Stange outlined to the group the nature and extent of the review undertaken of the existing UTBMS Litigation Code Set. They were of the opinion that the basic code set was workable but in need of modification and improved articulation for clarity in insurance litigation management. They led the group through a comprehensive task review of the code set outlining their recommendations for changes. A thorough discussion among group members took place and suggested modifications were considered and, where appropriate, made to the code set. A final draft modified code set was unanimously agreed upon by the group. The Code Set Committee will draft a final copy of the modified code set and distribute it for perusal and adoption as finished product by the group.
Agenda Item #3 – Defense Research Institute (DRI) Presentation
The DRI made a presentation to the group on how an electronic web site could be used as an information management tool for the group. It indicated that it was interested in working with the group and facilitating its work by providing the group with a page and series of links on its web site. The DRI site can support both private and public access. The site could be constructed to provide a site for private access and discussion by group members and public access, including non-DRI members for publication of general information. The DRI web site could be used to send out blasters on developments from our group. Related publications such as For the Defense would also be available for information dissemination purposes.
The group noted that there was a natural affinity between this group’s core mission and the services provided by DRI. The potential to link the group’s modified code set with the DRI Recommended Case Handling Guidelines would be a definite value add and give credibility to our group.
No commitments were made by either party. The group unanimously resolved to look into pursuing a web site facilitation relationship with DRI. This would be pursued at the DRI annual conference in San Francisco by an ad hoc committee from our group and be an agenda item for the November 2 nd meeting in Chicago.
Agenda Item # 4 – Workers Compensation Code Set
The Workers’ Compensation Code Set committee presented the draft code set. It was agreed that the next step in validating the code set would be for the code set team members George Woolverton and Peter Miller to conduct a case study on its application with an insurer. The results of that case study and an evaluation of the degree to which this code set improved the reporting relationship between insurers and external law firms will be circulated in advance to all members for comment prior to the November 2 nd meeting. The committee will present a final proposed draft for review and comment by the group at the November 2 nd meeting.
Agenda Item #5 – Metrics Case Study
Utica National Insurance will use the UTBMS code set to demonstrate how an insurer can select a business line in a geographic region and develop metrics that will enable it to conduct an objective comparative analysis of the performance of panel firms and through the process determine which firms are functioning at a best practices level and warrant incorporation into a core panel of preferred providers in conjunction with a convergence program. A case study progress report will be presented at the November 2 nd meeting.
Agenda Item #6 – Next Steps
Items for discussion at the November 2nd meeting:
- The group discussed whether and to what degree its work was completed with the publication of the annotated code sets.
- What will happen to the proposed education training manual if the group ceases to exist?
- Does the group need to be concerned with anti-trust implications if it continues or does the fact that it already consists of a mix of insurers and law firms eliminate that issue?
- Should we look at folding this group into a sub-committee of DRI? Arlene Zalayat recommended that Bob Peahl and Michael Aylward explore this at the DRI San Francisco meeting.
|
