LAKEPORT >> A nurse telephone triage program for workers” compensation cases was unanimously approved by the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 28.
“The nurse will address the front end of potential claims when employees are first injured,” County Counsel Anita Grant said.
The goal of the program is to reduce the number of reported first aid claims that end up in an office visit. The new system will allow the injured employee to self-treat in certain instances and with the advice of the telephone triage nurse. The injury, in these cases, would not need to be seen by a practitioner or doctor.
Examples of first aid cases include exposure to poison oak, bee bites, and simple strains.
Upon injury, an employee will call a designated toll free number with a supervisor or manager to report to a nurse. The nurse will gather information and help the worker access the appropriate medical treatment.
The call center operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is staffed by trained medical professionals to provide first aid advice. It will also serve as a channel for medical treatment for injured employees.
Additionally, the program allows medical professionals to gather information about the injury that is also provided to risk management and medical providers, according to Grant
“This should significantly reduce the reporting lag time and ensure that workers” compensation benefits are provided without delay,” Grant said.
Other benefits of the program include centralized claims reporting; reduction in late claims reporting; reduction in administrative time; more consistent claims procedures; reduction in the number of claims reported — particularly those that can be resolved through first aid — and the elimination of the need for a supervisor or manager to make a “need for treatment” decision.
The program was effective as of 5 p.m. Saturday.
Implementation was delayed, despite the board approving the program in concept, to allow time for all bargaining units to hold a conference and to find a replacement of the county”s third-party administrator, Grant said.
The new third-party administrator for workers” compensation claims is Intercare.
“In checking with other agencies which also moved to Intercare, the agencies were all very complimentary and very impressed,” Grant said.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
