2011 Fall Conference was a Tremendous Success.... Click Here for information on speakers, presentation downloads, etc.

MWCC Proposes Rule Changes. Click Here for more info...

Direct Appeal Is Now Law!

MASI is proud to have helped pass a new law this year: Direct Appeal, HB1078. This new law represents great progress for Mississippi – it will help streamline the legal process by allowing Work Comp cases to by-pass the Circuit Court level and go directly to the Miss. Court of Appeals, shortening the legal process by as much as one year. Workers’ Comp Judge Deneise Lott shared these words with us: “Congratulations to you and MASI for shepherding this legislation to a successful conclusion! It is much-needed reform that should have occurred decades ago. The fact that it has finally passed is a testament to MASI's persistence and leadership, as it clearly would not have happened without MASI's support. What a great legacy!” 

MASI ANNOUNCES EXPANDED FOCUS-

WORKERS' COMP AND SELF-INSURED HEALTHCARE!

The Obama Healthcare Reform, passed last year by Congress and currently being implemented nationally, has brought many challenges to the self-insured community. As a result, many large employers, who traditionally have looked to MASI for help in workers’ comp, are now struggling to understand the changes now taking place in health insurance. The possible implications of all of this are enormous. Large employers could be greatly impacted by the mandatory changes in healthcare – and costs could escalate considerably. In response to this pressing need, MASI has expanded its focus. In addition to representing its members in self-insured workers' comp issues, we will now be serving as an advocate for self-insured health as well! MASI has already been working in this direction - a special day focusing on Health Reform was added to the 2010 Fall Conference. And MASI included Healthcare Legislation in its lobbying activities with the Mississippi Legislature this year, even sending updates on Healthcare bills to its members on a routine basis. To further demonstrate its expanded focus, MASI's First Annual Spring Health Symposium was held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at the Mississippi Hospital Association. The all-day event was well-attended, included six hours of continuing education credits and was full of good information all health professionals should know!

 

MASI LAUNCHES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR WORKERS' COMP PROFESSIONALS

MASI is pleased to announce the historic beginning of a new certification program in Mississippi: the CSIWCP- Certified Self-Insured Workers' Comp Professional - a professional designation intended to promote excellence in Mississippi's self-insured Workers' Compensation community.This program will consist of Four Modules: Work Comp Basics, Claims Management and Medical, Legal Principles, and Loss Prevention and Safety. The modules will be spread out over time, and completion of all modules and ongoing continuing education will be required to earn and keep the CSIWCP designation. MODULE I was held on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at the Mississippi Trucking Association located at 825 North President Street in Jackson. Watch this site for details of upcoming Modules and dates!

2011 Winter Seminar Rated Superior by Record Crowd

Click Here for Details.

MASI has broken a membership record! We now have over 100 members!!

MASI represents thousands of Mississippi employers with millions in annualized premiums, both in self-insured workers' comp and self-insured health. MASI represents 11 of the 13 self-insurance groups in Mississippi. MASI members control a huge portion of the overall workers' comp and self-insured health market in Mississippi. Last year, we paid just under 45% of the total workers' comp claims paid in the entire state!

 

        

The 13th MASI Annual Fall Conference was the best ever - informative presentations, networking opportunities, and exciting social events, including a Golf Tournament, Welcome Reception, and a Draw Down Party where numerous door prizes and a grand prize of $1,500 cash were given away! Golfers especially enjoyed the resort, considered the “Crown Jewel” of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail!   And the Conference Facilities, Spa, and Luxurious Rooms were second to none!

 

Fee Schedule Revisions Adopted by MWCC

The Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission has recently adopted revisions to the Mississippi Workers' Comp Medical Fee Schedule. This schedule was last revised in 2007. MASI was very involved in the last revision and was again allowed to be very involved in this one. A lengthy list of proposed improvements to the Fee Schedule was adopted by MASI and delivered to the MWCC, and many of MASI's recommendations were included in the revision.

The new schedule became effective July 1. To view the new schedule, click here.

 

2010 Spring Golf Tournament and Free Membership Feast was a great success! Click Here to view our sponsors...

Click Here to view pictures!!

  MASI Sells Out 3rd Annual Winter Seminar

MASI held its 3rd Annual Winter Seminar on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at the Mississippi Hospital Association in Madison, MS. This event was a sellout, and was worth six hours of continuing education. 21 exhibitors also participated, and everyone seemed to greatly enjoy the day.

To view pictures, click here.

To view a list of sponsors and exhibitors, click here.

To view a registration list, click here.

Winter Seminar Sponsors:

MASI thanks its GOLD SPONSORS

Self-Insured Solutions, Inc.

Wilkins Tipton, P.A.

MASI thanks its SILVER SPONSORS

AmFed Companies

Copeland, Cook, Taylor and Bush, P.A.

Midwest Employers Casualty Corporation

 

  MASI Hosts Very Successful Legislative Luncheons

For the third year, MASI hosted Legislative Luncheons to allow our members to meet with legislators and discuss issues of concern to them. Over sixty people attended the November luncheons, held at River Hills Club in Jackson and at Mary Mahoneys in Biloxi. Attending the luncheons were Hon. Walter Robinson, Chairman, House Ins. Comm., Hon. Brandon Jones, Vice-Chairman, House Ins. Comm., Hon. Billy Hewes, President Pro-Tem of the Senate and member of the Senate Ins. Comm., Hon. Walter Michel, State Senator, Hon. Joe Warren, House Ins. Committee, and Hon. Jessica Upshaw, House Ins. Committee. Also attending were Hon. Liles Williams, Chairman of the MWCC and Preston Williams, Director of Self-Insurance, MWCC. For more information on MASI's Legislative Activities, please click here.

  Dan Gibson in Fifth Year as Executive Director

Dan Gibson, Executive Director for MASI, is here to serve you! Dan is a former mayor of Crystal Springs and a graduate of Mississippi State University where he served as student body president. He first entered the insurance profession in 1994 as an independent agent. In the years since he has worked as a financial consultant for AXA Advisors and owned his own insurance consulting company. As Executive Director, Dan serves MASI as a Registered Lobbyist and liason with the Mississippi Legislature and the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission. If you need to reach Dan, you may contact him at 601-354-0199, or email him at dangibson@masiweb.org.

  PPO Offered for MASI Members

An exclusive occupational Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) was formed by MASI as an additional benefit for MASI members. This exclusive occupational PPO helps MASI members curtail rising medical costs associated with workers' compensation claims.

MASI has partnered with FirstChoice of Mississippi to develop and maintain the PPO for MASI members. MASI members can access the PPO through their current Third Party Administrator and/or their medical bill review company.

Current enrollment includes approximately 50 hospitals and 2,000 physicians throughout the state of Mississippi and parts of West Tennessee. First Choice has negotiated per diem rates for inpatient care with the MASI PPO member hospitals. FirstChoice physicians have agreed to provide their services below the rates set forth in the Mississippi Workers' Compensation fee schedule. This approach has helped MASI members save millions of dollars on workers compensation medical bills since its origination.

The Mississippi Association of Self-Insurers welcomes your support and urges you to become a member in this association which promotes the interests of self-insurers in Mississippi.