Other Events ...

MASI 2008 SPRING GOLF TOURNAMENT...

A Great Time for Everyone who Participated!

MASI hosted its 2008 Spring Golf Tournament on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at Castlewoods Country Club in Brandon, Mississippi. Thirty golfers participated, including Miss. Workers' Comp. Commissioner Leon Collins. Commissioner Johnny Junkin joined us as well, riding a cart with Perry Nations as they cheered Gen. Collins' team on to an impressive finish! Castlewoods proved to be an excellent choice for this year's tournament. The hamburger buffet was delicious, and the staff was most accomodating. MWCC Director of Self-Insurance Preston Williams assisted Dan Gibson with the beverage cart, and the weather was gorgeous! The prizes were most generous - over $1,000 in cash and merchandise was given away! We are already looking forward to another great time this fall at The Preserve Golf Club on September 17! Many thanks to our sponsors for this year's tournament. To view a list, click here.

MASI Executive Director Presents Session on MASI and Self-Insurance at Wilkins, Stephens & Tipton Seminar

MASI Executive Director Dan Gibson presented a session on self-insurance at a continuing education seminar being sponsored by Wilkins, Stephens & Tipton on May 15, 2008. The session was entitled "Self-Insured Workers' Comp in Mississippi - Waking the Giant". The seminar was held at the Hilton Hotel on County Line Road in Jackson, MS. The seminar offered six hours of continuing education.

MASI Executive Director Speaks to Gulf Coast Risk Managers' Association

MASI Executive Director Dan Gibson spoke to the Gulf Coast Risk Managers' Association on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the Bridges Golf Resort at the Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis, MS. His topic was"MASI - The Voice of One".

MASI: A Prime Sponsor and Presenter at the 21st Annual Workers' Compensation Educational Conference

MASI was a Prime Sponsor of the MWCEA Conference, which took place April 29 - May 1, 2008, at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi. In addition, MASI hosted a break-out session entitled "MASI's World". The session featured presentations by Dan Gibson, MASI Executive Director and Preston Williams, Director of Self-Insurance for the MWCC. You may link to the MWCEA Website for more information.

MASI Board of Directors Spring Retreat

MASI's Board of Directors met on Wednesday, April 16, in the Educational Center on the 2nd Floor of the Mississippi Truckers Association for a Spring Retreat. Numerous issues were discussed including Best Practices in various areas, Legislative Issues, upcoming events, and the future of MASI.

Self-Insurance Featured at MSU Insurance Day

Self-Insurance in Mississippi was the topic of a breakout session at this year's MSU Insurance Day, held in Starkville, MS on April 2, 2008. A panel moderated by Mr. Foster Welburn, Administrator for the Mississippi Manufacturers Association WCG and former MASI Board President, discussed issues pertaining to self-insured workers' compensation including how self-insurance got its start, the pros and cons of self-insurance, the future of the industry, and other related topics. The panel consisted of Mr. Carl Carter, Administrator for the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Workers' Compensation Trust, Mr. Dan Gibson, Executive Director of MASI, Mr. Roger Riddick, Attorney for Upshaw, Williams, Biggers, Beckham & Riddick, and Mr. Preston Williams, Director of Self-Insurance for the MWCC.

MASI First Annual Winter Educational Seminar

Mississippi Hospital Association - Madison, February 12, 2008

The first annual Winter Educational Seminar was the successful start of what we hope will become an annual event. From all accounts, everyone enjoyed the sessions, thanks to the outstanding presenters who worked so hard to provide excellent information for the attendees. Several individuals commented that the presentations were the best they had ever heard at a conference. The program was worth six hours of continuing education in various categories. Obviously, a high standard has been set, and we congratulate all of our instructors on a job well done. Thanks also goes to the Mississippi Hospital Association for hosting our seminar, and to our caterer, Helen Abraham, who served up such a delicious menu, which included breakfast, lunch, and two refreshment breaks.

We also wish to thank our four major sponsors, AmFed Companies, Midwest Employers Casualty Co., Upshaw, Williams, Biggers, Beckham & Riddick, and Wilkins, Stephens & Tipton,

Click here to view the 2008 Seminar Schedule.

Click here to view a list of our Seminar Registrants and Exhibitors.

 

MASI 10th Annual Workers' Compensation Conference 

Waking the Giant
The Beau Rivage - Biloxi, September 26 & 27, 2007

MASI's Tenth Annual Workers' Compensation Conference was a great success, being held at the newly-renovated and luxurious Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi. The conference had an exciting beginning with Elvis stealing the show at the reception Wednesday night in the Magnolia Ballroom. Thursday was jam-packed with informative presentations, opportunities to learn and exchange ideas, and a drawing for $1500 and numerous door prizes at the conclusion of the afternoon session. Six hours of continuing education was included for various categories. MASI will return to the Beau Rivage next year for the 11th Annual Workers' Compensation Conference, Wednesday & Thursday, September 17 & 18, 2008! Click here to view the 2007 Conference Schedule. Click here to view a list of our 2007 Conference Sponsors. Click here to view a list of our 2007 Conference Exhibitors. Click here to view a list of our 2007 Conference Registrants.

Next Year's Dates!

Dates have already been set for next year's conference and golf tournament, so be sure to mark your calendars! The Golf Tournament will be held at The Preserve on Wednesday, September 17, 2008. The 11th Annual Workers' Compensation Conference will be held Wednesday & Thursday, September 17 & 18, 2008 at The Beau Rivage. See you there!

Contact the MASI office at 601-354-0199 for more details.

 

 

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Membership renewal is about to be underway for the new year (July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009). Watch for your renewal information, being mailed and e-mailed soon!

MASI MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORIES

New directories are available to MASI Members. If you would like extra copies, please contact the MASI office. 

NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

If you are not a member and are interested in becoming a part the MASI organization click here for a membership application which you can complete and fax, mail or email to our office for processing.  Each member is important to our efforts to represent the interests of the self-insureds in Mississippi and we greatly appreciate your support.

GENERAL RULE 7 REVISIONS IMPLEMENTED BY MWCC

A revision of General Rule 7 was implemented by the MWCC on November 1, 2007. MASI had several meetings with Mr. Preston Williams, Director of Self-Insurance, and we appreciate his cooperation in allowing our input into the revision. This is the first time General Rule 7 has been revised since its inception. You may view the changes by clicking here.

MASI Welcomes New MWCC Commissioner, General Leon Collins

Governor Haley Barbour recently announced his appointment of General Leon Collins to fill the vacancy on the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission. General Collins is a patriot who will serve our state well. He is originally from Booneville and has been a member of the Army National Guard for thirty years. Gen. Collins recently concluded an assignment in Iraq for which he was honored by both houses of the Mississippi Legislature. MASI extends its warmest congratulations and best wishes to General Collins. We look forward to working with him on behalf of Mississippi! To view Governor Barbour's announcement, follow this link: http://www.governorbarbour.com/appointments/2007/aug/apptCollins.htm .

 

Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission Revises Medical Fee Schedule

MASI Study Group Addresses Proposed Changes

On Monday, June 11, 2007, the Mississippi Association of Self-Insurers held a meeting of its Fee Schedule Study Group to discuss the status of the 2007 Proposed Changes to the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Schedule and related rules. These revisions were released by the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission on May 4, 2007 and were implemented on August 1. They are accessible on the MWCC website, www.mwcc.state.ms.us.

At this meeting, many issues were discussed. Overall, everyone expressed a spirit of optimism that the new Fee Schedule would be something everyone can work with. Over the past month, MASI has been greatly involved in the process of reviewing the proposed changes, communicating various points of concern to the Commission, and offering our input. On the whole, the Commission has been very open to us and many of our suggested changes to the schedule have been accepted. Many individuals have been involved in this process, and we extend our appreciation to them and to the Commission for allowing MASI to be involved in this process.

Some of the most significant changes are as follows:

     1.     Time limits that will be very helpful to our members are being put into the new schedule. For example, a one year time limit for submitting bills is being put in. Presently, there is no time limit and health care providers have been known to submit bills for payment that are two or three years old. Also, a one year time limit for retro pre-certifications is being put in.

     2.     Pharmacy rules will remain the same. Language had been changed that would have limited a payer's ability to encourage use of generics. This language has been taken out.

     3.     Psychiatric treatment will require mandatory pre-certification.

     4.     A set rate of $300 per day is being put in for beds at skilled nursing facilities. Currently, there is no limit.

MASI's goal through all of this has been to represent our members. If you have any questions, or would like to respond to any issues, please let us know. We value your input and are here to serve you!

MASI Welcomes Dan Gibson as New Executive Director

The Mississippi Association of Self-Insurers announces the appointment of Dan M. Gibson as Executive Director. 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. We are proud to welcome Dan aboard - he is here to serve you!

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.