RECORDS OF MEETING
CLAIMS ADVISORY EDUCATIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE
A meeting of the Educational Subcommittee was held at the offices of Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers, 100 Summer Street, Boston on
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2001 AT 9:30 A.M.
Members present -
Mr. Robert D. Woods, Jr. – Chairman
Encompass Insurance Company
Mr. Donald CannMetropolitan Property & Casualty Ins. Co.
Ms. Kathleen H. DevericksThe Premier Insurance Company of Mass.
Mr. James D. DohertyDoherty Insurance Agency, Inc.
Mr. Peter Kellher *The Hanover Insurance Company
Mr. Philip McGinty **Safety Insurance Company
Mr. James MutschlerLiberty Mutual Group
* Substitution for Mr. Francis N. Delage
** Substitution for Mr. Robert J. Kerton
Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers -
Ms. Valerie B. GedziunVice President – Claims
Mr. Robert W. BellClaims Manager
Ms. Suzanne M. RiddleClaims Analyst
Records of Meeting-1-March 28, 2001
Claims Advisory Educational Subcommittee
Also present -
Ms. Kris DrobotThe Premier Insurance Company of Mass.
Maria Walsh, Esq.JAMS
Educational Subcommittee Chairman, Mr. Woods, called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
CAED
01.02 Educational Subcommittee
The Subcommittee began the meeting by reviewing topics for the panel discussion at the appraisers section of the seminar. Some of the ideas discussed were proper negotiation practices, situations involving hostage vehicles and steering. The Subcommittee felt these were topics that would generate considerable discussion along with giving the appraisers some relevant information. After a brief discussion, the Subcommittee felt that it would be a good idea to move Mr. Stephen Oesch with his topic on Aftermarket Parts to earlier in the morning and end the seminar with the panel discussion.
A new agenda for the half-day appraiser seminar was established.
8:00 AM – 8:30 AMRegistration
8:30 AM – 8:45 AMOpening Remarks: Mr. Woods
8:45 AM – 10:00 AMAftermarket Parts – Mr. Stephen Oesch
10:00 AM – 10:15 AMBreak
10:15 AM – 11:15 AMDavid Brink, Esq. Rights and Responsibilities of Appraisers
11:15 AM – 12:00 PMPanel Discussion on Issues Facing Appraisers
Messrs. Brink, Fanikos, Ricci, Castro
Ms. Devericks suggested inviting Mr. Iannaco to give the welcoming remarks at the Appraiser Seminar. Mr. Woods concurred and asked Ms. Gedziun to ask Mr. Iannaco to address a few words to the attendees.
The Subcommitee then discussed the full day seminar. Mr. Mutschler brought the Subcommittee up to date on Dr. David Wakefield, the opening speaker. Mr. Mutschler felt Dr. Wakefield will be a valuable speaker as the information he conveys is very applicable to those handling PIP and Bodily Injury claims. Specific medical bills and reports will be taken from claim files for his evaluation.
Ms. Laura Krauss, from the Insurance Fraud Bureau, will be bringing with her two Nurse Attorneys to discuss some insurance claim fraud issues. Ms. Krauss will be discussing how adjusters can best prepare a case with the Fraud Bureau, what the Fraud Bureau needs in terms of investigation, and what adjusters should be on the lookout for. Ms. Krauss will also discuss some successfully prosecuted cases by the Fraud Bureau.
Ms. Gedziun will have 15 minutes to show four or five websites, one being CAR’s website. This will be a good opportunity to show what is out there and how to access it on-line. Ms. Gedziun will have five pages of resources on claims information which will include listings for all the government sites. All this information will be included in the hand out.
CAED
01.02Educational Subcommittee Continued
Mr. McGinty thought that Mr. Larry Boyle would cover both 93A and recent case law. He will also touch on five significant cases.
Attorney Maria Walsh joined the Educational Subcommittee to discuss her presentation and the mock arbitration. She said that she is planning on having a plaintiff attorney, a plaintiff, an arbitrator, and a defense attorney or defense adjuster for the mock arbitration. Ms. Walsh will walk through the case for the audience and will have someone be the arbitrator. The case will involve an actual Underinsured motorist case with a pedestrian.
The following agenda is for the full day seminar
8:00 AM – 8:30 AMRegistration
8:30 AM – 8:45 AMOpening Remarks: Ms. Devericks/Mr. Woods
8:45 AM – 10:15 AMDr. Wakefield, Medical Terminology and Billing Techniques
10:15 AM – 10:30 AMBreak
10:30 AM – 11:15 AMLaura Krauss, case preparation by the adjusters
11:15 AM – 11:30 AMMs. Gedziun, Internet and Claim Handling
11:30 AM – 12:15 PMLarry Boyle, Recent Case Law and Legal Developments
12:15 PM – 1:00 PMLunch
1:00 PM – 2:00 PMMaria Walsh, Mock Arbitration
2:00 PM – 2:30 PMArbitration Forum
2:30 PM – 3:30 PMDavid Brink, Provider Fraud
Other Business
There being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Cann and duly seconded by Ms. Devericks to adjourn the meeting.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
The meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
SUZANNE RIDDLE
Claims Analyst
Boston, Massachusetts
March 28, 2001
Note:These Records have not been approved. They will be considered for approval at the next Educational Subcommittee meeting.