Public Meeting of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board

A meeting of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board was held on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Office of the Chairman, 21 Oak Street, 4th Floor, Hartford, CT.

Agenda Topics

Opening Remarks
Chairman Mastropietro’s Update
Approval of Minutes
New Business
Adjournment

A regular meeting of the Workers’ Compensation Commission Advisory Board was held on April 4, 2011, in the CRB Hearing Room at the Chairman’s Office, 21 Oak Street, Hartford, CT.

The meeting convened at 10:00 a.m. with the following Board Members present: Chairman Gardner Wright, Gregory Nokes, and Linda Passanisi. Members of the Commission: Chairman John Mastropietro. Members of the public: Kia Murrell of CBIA and William Clark.

Chairman Mastropietro stated that the agency’s budget remains the same until the Governor and Legislature reach an agreement. The Governor’s budget calls for several reductions in the Commission’s budget:

Closure of the Middletown District Office including all assigned staff plus two Commissioners. He presented three potential jurisdictional revisions under consideration.
Elimination of Rehabilitation Services including all assigned staff.
Elimination of DOIT and the agency’s two IT contractors.

Chairman Mastropietro explained how the closure of the Middletown Office will impact the agency’s business of managing claims and hearings. The agency needs sufficient time and funds to close the programs. Middletown requires 120 days to redistribute claims and notify claimants. Rehabilitation Services needs a similar period to notify Rehab clients and funds to pay final payments to colleges, schools, and on-the-job training vendors.

Chairman Mastropietro also discussed Senate Bill 986, An Act Concerning Additional Requirements for an Employer’s Notice to Dispute Certain Care Deemed Reasonable for an Employee under the Workers’ Compensation Act. The agency does not anticipate a large increase in hearings, thus the bill will have a minimal fiscal and administrative impact on the agency.

The Practitioner’s Fee Schedule will be issued on July 1, 2011. The Medical Protocols are being revised as to injuries to the spine and shoulders. The Pain Management protocols are still in process.

Discussion was held about the current vacancies on the Advisory Board. The Governor’s Office is aware that three vacancies exist.

There being no further business, on a motion made by Gregory Nokes, seconded by Linda Passanisi, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 11:05 a.m.