I’ve updated the Medical Provider Network lists as of 6/5/2009. Most of the updates to the MPN lists page are contributed by loyal users of this website. What’s interesting about the latest update is that it was actually contributed by an insurance company themselves!1
One thing I’ll never understand is why so many MPN lists have logins and passwords. The whole point of a website is to make that kind of information available. Its not like these lists of MPN doctors and providers are secret, right? If anything, making these website more user friendly and more navigable will enable people (injured workers, applicant attorneys, defense attorneys, and judges) to actually find physicians and help smooth the operation of the system.
In any case, I think this is a great first step. I would love to offer everyone a unified source for all California Medical Provider Network websites, logins, and passwords. It would be even better to have the insurance companies and third party administrators just send me the updated information for their links as they update their sites.
On July 23, 2008 this website was all of one year old. That day I made a goal of posting something2 every single weekday.3 Today is the 100th post on this site and I can’t help feeling somewhat accomplished.4
As any website regular can tell, I’m constantly tinkering with this site. I fully understand constant change might be somewhat disorienting. On the other hand, I’m making these changes in an effort to improve the appearance and usability of the website.
Most recently, I moved the Medical Provider Network and Links sub-pages to be their own5 menu options. These pages seem to be things people use a lot and really deserve their own spot at the top. Then again, I don’t want the top menu to be too cluttered. There’s really no one great solution to this dilemma.
Other changes I’m considering:
Moving the EAMS and WCAB search functions to their own page. Some users6 use these functions exclusively and probably don’t appreciate the dozen or so other calculators.
Combining the Blog and Articles pages. I haven’t done this so far because I doubt people want to sift through my technobabble to learn something about workers’ compensation.
How can you make their job easier? Well, the good news is you don’t have to, I’ve given you all the tools to make your office run faster and more efficiently, saving you time and money.
Top 5
MPN’s. Medical Provider Network lists, complete with logins and passwords. Whether you’re on the applicant or defense side, your staff is going to need access to these lists. You can find a doctor for your client or so you can give a list of doctors to opposing counsel.
EAMS DWC to ADJ Number Search Engine. Chances are you’ve got cases with more than one “legacy” Board file number. With this search engine, you can search for the corresponding EAMS ADJ numbers. And, you can search for as many Board (or ADJ) numbers as you want at the same time, just by separating them with commas.
EAMS Office Search Engine. When your staff is filling out documents for you, they’re going to need to know the correct name and address for all the parties. When they need to call opposing counsel, they can also look up the phone number with this search engine.
EAMS Document Type and Document Title Search Engine. Your staff needs a quick way to find the exact EAMS document type and EAMS document title for every document cover sheet getting filed with the Board. Sure, they could comb through four or five pages of 3 point font on the Board’s form. Or, better yet, they could search and find exactly the document type and title they need.
EAMS Body Part Codes. There are 62 different body part codes in the EAMS system. There’s no need to keep the EAMS chart on hand, just tell your staff what body part you want on the form and have them look it up on this website.
DWC / WCAB / EAMS Forms. There are now more than 130 different forms, new and “legacy”, available on the DIR website. There’s no reason your staff should have to scroll up or down looking for the right form. Type in a few characters and get a direct link right to the exact form you need.
Date Calculator. Sure, everyone in your office could have their own date wheel. In my experience, date wheels and money charts are two of the most commonly swiped office aides right after the good stapler and scotch tape. With a date calculator built into the website, all of your staff can quickly and easily calculate the number of days between two dates or what day it will be in a certain number of days.
I am constantly trying to think of ways in which to improve this website and to make it a better resource for California Workers’ Compensation professionals. If you’ve got an idea as to how I can improve this site, drop me a line and let me know.
What’s that? I only promised the top five PDRater.com features? Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of the first rule of business: Under promise and over deliver.
After watching a friend try to navigate the original link system, I’ve updated the links section. (Sorry, Steve!) These are the links I’ve found helpful. Links to WCAB/DEU forms, the Labor Code, the Board Rules, insurance and workers’ compensation blogs and news websites, links to every MPN I could find, and a whole lot more.
