Calif.’s State Fund Implements New Reform Measure

State Compensation Insurance Fund announced the establishment of an enhanced Medical Provider Network (MPN) that will assure the provision of rapid access to medical treatment for injured workers.

The network expands on State Fund’s existing medical network which has reduced medical treatment costs for employers and provided medical care to workers. The expanded network combines the resources and skills of Kaiser Permanente, State Fund’s Preferred Provider Network (PPN) and now includes selected member physicians from Blue Cross of California’s PPO.

This new network is the latest initiative by State Fund to implement landmark reform legislation enacted by the State Legislature and signed into law last year by Governor Schwarzenegger. The reform legislation permitted, but did not require, insurers to create networks composed of doctors specializing in work-related injuries and doctors with expertise in general areas of medicine.

Approximately 10,300 health care providers at 10,000 facilities are part of State Fund’s MPN.

State Fund Vice President Connie Raiche said, “Our Medical Provider Network enhances our ability to provide injured workers with skilled health care providers, as well as primary and specialized care facilities. It also has the potential to reduce costs and bring further rate relief to California employers.”

New workers’ compensation insurance reform requires that employers and workers’ compensation insurers provide information regarding their medical provider networks to all covered employees. State Fund has developed a brochure entitled “EMPLOYEE’S GUIDE TO THE STATE FUND MEDICAL PROVIDER NETWORK” to meet this requirement. State Fund will distribute this brochure to policyholders. For a list of MPN Providers, please visit MEDfinder at www.scif.com.