The State of Tennessee constantly looks for innovative solutions to improve their workers’ compensation program. Rodney Escobar, the State’s Director of Risk Management and Claims Administration and arguably the front runner of the State’s efforts, was awarded the top honor – Risk Manager of the Year – at this year’s PRIMA Conference. This year’s PRIMA Conference was held this week in Phoenix, Arizona and attended by more than 1,000 public risk management thought leaders and subject experts. The State’s efforts to better their program were also recognized, winning the award for Outstanding Achievement for a Public Risk Management Product for their Cyber Security Response Plan. The plan was developed by the State, with assistance from Escobar, and was utilized throughout the state’s government and higher education. Escobar and the State’s Treasury Department were able to combine the State’s claims administration and risk management divisions, that had been previously managed in silos under two different directors. With Rodney’s leadership over both divisions, he would implement a unified risk management program. After working with the same TPA for 20 years, the State partnered with CorVel to implement their integrated claims management services. Some of the many program highlights under Escobar include: Claims Management – Reduced the total workers’ compensation incurred costs 38% from $17.8 million in 2012 to $11 million in 2016. 24/7 Nurse Triage – Reduced lag time by more than 50% Statewide Return to Work program – 80% reduction in losses in the corrections department alone resulting in significant savings During his acceptance speech, Escobar noted the hard work and numerous changes required after switching their workers’ compensation program to CorVel. He also mentioned the important role that CorVel’s technology, including their integrated claims platform, CareMC played in their success. Now, with CareMC, is the first time that everyone in the State is using the same platform. “We had many challenges with trying to determine the changes we wanted to implement,” Escobar said. “The services that [CorVel] provides us through the 24/7 nurse triage and their software system, CareMC, was the key for us to connect all the large silos and small silos to really put them on the same platform, and that has been the driver for these savings as well.” To learn more about CorVel’s solutions, visit their website. Watch PRIMA’s video highlighting Rodney Escobar and the State of Tennessee.
