Deconstructing Comp

Send us Fan MailGuest BioGia Sawko | Chief Claims Officer at Signal MutualDecades of claims experience in workers' compensationInstrumental in navigating how AI reshapes the adjuster's roleFocused on preserving and amplifying human judgment in claims workThe ConversationYvonne, Rafael, and Gia get into what's happening in claims work right now. The job is harder than ever. The tools haven't caught up. And there's a path forward if we're willing to think differently about training, technology, and what we ask of the people doing this kind of work.Key Discussion PointsThe Claims Desk Hasn't Been Redesigned in 20+ YearsThe claims adjuster's job has become exponentially more complex. Medical knowledge requirements have expanded. Regulatory demands keep multiplying, and they're harder than ever to navigate. Case management now demands synthesis across medical history, pharmacy data, functional capacity, and emerging compensability questions. But the actual desk, the systems, and the workflows look almost identical to what they did two decades ago. The infrastructure hasn't kept pace with our industry's complexity.Why Don't We Train Claims Adjusters Like Apprentices?Gia makes a good point: we should treat claims adjuster development like other industries treat apprenticeships, such as skilled trades. New adjusters need structured mentorship, graduated complexity, and time to build judgment alongside technical knowledge. Right now, they often get thrown into the deep end. If we reimagined onboarding the way apprenticeship programs do, with clear progression and accountability, we'd build stronger professionals. People who feel accomplished master their craft and stay in the industry.AI as Support, Not ReplacementThe highest-value use of AI in claims isn't automation; it's augmenting what adjusters already do. AI can flag high-risk claims and surface comorbidities. It can summarize documents. But the adjuster owns the relationship with the claimant and the critical judgment calls. The combination between the person and the algorithm is where we'll get the best outcomes.Implementation Challenges Are RealYou can't pause operations to implement AI. Decision fatigue is a risk when adjusters get too many warnings. And AI is only as good as the question asked. We need to teach adjusters how to ask better questions and build trust through testing. This is the "how" nobody's really solved yet.AI Literacy Is Non-NegotiableEvery adjuster needs to become proficient in AI language now. Start small, test on easy tasks, validate against what you already know. Those who build this proficiency will be positioned better than those who don't. The window is now.Deucing Every PointGia is a serious tennis player! Ask her about a match where she lost 6-0, 6-0—and she'll tell you about the deuces, the rallies that mattered, the quality of every point. Lean in to hear what the court might teach us about adjuster mastery.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Send us Fan MailGuest Bio Dr. Robert Hall | Medical Director, Optum Workers' Comp and Auto No-Fault12 years leading medical direction and formulary oversight at OptumPhysical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist maintaining active clinical practice one day per week with injured workersStrategic voice on PBM industry trends, emerging drug therapies, and AI's role in claims prioritizationOur Conversation We explore pharmacy spending trends, compensability questions around new medications like GLP-1s and migraine medications, and how AI can help claims professionals prioritize without replacing judgment. Our conversation builds on CompPharma's 20th Annual Survey released earlier this year. Dr. Hall provided context from his unique PBM perspective.See the CompPharma 2025 Prescription Drug Management in Workers' Compensation SurveyKey Discussion PointsScript Volume Down, Per-Script Costs Up Prescriptions filled decreased 4%, yet per-script costs rose over 4%. Fewer generic opioids are available, causing providers to transition patients to more expensive alternatives. When lower-cost options aren't working, switching to higher-cost versions becomes the default.Opioid Decline Slowing Opioid spend dropped 7%—slower than the 13% annual declines of prior years. While fewer people are on opioids overall, those taking them can face additional complications such as opioid-induced hyperalgesia, where the pain medication itself makes pain worse. Providers unknowingly increase doses thinking pain is worsening, creating a spiral that drives costs and complexity.Efficiency Remains the Industry's Biggest Gap According to Dr. Hall, despite much progress, feedback from injured workers and treating providers is consistent: speed remains a big issue. Authorization turnarounds, surgery approvals, and medication approvals all lag. Efficiency directly impacts outcomes.GLP-1s: Compensability Questions Without Clear Answers GLP-1 medications (weight loss drugs) are appropriate when weight loss is necessary for surgery or when catastrophic injuries cause weight gain. But with 30-40% of adults overweight or obese, there's a strong incentive to route these expensive drugs through workers' comp claims instead of out-of-pocket. The core tension: just because a drug is medically effective doesn't make it work-related. Clear frameworks are needed to distinguish compensable uses from general health expenses.A parallel exists with migraine medications—highly effective for a common condition (10% of the population), creating similar pressure to tie them to workers' comp when they may not be compensable.Important caveat: GLP-1s carry real risks. Severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and hospitalizations have occurred. When complications arise, they become part of the claim, adding complexity and cost.PBMs Score Highest on Customer Service PBMs earned their strongest-ever customer service grades in this year's CompPharma survey. Relationships matter as much as technology. Speed, communication, and partnership mindset drive loyalty.AI Adoption Rising—But De-skilling Risk Is Real About one-third of respondents now use AI tools. The cautionary tale: radiologists improved cancer detection with AI, but their standalone diagnostic ability declined after using it. For workers' comp, AI's highest value is prioritization—flagging the 2 catastrophic claims out of 100 that need immediate attention. The goal is to free human judgment for complex decisions, not replace it. We need to keep using and challenging our brains. Early Identification of Catastrophic Claims AI could synthesize accident type, injury location, physician findings, diagnostic studies, and functional capacity to identify claims spiraling toward permanent total or catastrophic status before they explode in cost. Early intervention changes trajectory.The risk: "creeping catastrophic" claims. Injuries that seem manageable but don't close gradually become complex and expensive. Opioid dosing spirals, high-cost alternatives accumulate, and routine claims become catastrophic without anyone realizing when the shift happened.State Variations as a Learning OpportunityFor folks newer to workers' comp, Dr. Hall suggests the 50 different state regulatory frameworks aren't just learning obstacles—they're live experiments in how to approach injury treatment. Professionals entering the industry should embrace this complexity and diversity to build deeper medical and operational knowledge.The Motorcycle Pivot Dr. Hall learned to ride a motorcycle last year after walking away from the idea a decade ago (when a bike cost as much as new kitchen cabinets). He's now ridden 1,000 miles on quiet Sunday afternoons. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Send us Fan MailIn our latest episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk to Denise Evans, Director of Claims at Staffmark Group.Guest Bio:Denise Evans | Director of Claims, Staffmark Group37 years in the workers' compensation industryNational temp staffing program leadership—managing claims across multiple industries and statesStrategic program architect and industry connector; active in the National Council of Self-InsuredsOur ConversationIn this episode, we tackle unbundling—a strategic choice most self-insured companies face, but few really understand. It affects your costs, outcomes, control, and flexibility.The Choice: Bundled vs. UnbundledBundled: You contract with a carrier or TPA. They handle provider networks, vendor relationships, and medical management. You get discounts from their preferred partners and operational convenience in exchange for limited control. It's predictable. It's hands-off.Unbundled: You build and manage your own program, or parts of your program. You choose providers, set vendor relationships, own day-to-day decisions. You lose some negotiated discounts but gain control and flexibility.For most companies, bundling is the default. The real question is whether it actually works for your business.You Don't Have to Unbundle Everything at Once: Here's what most people miss: unbundling doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can be selective and phased. Build the option into your contract, then unbundle component by component as your capacity grows. Denise unbundles specific areas where control matters most to Staffmark—nurse case management, pharmaceutical, DME, bill review, transportation, translation. The point is to move at your own pace rather than changing the entire program all at once. That's what distinguishes companies that successfully unbundle from those that get overwhelmed and abandon it.Why This MattersThe case for unbundling: When you need control over outcomes that matter to your business—return-to-work rates, duration management, cost containment. You have a specific workforce (or multiple workforces) requiring tailored medical management. You have the internal capacity to manage vendors.Denise's example: Staffmark handles employee leasing and staffing. Workers move between client sites, industries, and states. A one-size-fits-all bundled network doesn't work. They unbundled to have more agility—the ability to build relationships with providers who understand Staffmark's unique recovery demands.The case for bundling: You want predictability. You lack bandwidth for vendor management. You'll accept good-enough outcomes for operational simplicity.The hard truth: Unbundling isn't cost-cutting. It's an investment. You're paying for vendor management infrastructure, relationship-building, and reporting sophistication to defend your program to carriers. Without that capacity, you'll end up worse off than you started.The Core QuestionIs your current program structure actually supporting your business outcomes?If your business depends on a specific workforce profile, recovery timeline, or outcome metric—and your bundled program doesn't optimize for that—you're paying for convenience while leaving money on the table.If you unbundle without infrastructure to manage it, you're paying more for worse results.Let the decision be driven by what you're optimizing for. Not cost. Not convenience. What outcome matters most? Then ask: which structure gets you there?Your Carrier Relationship ChangesUnbundling shifts accountability. When you bundle, the carrier owns program quality and accountability. When you unbundle, you do.Carriers will want data, evidence of sound decisions, transparency into what's working. If your unbundled program underperforms, that becomes a negotiation point at renewal—and it can be expensive.This is why infrastructure matters. You need reporting, metrics, proof points to show carriers your program is solid. If you can defend your approach with data, you have leverage. If you can't, you're vulnerable.Workforce Complexity Drives the DecisionStaffmark operates across temp staffing—workers move between client sites, industries, and geographies. Claims span manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics in the same population.A bundled one-size-fits-all network becomes a liability. You need providers who understand different recovery demands across industries and can move fast. Unbundling becomes a business necessity, not a luxury.Single-industry, stable-geography workforce? Bundling's convenience might be your sweet spot. Complex, multi-industry workforce? You may not have a choice.The Fragmentation FactorManaging a national program across 50+ state regulations, different medical networks, and different carrier relationships is expensive and fragmented.The companies doing this well aren't isolated. They're connected to others solving the same problems. They attend conferences not for networking, but because that's how they hear about approaches that actually work, meet vendors who get it, and stay current on what's changing. That's operational necessity, not optional.Key TakeawaysLet strategy drive structure. What outcome matters most to your business? Answer that first. Too many companies let vendor relationships or carrier preferences dictate strategy.Unbundling requires investment. You need vendor management capacity, reporting sophistication, and the ability to defend your program to carriers. Without it, you'll end up worse off.You own the quality when you unbundle. Expect more carrier scrutiny, more data requirements, more accountability at renewal. But you also get leverage if your program performs.Your business model determines complexity. Multi-industry, multi-state workforce? Your program needs flexibility. Single industry, single state? Bundling might be your answer.Making This DecisionDon't let bundling be your default just because it's convenient. Talk with your team, your carrier, and peers who've navigated this.The real question: does your current structure support your business outcomes? That's worth figuring out. Denise mentioned her work with the National Council of Self-Insurers. Next year, the conference will be at the historic Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. It's a great conference to attend if you want to connect with people actually doing this kind of work.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Send us Fan MailIn our latest episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk to Andrea Mills, President of Ametros.Guest BioAndrea Mills | President, Ametros | Workers' Comp Professional AdministratorNearly 20 years in the workers' compensation industry8+ years with Ametros, currently in her ninth yearLeads the largest professional administration company in the workers' comp space, serving both workers' comp and liability casesSince the recording of this episode, Ametros has expanded Medicare Advantage Plan support and is now available in all states except New York. For more information, visit info.ametros.com/medicare-consultation. Any references to savings are for informational purposes only. Savings are not guaranteed, and past performance or historical results are not indicative of future outcomes.Here are highlights of our conversation with Andrea: 1. The Settlement Cliff: When Support Suddenly StopsInjured workers spend an average of six years in the workers' comp system with full support: medical care, case managers, adjusters. Then settlement happens. Suddenly, most of that infrastructure disappears. They're left managing complex healthcare needs, settlement funds that need to last them years or a lifetime, and ongoing medical treatment entirely on their own.This is the gap Ametros fills.DC micro lesson: The industry has built systems for managing active claims. But we haven't built strong systems for managing the post-settlement phase. There's a resource cliff, and injured workers are expected to navigate it alone. Ametros stepped in to solve this problem. 2. Professional Administration Isn't Process. It's Presence.Ametros helps injured workers manage settlement funds, navigate their healthcare journey, and access the support they need after settlement. Referrals come from adjusters, Medicare Set-Aside vendors, and plaintiff attorneys who all recognize the same truth: injured workers need expert, compassionate support they can actually rely on after their claim is settled. DC micro lesson: Professional administration is about showing up for someone vulnerable and saying, "We're going to help you figure this out." It's about showing up for injured workers and helping them feel at ease and secure about their future medical care. 3. Medication Management: The Invisible Cost of Chronic ConditionsAfter settlement, injured workers face the full cost of their prescriptions for the first time. Chronic pain medications can cost thousands per month. Ametros works with injured workers to find the best alternatives, manage costs, navigate insurance, and ensure medications and care remain affordable.DC micro lesson: What happens to prescriptions after settlement is not a sidebar in the claim story. It's often the center of the story. Ametros helps injured workers think through their long-term care needs and identifies the best options. 4. Empathy Isn't Soft. It's Infrastructure.Ametros doesn't just talk about empathy; they've operationalized it. It's woven into hiring, training, and accountability. It's infrastructure. When injured workers interact with Ametros, they feel seen. That's not accidental. DC micro lesson: We need to stop treating empathy like it's a mindset hack. Start asking: How is empathy built into your processes? How do you hire for it? Coach for it? Help people build capacity for it? Until you answer these questions, you're not operationalizing empathy. You're just talking about it.5. Capacity Comes From Boundaries, Not Gritting It OutAndrea models protecting her own capacity: family time, travel (hello, Italy!), life outside work. Ametros's leadership team protects these boundaries for their teams too. You can't show up for injured workers if you're running on empty. You can't make people feel seen if you're depleted.DC micro lesson: How your team shows up for injured workers is directly connected to how you show up for your team. Capacity isn't something you demand from people. It's something you protect for them.A Final ThoughtAmetros solved a problem the industry had been overlooking: injured workers settling their cases and then disappearing into a resource void. They stepped into that gap and said, "We can do better." That's how you move an industry forward.Kudos to the team at Ametros for winning the Gold Stevie® Award for Sales & Customer Service in the Contact Center of the Year – Other Service Industries category. This recognition is well-earned by a team that puts injured workers' needs first.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Send us Fan MailIn our latest episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk to DJ McConnell, President and Owner of Bailey-McCaffrey, LLC. Guest bio:DJ McConnell | Nurse Case Manager & Owner of Bailey McCaffrey | New Orleans, Louisiana15+ years in the workers' compensation industryWorked at Bailey McCaffrey for 13+ years, recently became President and owner. Brings a healthcare/clinical lens to claims work and organizational leadershipYvonne wishes we had talked more to DJ about taking over the company where he worked for 13+ years. We'll have him back to have a deeper discussion on leadership! Thank you and kudos to DJ for stepping into this new role. We wish him all the best!1. Good Communication Comes First—Learn WhyDJ (like many of us) learned this the hard way: the medical side of workers' comp is predictable. The hard part that nobody teaches you in school is how to communicate with injured workers and their family after a severe or catastrophic injury, and how that first communication impacts the entire claim. DC micro lesson: Before you worry about process, policy, or procedures—understand that how you communicate will determine the entire trajectory of a claim. If you don't teach yourself this early on, you'll spend years learning it the hard way. Ask yourself: What do I know about crisis communications? What do I still need to learn?2. Meet People Where They Are—Not Where YOU Need Them To BeDJ explains how early intervention should be carefully managed. When you show up within 24 hours of an injury, clipboard in hand, asking questions to someone who is in shock or hysterically crying, you've already lost. They're not in a state to receive or give information. DC micro lesson: Your job on the first contact isn't to gather data. It's to establish that you're a human who sees them and will be there when they want or need answers. That's enough. The information can wait.Think about this: What would change if you showed up to the first contact with an injured worker, not with a clipboard but with 100% presence?3. Non-Negotiables Are Infrastructure, Not LuxuryDJ talks about his non-negotiables for maintaining his capacity: sleep, family time, and holding boundaries. We talk about the importance of boundaries and what it costs when you don't maintain them. But he's learned the cost of not protecting them: capacity disappears, communication suffers, presence evaporates.DC micro lesson: Non-negotiables aren't selfish. They're the foundation your capacity is built on.Honest check-in: What are your three non-negotiables? How do you actually protect them?4. Self-Awareness: Notice Before You BreakDJ models self-awareness in his personal and professional life: noticing his emotional response at dinner, acknowledging lack of boundaries, addressing fears as a new business owner. He's not hiding (avoiding) the gap between knowing and doing; he's paying attention to it. So important!DC micro lesson: Self-leadership starts with noticing. What's happening inside you right now? When do you notice your state of mind shifting? When do you realize you're operating from scarcity instead of capacity? How are you addressing the shift when you notice? This is the internal work nobody talks about, but what everybody needs to do.5. Building A Strong FoundationDJ shares how he mentors his team. He role-plays with them. He shows them what presence looks like, what first contact without a clipboard looks like, what protecting your non-negotiables so you can show up for others actually means.DC micro lesson: Mentoring can take many forms. DJ talks about how he's practicing with his team. They role-play together. Sometimes mentoring is being willing to look clumsy while you learn together. DJ is building a company culture where communication and presence aren't nice ideas. They're coached, practiced, and reinforced through real mentoring relationships.That sounds like a good recipe for building a strong foundation!¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Send us Fan MailRecently, we sat down with Jill Dulich to discuss how the workers' compensation system has changed over the past 50+ years. Here's a summary of our conversation: Guest: Jill Dulich | Director of Claims and Operations, California Self-Insurers Security Fund Expertise: 52 years in workers' compensation (Marriott, 32 years; CSSF, 11 years) Geographic Scope: Jill has managed claims in all states west of the MississippiABOUT JILLShe's a living archive of what workers' compensation was, and could be again. Jill has spent 52 years in this industry, partly by maintaining her own humanity outside it: she walks to clear her head, loves to travel internationally (recent trips to New Zealand, Australia, France, Greece), and loves to explore other cultures with genuine curiosity.THE CORE QUESTION52 years ago, claims professionals were measured on early and frequent contact with injured workers.Today, injured workers often feel "lost on an island with no support."So, what changed? And what has it cost us? THEN vs. NOWTHEN (52 Years Ago)Role: Claims professionals guided injured workers through the complex system of workers' compensationMeasure: Early, frequent contact and communication with injured workersBenefit: Injured workers felt supported; employers got predictability and faster resolution on their claimsNOWRole: Claims professionals manage procedures and systemsMeasure: High caseloads, case closure, compliance, efficiencyCost: Injured workers feel abandoned; employers lose goodwill and face more friction and litigationTHE PARADOXJill talks about how she struggled with anxiety early in her career as a claims professional. She didn't know she could ask for help. The work has always demanded emotional presence, and it takes a toll. It requires holding someone else's crisis while managing your own capacity. Hmmm. Have we talked about managing capacity before? Yep!At places like Marriott, where support was offered to claims professionals, it didn't eliminate the struggle. It made it survivable. Jill said it allowed her and others to show up, day after day, with empathy and compassion. Now? The job is harder, and we removed the safety net.Complexity has increased exponentially. We've fragmented the role. And we've stripped away the human support mechanisms that made it possible to guide injured workers with empathy and compassion. Then we wonder why claims professionals are burning out at such a high and fast rate?THE INSIGHTWorkers' comp was designed around one simple truth: Claims professionals are there to guide injured workers through complexity, and when that happens, everyone wins. We optimized for procedure. We lost sight of our mission.The cost: We didn't just sacrifice the role's humanity; we sacrificed its effectiveness and the core mission. And somewhere along the way, we made the job unsustainable for our system guides: claims professionals. WHAT YOU'LL HEARHow the claims role was originally designed, and why it workedWhat we traded when we prioritized systems over relationshipsWhy injured workers and employers both lostAre we ready to redesign for what actually works?A DIRECT QUOTE FROM JILL"We've sort of lost sight of who we're really here for. That's the injured worker—to make sure they are being taken care of, that they know what's happening, that they're communicated with and educated on the system."A Socratic reflection: If you were measured on early, frequent contact with injured workers instead of case closure (speed), how would your day change?¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

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Send us Fan MailYvonne and Rafael sit down with Dave Chmiel, Chief Claims Officer at Hub International. Together, they engage in a great conversation about the broker's perspective on workers' compensation.Episode Highlights☕ The Core Message: Listening Changes Everything (00:02:38)From day one in the brokerage world, Dave was taught to listen, to understand what economic buyers (CEOs, CFOs) actually care about. That skill transcends the boardroom. When you truly listen, you access perspectives you'd otherwise miss. In workers' comp, where we're managing human situations, that's everything.

Send us Fan MailYvonne and Rafael are so excited (and you can tell!). Yvonne declares she's Sandy's biggest fan! And honestly? After listening to this conversation, you'll understand why. Sandy Avina has figured out something our industry has been struggling with for over 100 years: how to make workers' compensation accessible, engaging, and even fun.Sandy Avina, MBA, is a Claim Services Manager with California Schools JPA, a self-insured public risk pool that serves K-12 school districts, community colleges, and regional occupational programs throughout San Bernardino County, California.What we get into:

Send us Fan MailYvonne is joining from her hometown of Bandera, Texas (where the weather can't make up its mind — thirties one day, nineties the next), and Rafael just got back from Chicago. Which is the perfect segue to today's guest — Michael Brennan, Chairman of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, joining us from a snowy Chicago, where, apparently, the high twenties counts as mild. Brrrrrr. Highlights of this episode: ⚖️ Workers' Comp Is a Right, Not a Giveaway — Michael gets personal here. As the grandson of a permanently disabled worker who received nothing back in the 1920s, he brings a deeply human perspective to why this system matters. Workers' comp protects both the worker and the employer — and that point gets lost far too often.

Send us Fan MailYvonne and Rafael sit down with Heather Lore, Executive Director of the IAIABC, for a conversation that covers some important (and undertalked) topics in workers' comp right now.What we get into:

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when Medicare and multiple liens enter the claim, and how do you navigate them without derailing resolution?In this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez talk with John Cattie, managing partner of Cattie and Gonzalez, PLLC. The conversation focuses on Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) compliance and the broader landscape of federal lien resolution in workers' compensation claims.Together, they explore the key components of MSP through the lens of lien management, diving into the different types of federal liens that can arise and how they shape settlement strategy. The discussion centers on the practical challenges of identifying, navigating, and resolving multiple reimbursement interests—an area where confusion and delays often occur in real-world claim handling.John shares practical insights on common missteps, from overlooking lien exposure to mismanaging repayment obligations, and how claims professionals and attorneys can more effectively navigate these complexities to avoid delays and unintended consequences. He highlights key federal lien types, including Medicare, the Veterans Administration, and TRICARE, while reinforcing the importance of identifying other potential reimbursement interests that may impact settlement.Tune in for a grounded perspective on a complex and often challenging topic (this one made Yvonne's head hurt), helping listeners better understand how to approach Medicare's role and lien resolution within the broader claims process.At the end of the episode, John shares fun facts about his favorite pastime, Fantasy Football, and tells us about the sports photos on his wall. Steve Garvey is the Padres baseball player Yvonne could not remember. For more information about federal liens in workers' compensation, contact John Cattie or Rafael Gonzalez at Cattie and Gonzalez, PLLC. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, what was intended to be a conversation about when substance use is considered industrial… turned into a much deeper exploration of how, and why, care in workers' compensation often breaks down.Yvonne and Rafael talk to Dr. Tomer Anbar and Dr. Ramsey Ali and enjoy a powerful, layered conversation that challenges how we think about care in workers' compensation.Dr. Anbar takes us back to the origins of the workers' compensation system: why it was created, how it was structured, and where the “architecture of care” has started to break down over time. He reframes workers' compensation not just as a set of rules and processes, but as a living ecosystem that requires alignment between medical care, human behavior, and system design.A central theme emerges throughout the conversation: we need to stop chasing a diagnosis! Dr. Anbar says, “At some point, we have to stop chasing the diagnosis and start treating the human in front of us.” Anbar suggests that instead of focusing solely on labeling conditions, we should shift toward a better understanding of function, behavior, and the full biopsychosocial picture driving recovery, or the lack of it.Dr. Ali builds on this foundation with a deep dive into PTSD and substance use disorders (SUD) in the workers' compensation setting; two conditions that are often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, or treated in isolation. Dr. Anbar explains how this contributes to disability and unnecessary epidemics. Together, they explore how these conditions intersect, how delayed recovery takes hold, and why fragmented care models often miss what matters most.Dr. Anbar also introduces the concept of psychoneuroimmunology, highlighting the connection between the mind, nervous system, and immune response, and reinforcing the idea that recovery is complex, dynamic, and deeply human.This episode invites listeners to think differently about causation, complexity, and the human experience behind every claim, and challenges the industry to move beyond diagnosis-driven thinking toward a more integrated, evidence-based, and human-centered approach.Dr. Anbar references a recent article in PRIMA Public Risk Magazine titled, How Risk and Claims Leadership Are Reversing the PTSD and Disability Crisis Among First Responders.Yvonne mentions a recent Institutes of Health webinar titled When Substance Use is Industrial. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Send a textIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez talk with Liva Rivera, Chief Communications Officer at Hamilton, Miller, and Birthisel Law Firm, for a lively conversation about the power of social media in building relationships, expanding professional networks, and supporting mentorship within the workers' compensation community.Liva shares how platforms like LinkedIn have evolved from simple professional profiles into powerful tools for connection. Rather than approaching social media with a rigid strategy, she explains how authenticity, curiosity, and consistency have helped her build meaningful relationships across the industry. What began as casual online engagement eventually led to real-world collaborations, friendships, and opportunities, demonstrating that the workers' compensation community is often much smaller and more connected than people realize.The conversation also explores the human side of social media. Liva discusses how showing up online can sometimes invite criticism or skepticism, but she encourages professionals not to let that stop them from participating. Social media, when used thoughtfully, can amplify voices, foster mentorship, and help newer professionals find their place in the industry. For those who feel unsure about posting or engaging, Liva offers a refreshing perspective: you don't need a perfectly curated plan, just start joining the conversation.Yvonne, Rafael, and Liva also dive into the importance of mentorship and community, highlighting how social platforms can bridge generational gaps and help emerging leaders connect with experienced professionals. Whether it's sharing insights, celebrating successes, or simply supporting each other's work, these digital spaces can strengthen the professional fabric of our industry.If you've ever wondered how to use social media in a way that feels genuine, productive, and relationship-driven, this episode offers practical insights and plenty of inspiration. We talked about Rise Professionals on the episode. Be sure to check out their website and their 2026 Annual Leadership Summit under events. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send a textIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, we're joined by Greg Hamlin, Senior VP and Chief Claims Officer at Berkley Industrial Comp (a Berkley Company), for a grounded conversation about the role empathy plays in workers' compensation and why it is so essential in our industry, particularly when communicating with injured workers. Greg shares observations from his experience about how empathy influences communication, decision-making, and trust across claims, leadership, and organizational teams. We explore how understanding a person's perspective, whether it's an injured employee, a claims professional, or a business colleague, can shape how issues are identified, discussed, and resolved.We also chat about how Greg has been able to encourage and develop empathy at the claims desk within his organization. No big surprise, it starts at the top, and Greg talks about what it means to empower his claims professionals. Throughout the episode, we reflect on how empathetic approaches can reduce friction, support clearer communication, and create conditions for better outcomes, without tying empathy to any single role, title, or function. Listeners are invited to consider how empathy already shows up in their work, and where small shifts in perspective or structure might make a difference.Greg is also a fellow podcast host. You can catch his podcast "Adjusted" on your favorite podcast platform. 

Send a textIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez welcome Tammy Boyd, newly appointed President of Kids' Chance of Florida, for a meaningful conversation centered on service, leadership, and the life-changing impact of educational scholarships for children affected by workplace injury or fatality. Tammy shares how her career in workers' compensation shaped her understanding of the human ripple effects of injury, and why Kids' Chance became a mission she felt called to lead.The discussion highlights the heart of Kids' Chance of Florida's work: providing hope, stability, and educational opportunity for children whose families have experienced devastating loss because of a work-related injury, or in some cases, a death. Tammy reflects on the organization's impact, the stories behind the scholarships, and the collective effort required to sustain and grow the program. She also explains how the Florida chapter fits into the broader Kids' Chance of America network, which supports students nationwide through locally driven chapters united by a shared mission.Throughout the episode, Tammy emphasizes that Kids' Chance is more than a charity; it is a long-term investment in people and communities. She offers a call to action for the workers' compensation community to get involved, reminding listeners that behind every claim is a family whose future can be profoundly changed through education. This episode is a powerful reminder that when an industry comes together in service, its impact reaches far beyond the system itself.Tammy shared that the Florida chapter started in 2015, and to date, has awarded over 100 scholarships totaling over $450K in support of students impacted by workplace injury. At the national level, Kids Chance of America has helped more than 11,000 students with over $42 million in scholarships through its network of 50 chapters, one in every state in the US. Upcoming Kids' Chance of FL events:Flagship event: WCI Golf Tournament (August 23, 2026)Breaking news! New for 2026: 2 golf sessions will be available5K Fun Run in South Florida (coming soon!)For more information and to find a chapter in your state, please visit https://www.kidschance.org/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textOur key issues for 2026:1. Mental Health Goes Operational Mental health is no longer fringe in workers' comp. Our real challenge now is operationalizing access to timely, evidence-based mental health care so it supports recovery instead of becoming a barrier.2. End of Healthcare Subsidies = Cost Shifting RiskWith federal funding changes, i.e., the loss of funding tied to healthcare subsidies and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), watch closely for cost shifting into workers' compensation, a pattern the industry has seen before.3. CMS Civil Monetary Penalties. This is a brand-new layer in the Medicare Secondary Payer landscape. CMS is expected to release CMP documentation in March. 4. Complex Claims = The Biggest Opportunity.  Early identification of red flags, faster access to evidence-based care, and better education for claims professionals prevent complexity → chronicity → runaway costs.5. Presumptions Are Expanding. Presumptions continue to shift the burden of proof to employers, especially for PTSD, firefighter cancer, and potential infectious disease claims, with high cost and policy implications. 6. Employee Well-being & “Quiet Cracking.” Quiet cracking, marked by disengagement, burnout, and feeling stuck, is emerging as employees remain overloaded and unsupported. Organizations that treat wellbeing as a core risk management strategy see stronger engagement, faster recovery, and lower overall costs.⚡ Rapid-Fire WatchlistDEI & Diversity – Organizations that lean into diversity perform better and attract stronger talent.Education & Mentorship – The next generation of WC professionals needs mentorship from experienced leaders. Explore mentor/mentee programs. Artificial Intelligence (AI) – It's time to embrace adaptation. Education is key to using AI wisely. Challenge yourself to adapt as AI is changing rapidly and becoming more integrated in our daily lives. Self-Leadership as a Core Competency – Especially for claims professionals. Self-leadership improves empathy, self-regulation, and decision-making.California Premium Increases – California is an outlier worth watching as other states stabilize or decline.

Send us a textYvonne and Rafael take time to reflect on Season 5, their accomplishments, and the time they spent with guests. They also discuss new features of Deconstructing Comp, including the launch of the Work Comp Changemaker Awards, a new website, a monthly newsletter, a YouTube channel, and so much more! Grab your headphones, your favorite beverage, and let's go have a chat!¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk with Darrell Mathis, Director of Workers' Compensation for the City of Chicago, and explore his work to modernize and manage one of the nation's largest municipal programs. Darrell shares his 33-year journey from the private sector to public service, offering candid insights into program reform, transparency, and talking about “paying what we owe.” He discusses how Chicago has transformed litigation strategy, reduced claim backlogs, and improved fairness for injured employees, all while supporting first responders facing unimaginable risks. City of Chicago is self-insured and works with a TPA to administer claims. With over 33,000 employees and 3,600 open claims, Darrell's team is setting a new benchmark for municipal excellence in workers' compensation. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of leadership, accountability, service mindset, and compassion in public-sector risk management.Darrell also opens up about his own health journey and how dedicating himself to the City of Chicago and the work he loves became a key part of his recovery.Key TakeawaysHow municipal code changes, litigation reform, and payment integrity reshaped Chicago's comp program.Why “paying what we owe” builds trust and accelerates resolution.The real challenges of managing 3,600 open claims and a $700M reserve.Strategies to motivate and retain adjusters in a high-pressure environment.Chicago's commitment to care for catastrophically injured police and firefighters.Darrell's vision to make Chicago the global gold standard for workers' compensation programs. Darrell mentioned some folks who help him keep the lights on at the City of Chicago Workers' Compensation program: Donald “Taylor” Chittick – Asst. DirectorTiffany Williams – RTW Project ManagerKathleen Heenan – Workers' Compensation LiaisonTomeka Long – Workers' Compensation LiaisonAshley Chen – AdminDarrell mentions his devotion to faith and service. He is an ordained Deacon at the Progressive Baptist Church. His Pastor is Dr. Charlie E. Dates. As an officer of the Church, he is involved with many aspects of the ministry. Black Boy Lit is an initiative of Progressive Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church. Dr. Dates is the Pastor of both churches.  Additionally, he and his wife chair a capital campaign for the church, called DREAM. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode, co-hosts Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez talk with expert defense attorney and educator Jeff Adelson in a candid conversation about two often-overlooked forces in workers' compensation: ethics and empathy. Together, they explore how small shifts in behavior, perspective, and communication can create better outcomes for injured workers and claims professionals alike.From managing ethical gray zones to acknowledging the human side of every claim, Jeff brings decades of insight, humor, and heart to the conversation. This episode challenges us to rethink the role of compassion in claims management and reminds us that doing the right thing and doing good business are not mutually exclusive.

Send us a textIn this episode, Yvonne and Rafael catch up with Judge David Langham, Deputy Chief Judge of the State of Florida, and a prolific writer, blogger, educator, and speaker. If you're curious about the history of Florida's workers' compensation system, and you want to learn what "stare decisis" is, don't miss our conversation with Judge Langham. He's widely recognized as the leading legal authority on this topic. In addition to a concise and thorough history lesson on the Florida work comp system, we discuss a few other key points specific to Florida. To access books and resources Judge Langham mentioned during the episode, including his free downloadable book: "Floridiana and the Workers' Compensation Adjudicators," visit www.dwlangham.com.Visit his Blogger profile to check out Judge Langham's blogs (there are several). Note: stare decisis is a legal term. According to LexisNexis, it means "to stand by things decided and not disturb settled points." They further explain, "The doctrine of stare decisis, or binding precedent, is the principle by which judges are bound by previous judicial decisions, especially of superior courts. To 'stand by things decided', the basis for the doctrine of precedent, there is no room for further examination or interpretation of a point or principle of law; the court is bound to the reasoning in the prior decision, unless there is a unique exception or the matter is before a higher court."¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode, Yvonne and Rafael chat with friend and colleague Rosa Royo, Director, Workers' Compensation and Loss Prevention at Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This is Rosa's second time visiting us at Deconstructing Comp. This school system is the third largest school system in the country with 450 school sites, 335,000 students and over 40,000 employees (based on most current statistics). We start off the episode talking about what each of us are doing creatively that we have not done before, or haven't done in a while. Rosa talks about playing string instruments, Rafael talks about getting back into tennis, and Yvonne talks about doodling and art. Rosa talks about the need to pivot quickly and why it is important to regularly review your program for areas that are weak and need to be strengthened. She discusses how post-pandemic workers' compensation care  is strained due to not having adequate access to providers and providers aging out of the system. She spends much of her time reviewing her provider network and ensuring she is doing her best to fill the gaps where they are exist. Rosa also talks about the importance of communication, a common theme in our episodes. She personally signs over 4,000 get well cards per year that are sent out in packages to injured workers. It is a small gesture that Rosa says pays high dividends: 16% reduction in litigation when she started this practice. Dive into the full episode and hear what else Rosa has to say. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne and Rafael welcome Gina Jacobs, a defense attorney with Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel LLP, to share what it's like navigating workers' compensation from the defense side. Joining from Orlando, Gina brings a candid look at how defense counsel approaches claims, collaborates with employers and carriers, and works toward fair resolutions within Florida's workers' compensation system.Gina's journey into law is one of purpose and passion. After spending more than 10 years as a claims professional, working with Crawford & Company, Zenith Insurance, and Gallagher Bassett, she made the leap to law school to deepen her understanding of the industry she already loved. Today, that background shapes her work as a defense attorney, giving her rare empathy for claims adjusters and a deep appreciation for how every stakeholder impacts the outcome of claims.Throughout the conversation, Gina shares how she balances advocacy with understanding, why communication remains at the heart of every successful case, her commitment to partnerships, and how she's using her experience to mentor and educate the next generation of professionals in workers' compensation.This engaging episode offers a thoughtful and balanced look at what it means to defend claims while staying true to the people and purpose behind the process.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne and Rafael talk to Paolo Longo, a claimant attorney based in Florida, to explore the realities of representing injured workers, especially first responders. Paolo shares how his career path led him from the state attorney's office to becoming a dedicated advocate for employees navigating the workers' compensation system.He explains the unique legal protections and presumptions that apply to Florida's firefighters, police officers, and other first responders, particularly around heart disease, hypertension, and other conditions presumed to be job-related. Paolo also highlights the burden-shifting process that makes these cases unique, and why communication and education are at the heart of effective advocacy.A powerful part of the discussion centers on the fears and concerns first responders face after an injury. Paolo notes that the first question nearly every client asks is: “Am I going to lose my job?” Beyond that, they worry about whether they'll ever return to work, finish their careers, or continue providing for their families. These uncertainties, coupled with a lack of clear understanding of the claims process, make strong legal guidance and compassionate communication for injured workers essential.Another key legal point Paolo discusses is the “120-day rule.” While its meaning varies by state, in Florida, the focus of Paolo's practice, it sets the timeframe for an employer or insurance carrier to decide on a claim. Once an employer begins providing benefits, they have 120 days to either deny the claim or continue paying benefits. If they don't issue a denial within that period, the claim becomes compensable by law, unless the employer can later prove new “material facts” that weren't discoverable during the initial investigation.This rule is critical because it can determine the outcome of a case, whether benefits continue, or whether a carrier can still attempt to deny responsibility for an injury. Paolo explains how this plays out in practice and why it's such a pivotal part of representing injured workers in Florida.From candid reflections on the challenges of the system to insights on what truly makes a difference for injured workers, this conversation offers a rare look at the claimant's side of workers' compensation. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez welcome Scynthia Syfrett, Workers' Compensation Program Manager at SHARP Healthcare in San Diego. Scynthia offers her perspective on managing a large deductible program, with a $1 million per-claim deductible, and the lessons in risk that come with operating at this scale.Our conversation examines how large deductible programs shift a significant portion of the claims exposure back to the employer, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Scynthia explains why careful oversight, proactive claims management, trusted vendor partners, and tailored processes are essential to ensure every claim is handled with both financial accountability and employee care.She also highlights why healthcare systems, with thousands of employees, must maintain clear strategies for managing risk, controlling litigation, and supporting injured employees within such a high-stakes framework.You'll also learn that Scynthia is passionate about education, just like Yvonne and Rafael! Key terms and concepts mentioned in this episode to help guide your listening:Large Deductible Program – SHARP's program features a $1 million per-claim deductible, shifting a significant portion of the financial responsibility back to the employer.Risk Management – In workers' compensation, risk management means recognizing and addressing financial, legal, strategic, and safety risks that can affect both employees and the organization.Litigation Review – The process of evaluating claims before escalating to legal action; Scynthia discusses SHARP's unique approach.Return to Work (RTW) – Supporting employees in safely resuming their roles, often with modified duties.Safety – Preventive measures and tracking of safety incidents within an employer's environment.Employee Education – SHARP's investment in training employees to understand workers' compensation processes and responsibilities.Trusted Vendor Partners – External claims, legal, and medical partners who work closely with an employer to manage claims effectively.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textDisclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are Judge Robert Rassp's personal opinions and do not reflect the official position of the State of California, Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC), or the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB).In this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne and Rafael are joined by Judge Robert Rassp for a straightforward discussion about the fundamental benefits of workers' compensation and why they are important. Judge Rassp walks us through the foundation of the system, from medical treatment to temporary and permanent disability benefits, and explains how these core protections are designed to support injured employees while balancing employer responsibilities.The conversation also explores how utilization review, independent medical review, and evolving case law influence the delivery of these benefits. Judge Rassp emphasizes the importance of fairness, education, and due process in ensuring that both injured employees and employers understand the system and can navigate it effectively.According to Rassp: “Temporary disability keeps food on the table during recovery. Permanent disability recognizes when someone's life has been permanently changed by an injury.”Please join us for this informative episode with one of our industry's most experienced and esteemed educators. Judge Rassp is also an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University's Caruso School of Law, where he teaches workers' compensation law, and he's a founding member of the CC&R Band, a parody band that performs classic rock and roll hits at many Southern California industry events.  Key Terms from the Episode:Medical Treatment – Care provided to cure or relieve the effects of a work-related injury or illness.Temporary Disability (TD) – Wage replacement benefits provided to an injured employee while recovering and unable to work.Permanent Disability (PD) – Benefits awarded when an injured employee has lasting impairment that affects their ability to earn wages.Causation – the link establishing that an injury or illness arose out of and in the course of employment, or more simply put, that the injured employee's work contributed to their injury or illness. This is also referred to as AOE/COE.WCAB (Workers' Compensation Appeals Board) – The judicial body that adjudicates disputes in California's workers' compensation system.Utilization Review (UR) – The process by which an employer or insurer evaluates a medical treatment request for appropriateness and necessity.Independent Medical Review (IMR) – The appeal process when a treatment request is denied through UR, conducted by an independent physician reviewer.Case Law – Published court or WCAB decisions that interpret statutes and guide future workers' compensation cases.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk to Dr. Marcos Iglesias, Chief Medical Officer at AF Group. Dr. Iglesias shares his journey from occupational medicine to the executive level and the lessons he's learned about helping injured workers recover faster and more fully. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Iglesias offers candid, practical advice for younger clinicians entering the workers' compensation space, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond symptoms to understand why a patient isn't improving.He explains how focusing on what an injured worker truly needs to feel supported can reduce frustration for clinicians, improve communication with claims and employer teams, and create better outcomes for all parties. From breaking down barriers to recovery to fostering stronger provider relationships, Dr. Iglesias underscores that when clinicians approach care with curiosity, empathy, and collaboration, everybody wins.Listeners will leave with actionable insights into how new medical professionals can navigate the complexities of workers' comp, make a meaningful impact on injured workers' lives, and help shape a system that works better for everyone.Key Terms and Definitions in this episode: Biopsychosocial Model of Care – A holistic approach to healthcare that addresses the biological, psychological, and social factors influencing an injured worker's recovery, promoting comprehensive and individualized treatment plans.Chief Medical Officer (CMO) – Senior medical leader responsible for developing and overseeing clinical strategies, ensuring medical best practices, and aligning care delivery with business goals.Claims Operations – The department or function responsible for managing claims from the first report of injury through closure, including investigation, evaluation, and settlement.Early Intervention – Identifying and addressing potential issues in a claim as soon as possible to prevent delays in recovery and reduce claim duration and costs.Employer Engagement – Active participation of the employer in the claims process, including communication with the injured worker, accommodations for return-to-work, and collaboration with claims teams.Evidence-Based Care – Medical treatment decisions based on the best available research, clinical expertise, and patient-specific factors to ensure optimal outcomes.Occupational Medicine – A branch of medicine focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of work-related injuries and illnesses.Provider Network – A group of medical professionals and facilities contracted to deliver care to injured workers under negotiated terms.Psychosocial Barriers – Non-medical factors—such as mental health concerns, fear, social isolation, workplace relationships, or financial stress—that can delay or prevent recovery.And here are a few references to things Dr. Iglesias mentioned during our discussion:On Ambient Scribe TechnologyOpen Evidence (chatGPT for medical professionals)¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode, we talk to Kirsten Kaiser Kus. She is a defense attorney and an equity owner at Downey & Lenkov LLC, leading their Indiana practice. She brings deep experience from both the plaintiff and defense sides of workers' compensation. She shares how her involvement with CLM and litigation education shaped her expertise and helped grow her professional network.We explore the many stakeholders in the workers' compensation system. Kirsten discusses distinctions between plaintiff-side and defense-side stakeholders and how they interact—or clash—within systems that vary state by state.On the plaintiff (applicant) side, she highlights challenges such as unrealistic expectations, lack of understanding of legal metrics, and client control issues. Then she systematically breaks down the far more complex defense side, detailing the roles of carriers, TPAs, hearing members, medical providers, mediators, ombudsmen, vendors, brokers, excess carriers, self-insured clients, and even how politics play out in our system.Throughout our conversation, Kirsten emphasizes one central principle: communication is critical. Where, oh where have we heard that before? Whether navigating expectations, coordinating stakeholders, or managing the risk of expensive cases, clear, proactive, and coordinated communication is what drives effective outcomes.Stakeholders in the Workers' Comp Ecosystem:Injured Worker The employee who was hurt at work and seeking benefits.Applicant's Attorney / Claimant's Attorney / Plaintiff's Attorney / Petitioner's Counsel The lawyer representing the injured worker (term varies by state).Defense Attorney The attorney representing the employer or insurance carrier.Employer The company where the injured worker is employed; also referred to as "the insured."Insurance Carrier The insurance company providing workers' comp coverage to the employer.Third-Party Administrator (TPA) An outside company that manages the administration of claims on behalf of self-insured employers or insurance carriers.Broker An insurance advisor who helps employers obtain and manage coverage.Self-Insured Employer A company that pays claims out-of-pocket, often with excess insurance coverage.Excess Carrier The insurer that covers costs beyond a self-insured employer's retention layer.Hearing Member / Judge / Commissioner The official who hears and rules on workers' compensation disputes.Ombudsman A state-provided guide who assists unrepresented workers.Mediator A neutral party who helps both parties involved in a litigated case try to settle the case before trial.Medical Provider Doctors and other clinicians who treat the injured worker.Nurse Case Manager (NCM) A licensed nurse who helps coordinate medical care and communicate with all stakeholders. NCMs are often called in to help coordinate more complex claims. Vendors Service providers such as interpreters, transportation, Medicare compliance experts, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, and home modification specialists.Subrogation Counsel / Third-Party Recovery Attorneys or departments pursuing reimbursement when a third party (not the employer) caused the injury.Family Members Often involved in influencing the injured worker's decisions and expectations, an important perspective to keep in mind througho¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode, we sit down with industry powerhouse Mollie Kallen to explore the often misunderstood role of case managers* in workers' compensation. With over 30 years of experience leading one of the largest case management companies in the country, Mollie brings unmatched insight into how effective communication, not just clinical expertise, drives better outcomes for injured employees, employers, and claims professionals alike.We talk about what makes a great case manager, how communication breakdowns can derail even the best-intentioned care plans, and why advocacy and collaboration are more important than ever. Mollie also shares how her personal health journey reshaped her professional mission and led her to a new chapter of coaching cancer patients and their families with the same compassion and clarity that marked her work in workers' comp.Whether you're a case manager, claims adjuster, or anyone working in the comp system, this conversation will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the human connection at the heart of recovery.

Send us a textIn this engaging and insightful episode, co-hosts Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez sit down with legendary industry leader Bill Zachry for a deep-dive into the realities shaping today's California workers' compensation system, and other state systems around the country. We explore rising WC costs, why it makes sense to manage and treat psychosocial barriers to recovery early on in the claim — or risk higher costs down the road, and other tips and observances he's made along the way. Bill shares powerful stories from his career, including how he entered the system as an injured worker, his role as a "baby claims adjuster," how he has helped shape public policy, the role of organized fraud in the Los Angeles basin and more. He also discusses his coined term, “sisterhood of the traveling body parts,” to describe recycled injury narratives.Our discussion also touches on prevention, prescription patterns, several issues related to public policy, and the cultural and systemic gaps that keep workers' comp stuck in a reactive posture.This episode is equal parts candid, educational, and entertaining — and is a must-listen for any workers' compensation professional, regardless of tenure. Resources: Rising Medical Solutions Annual Benchmarking Study¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textMelissa Steger returns to walk us through the building blocks of the unique Texas UT System workers' compensation program. While the program is self-insured, they use a third-party administrator (TPA) in a hybrid system where the TPA staff sit on-site with the UT System staff who oversee the program. Covering 160,000 employees and over 250,000 students, UT System uses a variable rating system and has set up a culture where the individual institutions within the system compete against one another to achieve superior outcomes. The results? Truly innovative and remarkable. During Melissa's tenure with the WC program, and through a system of healthy competition, they initially saw program costs of eighty cents per $100 dollars of payroll. When Melissa retired last year, it had fallen to 8.5 cents per $100 dollars of payroll. How did this happen? Melissa talks about some of the nuances of their program including an annual retreat, where the hybrid staff come together to improve communications, get focused on core program goals and learn how they could continuously improve their results. Join us as we talk to Melissa and learn how UT System achieved such amazing results.Melissa also talks about flunking out of retirement. She is now VP of Business Development at WorkCompCollege.com ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode, Yvonne Guibert catches up with Nelson Gonzalez, Executive Director - Florida, Rehab Without Walls® NeuroSolutions, and they talk about Return to Work. In the workers' compensation system, a return-to-work (RTW) policy or program helps injured or ill employees safely and efficiently return to work. The goal or purpose is to minimize downtime, reduce costs, and maintain employee skills and productivity. Join the conversation to hear Nelson's perspective on why RTW programs are so essential, why some RTW programs fall short, what a good RTW program should include, and more. Companies and resources mentioned during this episode include: Rehab Without Walls® - https://www.rehabwithoutwalls.com/ReEmployability - https://www.reemployability.com/Bag of Happies - https://bagofhappies.com/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode, Yvonne and Rafael chat with Joseph Sousa, Workers' Compensation Program Manager for the City of San Diego. In our conversation, we learn from the perspective of a self-insured, self-administered workers' compensation program administrator, and what is important to that stakeholder perspective. One thing that stands out is the numerous benefits of operating a self-insured, self-administered program for both the employer and employees. The employer gains total control over various aspects, especially compared to purchasing an insurance policy from an external insurer. Since all employees work for the same entity, there is a strong sense of pride and compassion when it comes to supporting colleagues.The City of San Diego is regarded as a gold standard in workers' compensation programs. Some key elements of San Diego's program include:- An established culture of wellness and safety- Early intervention- Peer support and compassion for fellow employees- Effective communication- Self-efficacy, where injured employees take ownership of their recovery- Quality partnerships with medical providersJoin us as we delve deeper into Joseph's insights and learn more about the City of San Diego's workers' compensation program.More about City of San Diego: https://www.sandiego.gov/Council of Self-Insured Public Agencies (COSIPA): https://cosipa.org/Public Agency Risk Management Association (PARMA): https://parma.com/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textIn this episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk to Amy Cooper, Vice President Sales, Carrier Practice at Gallagher Bassett, and founder of Rise®, an amazing insurance community dedicated to empowering early-career professionals, attracting new talent, fostering networking opportunities, and providing access to invaluable resources, as described on the Rise® website. We are so excited to have Amy as our guest. We've been watching the tremendous growth of the Rise® community and the annual Rise® Leadership Summit that happens every June. So listen as we chat with Amy about the annual event, speed mentoring, fun pop-up events, and more! To learn more about the Rise® Annual Leadership Summit, please visit them at https://riseprofessionals.com/Use code "COMP100" to save $100 on registration for this year's event. 2025 Rise® Leadership Summit June 16-18 Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and SpaFt. Lauderdale, Florida¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textRecently, Yvonne and Rafael attended the 2025 Florida Bar and WCCP Workers' Compensation Forum, April 9-11, in Orlando, Florida. Unfortunately, there was no wi-fi available to do live streaming, which is what we planned to do, but we did talk to several folks and conducted short interviews to capture their excitement and thoughts about the conference. Conference interviews include: Judge David Langham, Florida Deputy Chief Judge of Compensation ClaimsStacy Hossman, Executive Director of WCCPOneill Martinez, FL MediatorYvonne and Rafael take time to catch upHolly Akers, Claimant Attorney - Jacksonville, FLYa'Sheaka Williams, Defense Attorney - Tampa, FLAdam Levy, Defense Attorney - Tampa, FLWe hope you enjoy this "bonus" episode of on-the-spot interviews at one of our top Florida conferences. The conference takes place again in 2026 at the same location at the Omni® ChampionsGate Resort in Orlando, FL, and you can check here for information about that and other events by WCCP: https://www.wccp.org/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textAfter much anticipation since we started this podcast, Stuart Colburn joins us for a special episode focused on Texas! Stuart, a shareholder at Downs & Stanford, P.C., has over 25 years of experience in workers' compensation. He shares his journey into our industry and expertly navigates the evolution of the Texas Workers' Compensation system since the 1980s. Throughout the conversation, he highlights the unique aspects that make Texas' approach distinctly different from those of other states.Stuart is board certified in Workers' Compensation Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and was the founder and first Chair of the State Bar of Texas Workers' Compensation Section. He co-authors the Texas Workers' Compensation Handbook published by LexisNexis and, as a certified lobbyist and frequent Division of Workers' Compensation conference representative, brings valuable policy perspective to the conversation.(Correction: Stuart mentions 2011 as the year Wikipedia and iTunes emerged; however, the correct year is 2001.)NOTE: Stuart shares a slide deck during this episode, which you can see in the video version on our YouTube channel. Resources mentioned in this episode:Texas Workers' Compensation Handbook 2025 EditionTexas Department of Insurance - Workers' Compensation Texas Subsequent Injury FundAmerican Medical Association (AMA) GuidesOfficial Disability Guidelines ODG by MCG National Comp ConferenceStuart Colburn bio¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textWe like to have fun with our episode titles when we can, hence "Alphabet Soup." Still, despite the fun name, this is an informative episode, particularly for those newer to the workers' compensation industry. Our guest is Jennifer Wolf, president and CEO of MWCIA in Minneapolis, MN. Jennifer expertly navigates through many of the common terms and acronyms we use. This is certainly not meant to be an exhaustive list of terms, so we have included several links for a more complete list for the nerdy folks like us: California Department of Industrial Relations GlossaryTennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Glossary of AcronymsFlorida Senate 440 Statutes Workers' Compensation DefinitionsPie Insurance Workers' Comp 101 GlossaryTexas Department of Insurance Workers' Comp Insurance GlossaryWe hope you enjoy it. If we missed a term or acronym you think should have been included, let us know! We may need to do a "Part 2" on terms and vocabulary! ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textJoe Paduda joins us to explain the basic framework of our workers' compensation system. In this episode, we discuss why our system is so complicated and some of the key features of several states. While Yvonne tries to keep the conversation focused on basics, Ralph and Joe wander on a few tangents, such as discussing the potential of a federalized workers' compensation system. Joe explains why that is not likely to happen and they explore Medicare and Medicaid components.Whether you are new to workers' comp or are a seasoned industry professional, this is a fun conversation that reviews some basic elements of our system and we introduce a few core concepts and terms such as frequency, severity, medical, indemnity, and administrative expense. Joe tells us what he likes about workers' compensation and it is a key element of why we have such good people in the system and why they work hard to make it better every day. You'll have to find us on YouTube and watch the video of this episode to see the cameo appearance of Joe's dog Oakley!Check out Joe's blog on Substack here: https://joepaduda.substack.com/You can find more information Joe has shared over the years at his original website Health Strategy Associates:https://healthstrategyassoc.com/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textJoin us as we kick off Season 5 with Alex Swedlow, President of CWCI and the "History of Workers' Compensation." Alex Swedlow is the President of the California Workers' Compensation Institute (CWCI). Alex is a previous guest on our podcast and we are so happy to welcome him back with his version of a brief "History of Workers' Compensation." As you will see, he is also a Workers' Compensation "nerd", just like Yvonne and Rafael, and he loves to talk about the history of our system which can be traced back over 4,000 years! Whether you are "tenured" in Workers' Compensation and insurance like the three of us are, or are new to the industry, we encourage you to listen for a quick summary of our endlessly fascinating system and its roots. Check out our new YouTube channel - @DeconstructingComp where we will drop our episodes in video format. For more information about CWCI, please visit https://www.cwci.org/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a textHere we go with Season 5! We can't believe we are kicking off the fifth season of Deconstructing Comp! Co-hosts Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez are back and ready to welcome a new season of conversations with their guests. This year, we are returning to our original idea of breaking down the workers' compensation system into bite-sized digestible nuggets of information. We call it the "Cliff's Notes" approach to understanding workers' compensation. Please join us on our new journey. We think it will be fun for professionals new to the industry and those of us who have been here for a while. Yvonne is committed to keeping episodes to 30-35 minutes! ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Yvonne and Rafael take some time to relive and review 2024 Season 4 and chat about a few changes they will make for Season 5. Thank you for listening! ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

We are so happy to introduce you to Elise White, President of Change Forward Industries, based in the Atlanta Metro area in Georgia. Join us for an interesting conversation with Elise. You'll learn about her educational background, including that she studied criminal justice and how that led to a career in insurance and claims management.Elise has 16+ years of experience managing claims for some of the biggest insurance companies, including Liberty Mutual, Travelers, and Zurich, and has developed quite an affinity for supporting at-risk youth, as well as at-risk industries. She recently launched Change Forward Industries. Listen to this episode to learn more about Elise, her career and what she's been up to lately, including some very important work with Diversity and Talent Alliance (DATA).Here are some resources related to our conversation: Change Forward Industries - https://changeforwardindustries.com/Article about RIMS/WCI Research Presentation: www.workerscompensation.com_Want better worker safety-tryEmpathyDiversity and Talent Alliance (DATA) , Non-profit https://www.diversityandtalent.org/Support the DATA Fundraiser - Workers' Compensation Empathy Relay Digital Game for $10: https://www.diversityandtalent.org/store/p/empathy-relay-digital-game-workers-comp-editionNote from Elise: "I did not state these stats with 100% accuracy, but here is the insurance data on the aging workforce and talent shortage within insurance:" Stats mentioned: 4% millennials interested in working in insurance careers, PEW Research50% of insurance professionals are looking to retire by 2028, National Association of Mutual Insurance We love Elise and we think you will too! Grab your headphones and let's go talk to Elise!¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

In this episode, we get to know Evelyn Eury, Director of Program Claims, Occupational Risk/P&C Lead at Crum & Forster—a leading carrier in property and casualty, accident and health, and specialty insurance solutions. Evelyn shares her journey from studying journalism to her current role, where she navigates the intersections of workers' compensation, property & casualty, and other insurance lines.Our conversation covers a variety of topics, including:Saluting Veterans: Recorded on Veteran's Day, we honor Evelyn's husband, Seth, an active-duty US Coast Guard member, and all who have served our country.Cameo by Saint: Evelyn's Weimaraner, Saint, makes a guest appearance.Mentoring the Next Generation: Evelyn discusses mentoring young insurance professionals and inspiring them to pursue careers in risk and insurance.Mom Life: Balancing her career while raising three daughters, along with trends in beauty products and Sephora adventures.This extended episode is a wonderfully organic conversation filled with insights and heartwarming moments. Grab your headphones, your favorite beverage, and join us for an inspiring chat with Evelyn Eury!For listeners who are newer to the industry, here are links to the conferences we mentioned during the episode: CLM (Claims and Litigation Management):https://www.theclm.org/alleventsWorkers' Compensation Institute (WCI) Conference:https://www.wci360.com/National Comp Conference:https://wcconference.com/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Let's get to know Melissa Marks, Senior Leave Supervisor at Pepsico. What does a "Leave Supervisor" do for an employer? Shout out to our friend Natalie Torres for introducing us to Melissa. In this episode, Melissa shares her personal health journey and how it has shaped her empathy for others, particularly as she navigates her role working with employees who experience work injuries. Here is a link to Melissa's book, titled "Fight Faithfully"¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

We are so happy to bring you this episode featuring Dr. Crystal Cobos, Director of the Brain Injury and Concussion Clinic at Institutes of Health and Anne McDonnell, Advocacy and Affiliate Specialist for the Brain Injury Association ofAmerica and former Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia.In this episode, we discuss the recent development announced in late July by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: CMS now officially recognizes Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) as a chronic condition. According to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) this is a victory for the brain injury community. CMS has added TBI to its list of chronic conditions for chronic special needs plans (C-SNPs) through its Medicare Advantage program, effective for the January 2025 plan year. What does this mean for brain-injured employees and the workers' compensation community? Bottom line? We see this as a good thing. Tune in to hear what more these two experts have to say about it. For more information about Institutes of Health, Brain Injury Services, visit:https://institutesofhealth.org/For more information about the Brain Injury Association of America, visit: https://www.biausa.org/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

In this episode, you will hear from Jennifer Wolf, President of the Minnesota Workers' Compensation Insurance Association (MWCIA). She talks about what she studied in college, how she found her way into our wonderful industry, and how she loves our workers' compensation ecosystem. We also learn what a rating does and how it contributes to the overall workers' comp system. According to the MWCIA website: "The primary function of MWCIA as a Data Service Organization (DSO) is to produce an annual Ratemaking Report, which is the basis for all workers' compensation rates in Minnesota. Insurers then apply their unique expenses and loss experience to these base rates to create their own independent rates."In addition to her duties at MWCIA, Jennifer is also President of Kids' Chance of America. As you will learn, Jennifer is one of our brightest gems in the WC industry. Smart, funny, and a lover of our industry, she is the real deal.Grab your earphones, and let's go chat with Jennifer! MWCIA - https://www.mwcia.org/Kids Chance of America - https://www.kidschance.org/National Academy of Social Insurance - https://www.nasi.org/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Come along with us as we catch up with two of the brightest leading women in our industry: Marijo Storment and Jenn Ryon. We start, as we usually do at the beginning of our episodes, discovering what Marijo and Jenn studied in school. Then, we chat about what it was like to launch ForzaCare. Next, we take a deep dive to focus on an organization that is near and dear to our hearts: Alliance of Women in Workers' Compensation (AWWC). Yvonne served as a Florida ambassador to the organization for over four years in Tampa, FL. She still loves to support and advocate for the organization. Rafael has been a long-time supporter of AWWC. We talk about AWWC, the organization's mission, vision and what you can expect if you attend one of their events. We encourage everyone to attend a national event, or a local event if you have an opportunity. Jenn serves as Vice President and Marijo is the Secretary, both serving in prominent positions on the board for AWWC.So grab your headphones and get ready for a jam-packed fun exploration of one of the most influential organizations in our industry! They encourage everyone to leave their logos at the door, and come to their events to learn, network, and grow. For more information about Alliance of Women in Workers' Compensation: https://allianceofwomen.org/To learn more about ForzaCare: https://thinkforza.com/NOTE: since the recording of this episode, Jenn Ryon has transitioned to Prime Health Services. You can learn more about the company here: https://www.primehealthservices.com/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

We have a special treat for you just in time for a long weekend! Dr. Tyrone Spears, Chief of the Workers' Compensation Division for the City of Los Angeles, is one of the best and brightest in the business. Yvonne and Rafael recently caught up with him for a lively, thought-provoking episode! If you know Tyrone, you know he is a servant leader who continually does good things for others. Find out what he studied in school, what career path he considered, and how he found himself in the workers' compensation industry, an industry he has come to love. Conversations with Tyrone are always fascinating. He is the real deal. So, grab your headphones and settle in for a cozy conversation with Tyrone about leadership, mentorship, diversity, equity, inclusion, doing good for others, and being a good human. We also talked about politics, our 2024 bonus topic, since we talked to him the Monday after Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the presidential race. Some things we mentioned during the episode include: Dr. Tyrone Spears - books on Amazon.com-The Compassionate Leader-Land The JobHazel's Hands - https://www.hazelshands.com/Tyrone started this charity in his grandmother's name. Hazel's Hands provides resources, services, and leadership to meet the emerging needs of at-risk youth and their families in our communities.  ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Join Yvonne and Rafael as they chat with one of their hometown "sheroes" Brenda Cogdell, Director - Risk and Safety Division, Hillsborough County. Brenda shares her enthusiasm for her role at Hillsborough County and for the risk and insurance industry where she has dedicated her career to shaping a culture of caring for the employees she serves. Together we explore her journey from graduating from Tampa's University of South Florida (Go Bulls!) to entering the risk management industry, serving as the risk manager at the City of Manassas, Virginia, then coming back to Hillsborough County where she began. We talk about the culture Brenda is helping to build at Hillsborough County called "Workplace Possibilities!"Learn how Brenda's father's career as a longshoreman shaped her and how it sticks with her still today. She believes team members who get hurt or ill at work ought to be reminded they are still part of a team, or a work family. Brenda Cogdell is the real deal! She happily shares her expertise and encourages young professionals to take advantage of all resources and mentors along their career journey. Some of the organizations we discuss in the episode include: Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) https://www.rims.org/Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA)https://primacentral.org/Thank you for all you do Brenda! We LOVE you! ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Les Shute is the Chief Innovation Officer at Infinity Nurse Case Management. Join us in this episode as we learn more about Les, including what Les studied in school and what he aspired to do in his career. After graduating college as a Marketing Major and with a Minor in Computer Science, Les was recruited into the insurance industry and started as a workers' compensation adjuster! In this episode, we learn that Les grew up with a strong influence in computer programming. He has immersed himself in learning all about artificial intelligence andLes chats with us about OOM, "orders of magnitude," Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT), neuro-symbolic AI, and other "mind-bending" scenarios and applications of artificial intelligence. We also discuss how AI may impact carbon-based life forms over the next 5-10 years. Get ready for a fascinating conversation about AI, a recurring topic we have discussed several times this year. As we always say, we love all our guests, but this episode is super fun and thought-provoking.  Learn more about Infinity Nurse Case Management here. Interested in learning more about how artificial intelligence has progressed since the 1940s? Check out this timeline courtesy of Veerloop.io.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Here is a bonus episode where your co-hosts Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez pause to reflect on Season 4 so far. Can you belief half the year is already gone? Neither can we. Join us for a quick recap of what we've done so far on our podcast. We talk about the guests we've had and those who are joining us soon. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp