Those of you who have been reading this blog for any length of time know that I’m not shy about trumpeting accomplishments – mine, those of people I work with, or those of the broader industry when it gets something right. Today is one of those days.
This week, January 12th and 13th, something historic is happening in Tampa, Florida. The Medicare Secondary Payer Accreditation (MSPA) certification program, the brainchild of Heather Sanderson and her team at Sanderson Firm, PLLC, is holding its very first in-person training event. And I’m thrilled to say that I’ll be there to participate as an observer.
Now, before you accuse me of burying the lead, let me explain why this matters beyond the obvious.
WorkCompCollege.com has served as the technical partner for MSPCollege since its inception. We built the platform, host the virtual campus, and manage the behind-the-scenes operations that make online learning possible. The actual content – the expertise, the curriculum, the regulatory knowledge that makes the MSPA program what it is – that all comes from Sanderson’s MSP experts and their industry collaborators. We just make sure the digital trains run on time.
And run they have. Both the MSPA and the Medicare Set-Aside Certified Planner (MSACP) programs have been remarkably successful as online certification offerings. The MSPA, in particular, is rapidly becoming the defining standards and certification program for the Medicare Secondary Payer industry. When you need to demonstrate expertise in MSP compliance, this is increasingly the credential that matters.
But here’s the thing about online learning: as effective as it can be – and it absolutely can be effective – there’s something about gathering in a room with fellow professionals that a Zoom call or recorded lesson simply cannot replicate. The side conversations during breaks. The spontaneous questions that spark broader discussions. The relationships forged over coffee that lead to collaborations years later. These things matter.
I’ve been in this industry long enough to know that some of the most valuable insights I’ve gained came not from formal presentations but from informal conversations in hotel lobbies and conference hallways. Online learning delivers content efficiently. In-person learning delivers community.
That’s why this week in Tampa represents more than just a training event. It represents a new chapter – both for MSPCollege and, frankly, for WorkCompCollege.com. This is the first in-person training event involving our platform, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about that milestone. And the way it has been designed, in my opinion, is quite innovative. It has been set up as an effective hybrid program, offering a host of skilled in-person trainers, with the final testing and certification being conducted online after the event concludes. This means that all of the time people are together will be effectively utilized in training and communication activities. It is a pioneering method that optimizes the learning opportunities.
The response to this inaugural live event has been outstanding. Apparently, I’m not the only one who believes that sometimes you need to step away from your computer screen and actually be in the same room with other people who share your professional interests.
For those unfamiliar with MSPCollege and what they offer, I’d encourage you to visit https://mspcollege.com to learn more. Medicare Secondary Payer compliance is one of those areas where the consequences of getting it wrong can be severe, and where having properly trained professionals isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential. The programs offered through MSPCollege provide the rigorous training and certification that the industry needs.
As for me, I’m packing my bag for Tampa with a mix of professional pride and personal anticipation. Watching something you helped build take a significant next step is always gratifying. And being there for the inaugural live event? That’s the kind of milestone that makes all the late nights debugging code and troubleshooting server issues worthwhile.
Well, most of them anyway.
If you’re attending this weekend, I look forward to seeing you there. If you’re not, consider this a heads-up that MSPCollege has moved from purely virtual to offering live training options as well. The online programs remain available and excellent. But for those who want that in-person experience, the door is now open.
New chapters are exciting things. In the book of learning this is a good one. And we don’t even need to turn to the end to see how it turns out.