The Florida Legislature has concluded business for this session. Having amassed a small fortune in contributed drug money from the medical community and prescription drug repackagers, our representatives are now returning home to enjoy the fruits of their labor, content with the knowledge that they gave their drug selling benefactors much of what they paid…
A New Peter Principle: Control Claim Costs By Focusing on the End Game
The statement came from Peter Federko, CEO of the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board, in the middle of an otherwise typical committee meeting. Direct and to the point, it was a comment stunning both in it’s basic simplicity and incredible depth. The Medical Committee at the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) had…
Having a Hand in Insurance Fraud
Times are tough in Spain. Unemployment is running about 19%, and investigators in the country say a sickening trend is emerging from a population desperate for money. Even in the face of great desperation, the lengths that some Spaniards will go in attempting insurance fraud can be shocking. Those authorities tell us that most recently…
Welcome to Des Moines – Rocking Insurance Capital of the Midwest
I have never been to Des Moines, Iowa, before. I am here this week at the Downtown Marriott attending the IAIABC Forum 2013 Conference, and I have to say this is one rockin' place. On the hotel shuttle ride in from the airport Monday, we passed a Burger King near the hotel that had a…
RIMS Report Card – Conference – A, Los Angeles – B
What a difference a city makes. Last year, for the annual RIMS conference, the city of Philadelphia practically robbed attendees at gunpoint with hotel pricing that could be most politely described as gouging. There was no such issue this year for the conference concluded last week, as the city of Los Angeles proved far more…
Pot Promoters vs. Employers: The Battle Remains at the Federal Level
The trend is undeniable. 18 states have legalized marijuana for medical use, and 2, Washington and Colorado, now allow its use for recreational purposes. More states are considering some form of legislation that would relax or remove restrictions on the use of the drug. It would seem the proponents of legalizing pot are on a…
OMG! TXT Makes U Shallow Racist
I am not big on texting, but begrudgingly acknowledge its benefits. If I send or receive 40 text messages a week it is a booming period for me. As such, I am in the fully justifiable position of making fun of those of you have your noses permanently embedded in your phone or handheld device,…
RIMS Los Angeles – A Little Party Platter Chatter
The RIMS conference in LA continues. It just wouldn’t be complete, however, without one of my stellar reviews of some of the social activities surrounding the event. As you might be aware, my selection of which parties to review and discuss is complex, and is based on a criteria of the highest standards. Basically, you…
RIMS Risk Lesson #3: The QBE Thought Leader Theater is an Idea That Works
There is something new at RIMS this year. It is the Thought Leader Theater, a small presentation room set up in the middle of the exhibit hall floor that provides “mini sessions” on a variety of risk topics throughout the day. Think of it as a McSession, or better yet, the Twitter version of a…
RIMS Risk Lesson #2: Los Angeles, Curbs Should Be Yellow
Tonight was the opening reception to RIMS 2013 in Los Angeles, the annual risk management conference that draws thousands of professionals from around the world to discuss the current trends and challenges of risk in business today. The reception, called RIMS Vibe@LA Live, was held in the open air courtyard in the LA Live area,…