Author Archives

For more than a decade, Carlos Luna has been a trusted adviser to shareholders and stakeholders in claims, utilization review, managed care, insurance, and government agencies. His consultation focuses on effectively incorporating Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) content and tools into the Workers’ Compensation clinical and claims workflows to achieve improved healthcare, return-to-work, and financial outcomes.

A recognized thought-leader on national workers’ compensation issues, Carlos’ blogs have been published by industry-leading publications such as WorkCompCentral, WorkCompWire, Insurance Business Magazine, Louisiana Comp Blog, and more. He was named a “New Leader in Workers’ Compensation” by WorkCompWire in 2017 and was featured as LegalNetInc.com’s “Thursday Thought Leader” in 2018.

A regular speaker on regional and national workers’ compensation conference circuits, he has become a guiding voice within key regulatory focused associations such as the International Association for Industrial Accident Boards (IAIABC) and the Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators (SAWCA).

Engaging Regulatory and State Workers’ Compensation representatives has been commonplace throughout Carlos’ career. He has played an integral role in assisting regulatory agencies throughout the country to disseminate training and compliance programs to maximize user adoption of EBM content and tools and reduce overall friction on the system in each jurisdiction.

Carlos is passionate about establishing a balanced workers’ compensation system that benefits all of its stakeholders.

• Complacency or Complexity: California UROs Crawl to Accreditation

  By Carlos Luna on July 2, 2018 • ( 0 )

  Another important July 1st deadline has come and gone for the California workers’ compensation community. As of mid-June, nearly half of California’s Utilization Review Organizations had yet to complete the accreditation process required by newly modified Labor Code section 4610(g)(4). Is the crawl to compliance due to a complacent system culture or a costly and complex accreditation process?

• The Crux of the Opioid Epidemic

  By Carlos Luna on June 13, 2018 • ( 0 )

  

  The crux of the opioid crisis is in unchecked, inappropriate prescribing habits. Absent of comprehensive medically responsible prescribing standards, today’s opioid issue has the potential to evolve into another prescription drug crisis. Are narrow legislative bills enough to keep injured workers safe and encourage a paradigm shift among prescribers?

• Collaboration Drives Improved Health Outcomes

  By Carlos Luna on May 23, 2018 • ( 0 )

  

  Health care information technology may be making the world smaller in many ways, but wide divides remain in the care and claims continuum. Bridging the gaps in the workers’ compensation space requires a conscientious focus on collaboration, human to human. Collaboration effectively creates an interactive and adaptable system capable of delivering improved patient health outcomes.

• It’s About Time the Feds Focus on States’ Success in War on Opioids

  By Carlos Luna on May 14, 2018 • ( 1 )

  

  The U.S. House of Representatives has held numerous information-gathering meetings. The divide that exists between state and federal government has never been more clear as the feds turn their focus on the success that state workers’ compensation systems are having in the war on opioid abuse. But, are all aspects of the crisis being considered?

• Beyond Pennsylvania Politics

  By Carlos Luna on May 7, 2018 • ( 0 )

  

  Pennsylvania, who is hosting one of the fiercest battles in the war on opioids, will not adopt a nationally recognized evidence-based medicine drug formulary. Is this the outcome of Pennsylvania politics, the right move to preserve the doctor to patient relationship?

• Farewell Westminster

  By Carlos Luna on May 2, 2018 • ( 0 )

  

  For the past ten and half years, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a group of very talented and passionate people. This group of amazing human beings has helped me to grow professionally and personally. For this I say, thank you! Be sure and stick with me and I continue to advocate for a balanced workers’ compensation system that ultimately benefits employers and employees alike.

• WorkComp Needs Quality Measures for Clinical Practice Guidelines

  By Carlos Luna on April 26, 2018 • ( 0 )

  

  The importance of the National Guideline Clearinghouse™ (NGC) cannot be validated by someone continuing the work. Its importance was established in 2008 by U.S. Congress. Without appropriate oversight in the development of this content, anything might be called “quality” imperiling the well-being of injured workers. Here is my take on why “WorkComp Needs Quality Measures for Clinical Practice Guidelines”.

• The Worker Advocate

  By Carlos Luna on April 24, 2018 • ( 0 )

  

  Sitting in a crowded legislative committee and listening to parties debate a bill inspired me to ask myself a very important question:  When all is said and done and my actions are measured, am I truly a worker advocate? The… Read More ›

• Are more Americans suicidal because of opioids?

  By Carlos Luna on March 14, 2018 • ( 0 )

  Is there a correlation between America’s increased #Suicide rates and the #OpioidEpidemic? The negative effects of inappropriately prescribed #Opioids on public health are multiple. However, the data shows that there is a promising #PatientCentric solution that is highly effective in preventing the inappropriate first exposure to opioids for #Patients.

• The Opioid Epidemic Deserves More than a Closed Formulary

  By Carlos Luna on February 28, 2018 • ( 1 )

  The national #WorkersCompensation community is at risk of losing the plot of the #OpioidEpidemic. The assault against opioid abuse may be relying too much on over-simplified medicine. It is essential to expand the conversation to emphasize the importance of the overall care of a patient and improve the tracking of health outcomes. The discussion can no longer be just about drugs and potential savings.