As a Sedgwick TPA customer our goal is to always provide you with comprehensive and immediate service for all of your workers’ compensation claim needs.    Part of that service includes a dedicated claims examiner assigned to your account who can offer a detailed plan of action to assist you in navigating the Ohio workers’ compensation system.    

When your company experiences a workers’ compensation claim, your assigned claims examiner will typically receive notice of the claim within a few days of the filing.  Their immediate goal is to complete a claim review of all documentation available so that they can notify you of any concerns with the information on file.  Some of the caution signs they monitor include:

• Prior medical history to the same body part
• A delay in seeking treatment
• Vague or inconclusive injury descriptions
• Medical treatment discrepancies
• The injury is reported soon after a known employer discipline 
• Hobbies or extracurricular activities that could cause the reported injury
• Medical conditions that co-exist alongside the primary diagnosis (comorbidities)

Once the validity of a claim is verified your claims examiner will develop a detailed plan of action to monitor and help move the claim to final resolution either through full and final settlement of the claim or a full duty return to work.

Early communication with your claims examiner can provide clarity in the investigation process, reduce administration delays and ensure forward motion of the claim, which is a benefit to both you and your injured worker.    

While it is an unfortunate fact that workers do get injured on the job and the majority of those claims are credible, a strong relationship with your assigned claims examiner who can review what options are available to you as the employer to mitigate time and expense in the claim is one of the best tools you have in your toolbox. Their expert knowledge of the Ohio Workers’ Compensation system can help you make informed decisions that will lead to successful claim outcomes.  

If you have any questions, contact our Sedgwick program manager, David Deyo, at david.deyo@sedgwick.com.

The story is from our 100% members at Ohio Gastroenterology.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common in women globally. It accounts for nearly 10% of annual global cancer incidence. CRC remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Screening is crucial for early detection and especially for prevention. The purpose is to detect and remove precancerous lesions, thereby reducing both the incidence and mortality of CRC. Early detection significantly improves survival rates, with a 5-year survival rate of 91% for localized disease compared to 14% for metastatic disease.

Due to this the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend that screening should begin at age 45 for individuals at average risk for colorectal cancer.

Increased-risk individuals, such as those with a family history of colorectal cancer or advanced adenomas, should begin screening earlier, typically at age 40 or 10 years before the earliest diagnosis in the family.

People should be aware of the symptoms of colon cancer as there has been an increase in colon cancer incidence in the younger population, even those below 45.

Recognizing these symptoms that may present in younger individuals is crucial for early detection and timely intervention. The most common symptoms in younger patients with early-onset CRC include rectal bleeding (hematochezia), abdominal or pelvic pain and bloating, and changes in bowel habits. Additional symptoms include iron deficiency anemia, diarrhea, unexplained weight loss.

The presence of these symptoms, especially when multiple symptoms are present, should prompt further diagnostic evaluation, including colonoscopy, to rule out CRC. Early recognition and intervention are essential as younger patients often present with more advanced stages of the disease.

Despite the availability of effective screening methods, participation rates remain suboptimal, often below 40% in many settings. Barriers to screening include lack of awareness, logistical challenges, and concerns about the screening process. Addressing these barriers through education can significantly improve adherence to screening recommendations.

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for prevention of colon cancer as it can identify and remove polyps to prevent them from progressing towards cancer.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends that clinicians performing colonoscopies should have adequate training and experience to ensure the procedure's safety and effectiveness.

The U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, which includes the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, emphasizes that the quality of the colonoscopy is crucial. This includes the endoscopist's adenoma detection rate (ADR), which is a key quality indicator associated with reduced colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. Having a gastroenterologist that has been extensively trained to do colonoscopies increases the effectiveness of prevention of CRC.

Early detection through regular screening can save lives. The gold standard for prevention of colon cancer is a colonoscopy.