During the General Session, Tara Swaney will be speak about Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE). Attendees will learn key components of FCE's and their use in return-to-work decisions, job placement, rehab planning, and disability determination. The session will also cover how evaluators assess patient effort, consistency and maximal effort.
Dr. Daniel Zimmerman, Jan Fisher, and Brent Jepson will discuss Independent Medical Evaluations and what constitutes competent medical evidence to deviate from the AMA Guides, 6th Edition under the 2024 amendments to the Kansas Workers Compensation Act. The panel will discuss the current definition of “competent medical evidence,” analyze key factors in rating deviation and physician credibility, and discuss requirements for the submission of complete medical reports.
On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Administrative Law Judges Ali Marchant, Brian Brown and Troy Larson will lead a panel discussion on courtroom policies, procedures and local rules—including procedural updates from the 2024 amendments to the Kansas Workers Compensation Act.
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, Kathleen Selzler Lippert will take attendees on a guided tour through Kansas’ FY2024 attorney disciplinary cases – real mistakes made by real lawyers. Attendees will learn practical tips to dodge common pitfalls while strengthening both their practice and their instincts.
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, Assistant Director Jose Castillo and Staff Attorney Clair Boggs will speak about computations and formulas involved in calculating Average Weekly Wage (AWW), Temporary Partial Disability (TPD), Temporary Total Disability (TTD), Total and Permanent Partial Disability (including scheduled and general body disabilities) and Death Benefits.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Dan Nelson will providing an overview of NCCI products and services. Topics will include Workers Compensation Coverage Verification (WCCV), legislative analysis, rate filings, loss costs, Medical Fee Schedules, experience ratings and Kansas residual market demographics.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Ryan Boswell will present Workers Compensation Basics. Attendees will learn the basics of workers compensation regulations and statutes, including history, compliance and coverage, exemptions, reporting requirements, elections and types of benefits.
An Advanced Workers Compensation presentation is available to attendees who possess a prior working knowledge of the Kansas Workers Compensation Act including an understanding of Temporary and Permanent Disability (TTD, TPD, PPD, PTD) and the basics of compliance, reporting and benefits. Content will include a more in-depth discussion of topics such as hearing process, contractor versus employee, verifying coverage, penalties and others.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Dr. Brandon Barnds will be speaking about Rotator Cuff Made Simple: Impingement Partial Thickness Tears to Massive Retracted. He will also discuss rotator cuff pathology on a spectrum from simple shoulder impingement, partial thickness tears, full thickness tears, and massive retracted tears. Other discussions include pros and cons of having surgery and discussing the spectrum of disease, along with associated treatment and recovery.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Susan Schulte will present
Workers Compensation Medical Data Insights for Kansas. She’ll explain how medical data informs legislation, fee schedule updates, and research. The session will feature a breakdown of medical services in Kansas, the region, and nationwide—covering physicians, hospitals, surgical centers, prescriptions, medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies.
