Movers & Shakers: 5 Questions for New Tenn. Administrator Troy Haley

Nashville, TN (WorkersCompensation.com) -- When long-time Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation Administrator -- and recent National Association of Workers' Compensation Judiciary Hall of Fame Inductee -- Abbie Hudgens announced her retirement, just about everyone in the workers' compensation world knew that whoever stepped into the role would have big shoes to fill. So, it's probably not suprising that the Bureau sought a familiar face and tapped Troy Haley for the opening. 

Haley, who has been with the Bureau since 2007 and most recently served as its Legal Services Director, caught up with WorkersCompensation.com to provide the lowdown on how his new job is going and what the future might hold. Here's what Haley had to say.

1. What experiences do you feel will best serve you in the new role? 

I mediated workers’ comp cases for several years when I first started working for the Bureau. After that, I spent several years doing the Bureau’s legislative work. Those two experiences were so interesting and helpful to me. Listening to different arguments in an emotional atmosphere and trying to work out an agreement are so important.

2. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in the position so far and how have you approached it? 

There was a vacant judicial position in our Memphis office to be filled recently. Interviewing candidates, listening to the recommendations of the interview committee and others in the government and legal communities has been a very interesting and challenging experience. I have learned a lot from it.

3. What is the most important current issue in Tennessee workers' compensation? 

Probably utilization review. We feel that some insurance carriers and utilization review organizations are abusing the system by performing unnecessary and inappropriate utilization review of medical treatment recommended by the treating physician. Our medical director convened a working group that met for over a year and proposed rule changes, and those are in the legislative process now. The proposed changes include peer-to-peer requirements, a definition of “same or similar specialty” and an annual reporting requirement so the Bureau can track UR activity, denials, appeals, and the physicians who are performing utilization review.

4. What changes do you see coming for the Bureau in the short- and long-term futures? 

Three things come to mind: Expansion of our ombudsman attorney program, increasing the statutory caps of $20,000 for temporary disability and medical benefits for injured workers whose employer broke the law and failed to carry workers’ comp insurance coverage, and reaching more applicants for our vocational recovery “Next Step” program, which provides money for education if an injured worker is unable to make a meaningful return to work after a work injury. 

5. What is the best part of your job? 

I have an amazing group of smart and hardworking coworkers. It’s so great to work with them every day!

Forms, email updates, legal, regulatory, and compliance information from Tennessee and 52 other jurisdictions across the U.S. can be found on WorkCompResearch.com.

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