MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. (Sedgwick CMS) announces that the Administrative Director of the California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has approved twenty filings of medical provider networks (MPNs) based on the Sedgwick CMS panel of California medical providers. Action is pending on additional filings. The MPNs will provide medical services to workers' compensation claimants employed by Sedgwick CMS clients.

A successful MPN filing is critical for employers seeking better control of workers' compensation costs through full implementation of SB899, California's workers' compensation reform legislation. Networks must meet requirements for mix of physician specialties, convenience of access to care, provider compliance with DWC medical treatment guidelines, and availability of choices of providers for treatment and for second and third opinions.

The Sedgwick CMS California MPN program offers client employers two principal advantages:

* Physicians and other medical service providers are selected for the panel based not only on credentials but also on demonstrated superior results in the treatment of occupational injury patients. Providers are screened based on medical outcomes, economic impacts such as successful returns to work and average paid per claim, and other results-oriented criteria. * Sedgwick CMS makes participation more convenient for clients by offering training webinars; an application package and other support in preparing filings for the DWC; extranet access to instructions, forms and approved employee communications; and a fulltime MPN coordinator for assistance with questions about implementation and ongoing network operation.

"Sedgwick CMS has truly partnered with Frito-Lay to assure the delivery of high quality medical care to our California employees while enhancing our control of total workers' compensation costs," said Frito-Lay North America Vice President of Risk Management Keith B. Reynolds. "Their system of consultation, network development, and training support has greatly expedited the process of application, approval and implementation for our MPN. We anticipate significantly improved medical outcomes for our employees and future cost benefits to our company."

"The goal of the Sedgwick CMS California MPN is to achieve superior economic outcomes for California employers by making available to injured workers a network of providers with demonstrated capacity to achieve clinically superior, cost-effective results in occupational medicine," said Sedgwick CMS President and Chief Executive Officer David A. North. "We will assure the ongoing performance of our MPN through regular provider scorecards, patient satisfaction surveys, employer reviews and support for providers."

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. is the leader in innovative claims and productivity management solutions. Sedgwick CMS provides cost- effective claims administration, managed care, program management and related services to major employers through the expertise of 4,000 colleagues in more than eighty offices in the U.S. and Canada. Specialty areas include workers' compensation; general, automobile and professional liability; and short and long-term disability. Sedgwick CMS designs and implements customized programs based on proven practices that meet client needs. For more visit http://www.sedgwickcms.com/ .

Contact: Frank J. Huffman, director of corporate communications, (901) 415-7548, fhuffman@sedgwickcms.com.

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.

CONTACT: Frank J. Huffman, director of corporate communications of
Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc., +1-901-415-7548, or
fhuffman@sedgwickcms.com

Web site: http://www.sedgwickcms.com/