Medical Benefits Roundtable Discussions in Knoxville, TN

On May 21-22, 2013, the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation hosted roundtable discussions at the Courtyard by Marriott Knoxville for physicians and home health care (HHC) providers. The purpose of the meetings was to discuss and provide information regarding medical benefits and HHC services provided under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

Doug Dawkins from the National Office Policy Branch and Saundra Wescott of the Jacksonville district office were the presenters. Mary Harris from the National Office of the Branch of Outreach and Technical Assistance organized the event. The Oak Ridge Resource Center (RC) was also on hand.

Attendees were encouraged to RSVP to the RC prior to the date of the meetings. Physicians were invited to attend the meetings in person as well as via teleconference. Attendees were from the Knoxville area, other areas of the state of Tennessee and from other parts of the country. HHC providers were invited to participate in the meeting in-person. The first session of the May 21st meeting for HHC providers began at 9:00 am, and consisted of twenty-two attendees. The second session, for physicians began at 2:00 pm and had seven physicians or designated representatives from various medical offices. The 9:00 am session of the May 22nd meeting consisted of twenty (20) HHC providers from different parts of the country and the local area. The 2:00 pm session had six (6) physicians or representatives from a physician’s office.

The meetings consisted of a prepared presentation as well as a question and answer period. Physicians and HHC providers freely engaged in discussions with the presenters and asked questions concerning the benefits provided under the EEOICPA. At the conclusion of each meeting, Doug and Saundra remained after the meeting to engage in further discussions with the attendees to ensure that all questions were answered. The attendees were also encouraged to take notes during the meetings and were given a copy of the PowerPoint presentation for future reference.

After each meeting there were numerous positive comments regarding the information provided and the knowledge of the presenters. Many of the attendees stopped by the RC table and thanked the DEEOIC for holding the event, for the information provided during the meeting and for coming to the Knoxville area.