Deconstructing Comp

Anbar & Ali: Stop Chasing The Diagnosis!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, what was intended to be a conversation about when substance use is considered industrial… turned into a much deeper exploration of how, and why, care in workers’ compensation often breaks down.Yvonne and Rafael talk to Dr. Tomer Anbar and Dr. Ramsey Ali and enjoy a powerful, layered conversation that challenges how we think about care in workers’ compensation.Dr. Anbar takes us back to the origins of the workers' compensation system: why it was created, how it was structured, and where the “architecture of care” has started to break down over time. He reframes workers’ compensation not just as a set of rules and processes, but as a living ecosystem that requires alignment between medical care, human behavior, and system design.A central theme emerges throughout the conversation: we need to stop chasing a diagnosis! Dr. Anbar says, “At some point, we have to stop chasing the diagnosis and start treating the human in front of us.” Anbar suggests that instead of focusing solely on labeling conditions, we should shift toward a better understanding of function, behavior, and the full biopsychosocial picture driving recovery, or the lack of it.Dr. Ali builds on this foundation with a deep dive into PTSD and substance use disorders (SUD) in the workers’ compensation setting; two conditions that are often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, or treated in isolation. Dr. Anbar explains how this contributes to disability and unnecessary epidemics. Together, they explore how these conditions intersect, how delayed recovery takes hold, and why fragmented care models often miss what matters most.Dr. Anbar also introduces the concept of psychoneuroimmunology, highlighting the connection between the mind, nervous system, and immune response, and reinforcing the idea that recovery is complex, dynamic, and deeply human.This episode invites listeners to think differently about causation, complexity, and the human experience behind every claim, and challenges the industry to move beyond diagnosis-driven thinking toward a more integrated, evidence-based, and human-centered approach.Dr. Anbar references a recent article in PRIMA Public Risk Magazine titled, How Risk and Claims Leadership Are Reversing the PTSD and Disability Crisis Among First Responders.Yvonne mentions a recent Institutes of Health webinar titled When Substance Use is Industrial. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Liva Rivera: Social Media and Community

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez talk with Liva Rivera, Chief Communications Officer at Hamilton, Miller, and Birthisel Law Firm, for a lively conversation about the power of social media in building relationships, expanding professional networks, and supporting mentorship within the workers’ compensation community.Liva shares how platforms like LinkedIn have evolved from simple professional profiles into powerful tools for connection. Rather than approaching social media with a rigid strategy, she explains how authenticity, curiosity, and consistency have helped her build meaningful relationships across the industry. What began as casual online engagement eventually led to real-world collaborations, friendships, and opportunities, demonstrating that the workers’ compensation community is often much smaller and more connected than people realize.The conversation also explores the human side of social media. Liva discusses how showing up online can sometimes invite criticism or skepticism, but she encourages professionals not to let that stop them from participating. Social media, when used thoughtfully, can amplify voices, foster mentorship, and help newer professionals find their place in the industry. For those who feel unsure about posting or engaging, Liva offers a refreshing perspective: you don’t need a perfectly curated plan, just start joining the conversation.Yvonne, Rafael, and Liva also dive into the importance of mentorship and community, highlighting how social platforms can bridge generational gaps and help emerging leaders connect with experienced professionals. Whether it’s sharing insights, celebrating successes, or simply supporting each other’s work, these digital spaces can strengthen the professional fabric of our industry.If you’ve ever wondered how to use social media in a way that feels genuine, productive, and relationship-driven, this episode offers practical insights and plenty of inspiration. We talked about Rise Professionals on the episode. Be sure to check out their website and their 2026 Annual Leadership Summit under events. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Greg Hamlin: Leading with Empathy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, we’re joined by Greg Hamlin, Senior VP and Chief Claims Officer at Berkley Industrial Comp (a Berkley Company), for a grounded conversation about the role empathy plays in workers’ compensation and why it is so essential in our industry, particularly when communicating with injured workers. Greg shares observations from his experience about how empathy influences communication, decision-making, and trust across claims, leadership, and organizational teams. We explore how understanding a person's perspective, whether it’s an injured employee, a claims professional, or a business colleague, can shape how issues are identified, discussed, and resolved.We also chat about how Greg has been able to encourage and develop empathy at the claims desk within his organization. No big surprise, it starts at the top, and Greg talks about what it means to empower his claims professionals. Throughout the episode, we reflect on how empathetic approaches can reduce friction, support clearer communication, and create conditions for better outcomes, without tying empathy to any single role, title, or function. Listeners are invited to consider how empathy already shows up in their work, and where small shifts in perspective or structure might make a difference.Greg is also a fellow podcast host. You can catch his podcast "Adjusted" on your favorite podcast platform. 📘 Term IntroducedMonoline Insurance – Insurance carriers that specialize in a single line of coverage, such as workers’ compensation, allowing for deeper expertise and focused claims handling.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Tammy Boyd: For The Kids!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez welcome Tammy Boyd, newly appointed President of Kids' Chance of Florida, for a meaningful conversation centered on service, leadership, and the life-changing impact of educational scholarships for children affected by workplace injury or fatality. Tammy shares how her career in workers’ compensation shaped her understanding of the human ripple effects of injury, and why Kids’ Chance became a mission she felt called to lead.The discussion highlights the heart of Kids’ Chance of Florida’s work: providing hope, stability, and educational opportunity for children whose families have experienced devastating loss because of a work-related injury, or in some cases, a death. Tammy reflects on the organization’s impact, the stories behind the scholarships, and the collective effort required to sustain and grow the program. She also explains how the Florida chapter fits into the broader Kids' Chance of America network, which supports students nationwide through locally driven chapters united by a shared mission.Throughout the episode, Tammy emphasizes that Kids’ Chance is more than a charity; it is a long-term investment in people and communities. She offers a call to action for the workers’ compensation community to get involved, reminding listeners that behind every claim is a family whose future can be profoundly changed through education. This episode is a powerful reminder that when an industry comes together in service, its impact reaches far beyond the system itself.Tammy shared that the Florida chapter started in 2015, and to date, has awarded over 100 scholarships totaling over $450K in support of students impacted by workplace injury. At the national level, Kids Chance of America has helped more than 11,000 students with over $42 million in scholarships through its network of 50 chapters, one in every state in the US. Upcoming Kids' Chance of FL events:Flagship event: WCI Golf Tournament (August 23, 2026)Breaking news! New for 2026: 2 golf sessions will be available5K Fun Run in South Florida (coming soon!)For more information and to find a chapter in your state, please visit https://www.kidschance.org/¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

Season 6 Intro: 2026 Key Issues

Send us Fan Mail1. Mental Health Goes Operational No longer fringe in workers’ comp. Our real challenge now is operationalizing access to timely, evidence-based mental health care so it supports recovery instead of becoming a barrier.2. End of Healthcare Subsidies = Cost Shifting RiskWith federal funding changes, i.e. loss of funding for healthcare subsidies and SAMHSA, watch for cost shifting into workers’ comp.3. Civil Monetary Penalties. This is a brand-new layer in the Medicare Secondary Payer landscape. CMS is expected to release CMP documentation in March. 4. Complex Claims = Our Biggest Opportunity. Early identification of red flags, faster access to evidence-based care, and better education for claims professionals prevent complexity → chronicity → runaway costs.5. Presumptions Are Expanding. Presumptions continue to shift the burden of proof to employers, especially for PTSD, firefighter cancer, and potential infectious disease claims.6. Employee Well-being & “Quiet Cracking.” Quiet cracking, marked by disengagement, burnout, and feeling stuck, emerges as employees remain overloaded and unsupported. Organizations that treat wellbeing as a core risk management strategy see stronger engagement, faster recovery, and lower overall costs.7. In-Person Events: Where Professional Growth Accelerates 🤝 Connection, learning, and candid conversations happen best face-to-face. Attending even two industry events a year sharpens perspective and strengthens relationships in the workers' comp ecosystem. Yvonne’s Top Picks:Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) – March | Boston, MANational Council of Self Insured  (NCSI) – June | Rancho Mirage, CAWorkers’ Compensation Institute (WCI) – August | Orlando, FLELEVATE Conference – September | San Diego, CANational Comp Conference – September | Las Vegas, NVBonus: Your state or regional workers’ comp conference!Rafael’s Picks (+Yvonne's list):Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) – Annual Conference (March), WC Event (May), Claims College (Fall)Workers’ Compensation Claims Professionals (WCCP) + Florida Bar – April | Orlando, FLNational Medicare Secondary Payer Network – October | Bethesda, MD⚡ Rapid-Fire Watchlist - a few other areas/issues to watch this year: DEI & Diversity – Organizations that embrace diversity perform better and attract stronger talent.Education & Mentorship – Explore mentor/mentee programs. Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Embrace adaptation. Education is key to using AI wisely. Challenge yourself to adapt as AI is changing rapidly and becoming more integrated in our daily lives. Self-Leadership – A "core competency" for WC professionals: empathy, self-regulation, and decision-making.California Premium Increases – An outlier worth watching. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp