Opt-Out Strategies - A New Approach

Dallas, TX, resident William “Bill” Minick is an attorney with experience in alternative workers’ compensation programs. Currently, Bill Minick is the Chairman of PartnerSource, where he advocates for the implementation of workers’ compensation options. 

An article on WorkersCompensation.com recently mentioned Bill Minick as a disruptor of the traditional workers’ compensation industry. Published on August 10, 2017, the article discusses the increased chance of success for opt-out systems. This shift is due in part to the promise of a more efficient and streamlined process, support from various public policy groups and a growing body of evidence that workers' comp options are achieving superior medical outcomes and paying better wage replacement to injured workers.

In response to legal challenges in Oklahoma, advocates for opt-out alternatives point to unique aspects of both the Oklahoma Supreme Court and its decisions, and point out that the "Texas Option" model does not rely on the legal protections utilized in traditional, exclusive remedy provisions. Exclusive remedy is a component of workers’ compensation systems that prohibits injured workers from suing an employer for work-related injuries. Under this provision, the workers’ compensation benefit is the only remedy the injured employee can receive. Opt-out advocates support an alternative system with no exclusive remedy, in which employers agree to accept full liability for injured employees.

For the full article, visit www.workerscompensation.com/news_read.php?id=27014.

Core Benchmark Studies Examines Performance Changes in State Systems

Dallas, TX-based PartnerSource president William “Bill” Minick delivers presentations on alternatives to workers’ compensation for a variety of organizations and major industry groups. Bill Minick’s 2016 presentations included an address at the annual conference of the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), which administers research programs such as the Core Benchmark Studies.

WCRI’s central research initiative, the Core Benchmarking program focuses on a series of studies that examine changes in state insurance systems in order improve performance and avoid crises. Pinpointing incremental changes within a system enables researchers to identify trends and recognize signs of possible improvement or deterioration. This allows stakeholders, policymakers, and public officials to make necessary changes and keep performance goals on track. In addition, the studies set the stage for meaningful comparisons of systems from state to state. Studies that fall into the program include prescription inventories, hospital payment indexes, medical price indexes, and outcomes for injured workers.

PartnerSource also conducts benchmarking studies for six major industry groups that consider insurance and benefit levels, return to work, cost and other performance metrics for Texas injury benefit plans.

The Arms of Hope Family Outreach Program

Since 1994, William (Bill) Minick has led consulting firm, PartnerSource, in Dallas, TX. Mr. Minick works with employers, lawyers, claims payers and insurance brokers to create innovative solutions to problems in the workers' compensation system. When he finds time away from his professional obligations, Bill Minick enjoys working with charitable nonprofits, including Arms of Hope. 

A faith-based organization that works to support children and single mothers in need, Arms of Hope operates homes in the San Antonio and Dallas areas of Texas. Originally founded as orphanages, the shelters now serve a wide variety of children and mothers. 

In addition to its residential childcare program and a program for motivated single mothers, Arms of Hope operates a family outreach program that helps families experiencing challenges by connecting them to appropriate resources. This can include referrals to other nonprofits, Christian counselors, life skills training programs, and financial help centers.

The PartnerSource Employers' Conference

William “Bill” Minick is a workers’ compensation attorney that holds degrees from Abilene Christian, Pepperdine University, and the Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. An active member of the Dallas, TX community, Bill Minick currently leads as the president of PartnerSource.

PartnerSource stands out as a leading firm in the alternative workers’ compensation field. The firm represents large organizations to design, build and support their injury benefit plans, and has been active in industry organizations like the Texas Alliance of Nonsubscribers, the Oklahoma Injury Benefit Coalition, and the Association for Responsible Alternatives to Workers' Compensation.

In addition to ongoing consulting work, PartnerSource hosts the PartnerSource Employers’ Conference, one of the largest risk management events in the southwestern United States. Designed for professionals that are interested in learning about alternatives to workers’ compensation, the event features educational content, networking opportunities, relevant legislative and medical news, and industry experts. The next conference will be held on October 19-20, 2017.

Degree Requirements for the Dedman LLM Tax Program

Attorney William “Bill” Minick serves as the president of PartnerSource in Dallas, TX. Knowledgeable on alternative workers’ compensation systems, Bill Minick applies his skill to help organizations across the country implement workers’ compensation options. Attorney Minick is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law Tax LLM program. 

An institution of higher education founded by the United Methodist Church, SMU has over 11,000 enrolled students. SMU is located in Dallas and offers a wide range of degree programs, including law degrees through the university’s Dedman School of Law. In addition to juris doctor and joint degrees, Dedman administers graduate degrees in areas such as taxation. 

Students must pass specific degree requirements to obtain a master of laws in taxation through Dedman. Requirements include a minimum of two terms of residency for full-time students and three terms for part-time students, as well as the completion of 24 credit hours in coursework, research, and seminars. Finally, students must maintain a C average for all courses to obtain credit for them.