President’s Column
by Terry Zenner LCSW (Laf)

     The LACSW board met on December 5, 2003, with ten members present.  Our Treasurer was absent, but sent a report of $17,868.34 in assets.  (Details elsewhere within newsletter).

     The Education Committee is focusing on the next workshop, that we sponsor, looking at June 4th or 11th.  The speaker still TBA.  That occasion will also double as the annual meeting of the entire LACSW membership, wherein any new board members or officers are elected.  This accommodates our new fiscal year of July 1 to July 1.

     The Legislative Committee report was read.  As a result of discussion, the board voted to pursue eliminating the clause in our Vendorship law requiring “consultation and collaboration” with a physician as a precondition to insurance reimbursement.  Blue Cross-Blue Shield is the only insurance company that ever enforced this “C&C” stipulation.  Now they don’t even require it for those social workers who join their panel.  It is thought that the physician community that was instrumental in inserting the clause 20+ years ago has long since lost interest in it.  While no one can predict the legislative process, we are hopeful that this could be successful. The support of all of us will nevertheless be necessary come spring. 

     The membership committee came prepared for each board member to contact former members with personal notes.  Due to time restrictions everyone left with a commitment to follow through with such notes to individuals we each chose during the meeting.  It is increasingly clear that memberships in all “1 1/2 million 501 3c organizations” is the means to the dollars necessary to sustain any organization’s goals.  We can’t afford the glossy mass mailings to pursue such.  That’s actually OK; the most effective membership appeal is face to face.  Since you are reading this you are a person who has seen fit to invest in your career by joining LACSW.  Please don’t leave it to your board of 20 to do what all members can do.  This is an excellent expenditure through which your workmates can advance their careers.  At least offer them the opportunity with the application form within this newsletter. (p7)

     Please note again that membership allows you access to the website at www.lacsw.org, where you can update your personal data.  If you’ve forgotten the login and password to the members only area, just email me at lacsw2@hotmail.com (I check it daily); OR call me at 337-989-9350.

     We had beginning discussions at the board meeting to establish a mentoring program.  Several other states have found it a means to (1) offer an appreciated, free, “guidance” service from an experienced professional to a rookie, while (2) engaging younger members toward involvement with professional organizations such as ours.  This role would provide non-clinical career feedback, and offer the mentored a relationship within which to discuss topics not quite fitting to share with a supervisor or employer.  An Ad Hoc Mentoring Committee was established.  If you would be interested in just being helpful that way (not supervising), please contact Judy Haspel at 504-891-5807 or Stanley Masinter at 225-927-0252.

     Toward the same end, we’re in pursuit of S.W. graduate school faculty members to sit on our board.  This would facilitate (1) our awareness of what’s being taught, (2) our being known as a resource among students, and (3) recruiting “the best and the brightest” into LACSW for future board involvement and leadership.

     The LACSW brochures are printed in limited numbers (500 to help the budget).  If you have a specific need for some just call George “Skip” Morlier at 504-392-6080.

     A significant vote was cast by the board in favor of LACSW disaffiliating with Clinical Social Work Guild #49 of OPEIU.  This is consistent with the Clinical Social Work Federation doing the same during their fall meeting in New Orleans.  Both votes leave it optional for individuals to pay dues and remain a Guild member for personal reasons, on the condition that each guild member is also a state society member.

     Also at the fall CSWF meeting, its board voted to amend its by-laws to stipulate a three year term for state representatives making up its board.  These representatives have historically been the states’ presidents, but now may be that, or another representative chosen by the state board.  Implementing the staggering of the 3 year terms will initially involve some states respectively beginning with a 1,2, or 3 year term.  The LACSW board voted to request that Louisiana’s representative begin with a one year term ending July 1, 2005.  This will coincide with my term in office, and postpone the decision as to how to accommodate this new three year representative to CSWF.  It will likely involve some adjustments to our present by-laws.

A Friend In Need:  (In this case is a friend indeed)

     Money, like sex, tends to be a guarded subject.  There could be those among us who could afford a tax-deductible contribution to an organization supporting the lawsuit against the national Dept. of Health and Human Services.  The suit is asking a judge to reverse several HIPAA clauses that removed and individual’s right to consent or decline release of medical or mental health information.  They are in dire need of raising $15,000 ASAP (not very much for a national undertaking).  If able, please send any contribution to The Foundation of the National Coalition, P.O. Box 438, Commack, NY, 11725

Magellan’s Phony Provider Panels

“I Have A Dream—#5 (The Demise of Managed Care)”—Terry Zenner, LCSW (Laf)

     Before managed care’s arrival on the scene, my brother-in-law once commented how peculiar it is that the biggest corporations seem to nit-pick on penny items.  At first glance it would seem that they could afford an ounce of laxity.  Small businesses, like yours and mine, might be able to afford this less.  But from the corporate mentality, those pennies multiplied by millions of customers add up to the executives’ annual bonus of six or more figures.  Thus it is that MCO’s, having the epitome of a corporate mind, attempt to extract our last pint of blood.

     Having totally extracted myself from MCO’s about four years ago, I recently tested their waters, just to confirm my beliefs.  I agreed to do an EAP evaluation as an out of network provider for “ABC” EAP/MCO (wouldn’t want to get sued now would I, even though it isn’t slander if it’s true).  They faxed to me a signed exception to their rules stating in black and white that I would get paid my normal intake fee of “$95.00 for 90801.”   It LOOKED good.  I saw the client and submitted the claim with proof of my liability insurance, license, etc., etc., as required.  This week, 2 1/2 months later, I received a check from them for $75.00.  I consider myself  extremely lucky in being able to EVENTUALLY speak by phone directly to the person who signed the fax assuring me of $95.00.  She said, in effect, that I missed the fine print which stipulated a co-pay of $20.00.  That was a first for me, a co-pay on an EAP evaluation!  Being an Enneagram “9” (laid back, conflict avoidant), I threw in a couple of sarcastic words and commented that it was OK, since I’d never do business with them again.  I billed the client.  He may pay.  I’d be hard-put to months later push him on it as an EAP client.  The episode just confirmed by beliefs; dealing with these companies always involves more paperwork, faxes, and phone calls for less pay.  I prefer my mental health.  So if you prefer yours and you’d like to join the growing number of people “washing [these companies] right out of your hair”, here again are five more ways to do so:

21.     Specialize, specialize, specialize.  Novel possibilities: working with families of mentally retarded, autistic, or developmentally disabled.

22.     Consultant to state regulatory boards other than social work.

23.     Contract with State Vocational Rehab.

24.     Servicing the mental health needs of those seeking Workman’s Compensation.

“M.C.O. COUNTRY RAP SONG”  (M.C.O.—MANAGED CARE ORG.) by Leesa Sitter and Stanley Masinter (of the LACSW Board)

We’ve got a story to tell you—About our ride with M.C.O.

The jury’s still out — Are they ally or are they foe?

They say they’re here to help us — They’ll manage all our care

But the way things are lookin’ — The cupboard’s mighty bare!

They say they’ll authorize a session — Maybe even a few

They’ll even timely reimburse — At least a buck or two

They say if you need to get in touch — Just call and listen to our menu and we may or may not get back— but it’s not meant to offend you

They send the 50 page contract — Just complete and sign the dotted line

Well, they need it by tomorrow — Yea the prints a little fine

As you read a little closer — You wonder if there’s reason to pause

You’ve just signed away your life — In the hold harmless clause

Well, we’re all lookin a little tired — But it’s helped us to see

We’re learnin what we’re made of — And for that their ain’t no fee

We’re learning the Value of our service— and the perseverance to endure

THEY PROFIT, WE BLEED

Treasurer’s Report
 Charlene Spears, LCSW (Laf)

THE PORCUPINE by Ogden Nash  (One of Terry’s favorites)

Any hound a porcupine nudges

Can’t be blamed for harboring grudges.

I know one hound that laughed all winter

Our Corporate Sponsor, Synergy, Offers Regional Services

Synergy Healthcare Group offers Inpatinet Psychiatric Services in Baton Rouge and Lutcher, as well as Community Mental Health Centers in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Slidell.

Transitional Living services are offered in Baton Rouge and new Orleans, and Home Healthcare Services are located in Baton Rouge, Hammond, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Kenner.

Referral Lines:

Transitional Living:

Synergy Home Health:

Contact Information:

LACSW Officers:

President–Terry Zenner 337-989-9350

President Elect—Judith Haspel 504-891-5807

Secretary—Leesa Sitter 318-226-8753

Treasurer—Charlene Spears 337-237-9150

Regional Board—

Baton Rouge—Anita Evans, Deborah Fernandez, Judy Holland, Maureen Powell, Justin Schleis, Larry Gooch

New Orleans– Anne Heard, Mimi Jalenak, Donna Lewis, Marisa Miller, George Morlier, Laura Myers

Slidell— Maria Klette-Ketchum

Covington— Carol Miles

Shreveport— Beth Porter,  Peggy Salley