In anticipation of adoption of the department’s recommendation to reduce the number of mediators on or before November 1, 2002, I have instructed the bureau staff to limit the type of claims being assigned to mediation. Only the following claims will continue to be assigned to mediation:

• Closed-Period Claims
• Health Care Services Rules Hearings – 104Bs
• Medical-Only Claims
• No Record Of Insurance Coverage
• Penalty-Only Applications
• Unrepresented Parties
• Vocational Rehabilitation/ First Level Hearings

Application forms that have checked the mediation box “Yes,” but do not meet the criteria above will be assigned for a pretrial before a magistrate.

Claims adjourned in mediation with new dates scheduled past November 1, 2002, should be transferred to the assigned magistrate until mediation docket schedules are determined by the bureau.

If you have any questions, please contact Craig Petersen at 517-322-1296 or cpeter@michigan.gov.