A Real Coal Miner's Daughter...Pat Ballock

You grew up in Pennsylvania and your family has a close relationship to mining. Tell us about it.

Pat Ballock on the 2003 Mine Tour

My dad was a coal miner in Pennsylvania, where I grew up, and he worked in a coal mine for a number of years. I was thinking about this last night after I found out about being interviewed for the newsletter. I was remembering what it was like to grow up and live with a coal mining family. I remember helping my dad study for his supervisor’s exam and remember having the coal delivered to the basement to heat our house. It was always my job to keep the linoleum clean from the coal dust. When I first came to work here, my dad got really emotional about it—he was glad to know that I was part of something he could relate to. When I went on the tour of mines in 2003 not long after starting here, I shared the pictures with my dad. He enjoyed seeing the coal mine photos and was glad to see that I could better understand what he did when he was a coal miner. Of course, he talked about how he had to go into the mines on his back when working low coal seams, so I didn’t get to experience that on the tour, but just being in an underground coal mine gave me a better understanding of his and my claimant's work environment.

Growing up with my dad really instilled a strong work ethic in me—I was truly raised as a coal miner’s daughter. Working hard for a honest day's pay was what he lived by. And that’s what he taught me. He had a very strong work ethic and he instilled it in my sister and me.

I remember what it was like when there were accidents in the mine and the whole community would pull together. Even as young as I was, I remember worrying about my dad when he would go to work—he always said never go to bed angry because you never know if it is the last time you’ll see someone.

It’s great that you’re able to keep the family history of working with mining alive. You started here in 2003, right? What's your current job title?
Yes. I started in August 2003 as a Case Manager, but I’m really more of a Nurse Coordinator.

Tell us about a typical day? What happens when you walk into the office every morning?
Well, since starting here, I really believe I have developed good relationships with many of the claimants. In most of the files, the indemnity is settled and their medicals remain open. I also have several black lung claims. When I first came here, it took a while to review the files and get comfortable with the different regulations in each state I cover. I have been able to develop solid working relationships with many of the doctors, nurses, claimants and our Managed Care associates. I review bills for appropriateness and the relationship to the injury. I ensure patients are receiving appropriate medications and that their treatment is directed and related only to what they were awarded or agreed to in their settlement.
On a day-to-day basis, I do lots of problem solving. I arrange for office visit referrals, diagnostics, physician reviews, independent medical evaluations and very often, testing to ensure claimants are adhering to their physician's treatment plan. In my daily responsibiliites case management and utilization review go hand in hand.

What's the strangest claim you've been asked about?
There haven't been any really strange issues except for the one patient who recently denied accessing the emergency room despite the fact his signature and demographic information for that DOS matches our file. He claims he is often impersonated and as it happens, there is more than one person in the area with the same name. Tune in later for the outcome...

What are the typical claims you review like?
Injury to the lower back, neck and knees are primarily what I see. Many of the files I manage have not fully recovered from the effects of their injuries or surgeries.

Where did you go to school?
I am a Grad of Purdue U. in 1983.

Where did you work before joining us?
I worked for HealthSouth for about 12 years.

What’s one of the things that you’ve learned from the job that’s helped you at home?
One of the unforeseen benefits of my everyday experience in working for American Mining is that I have been able to assist my husband as he tries to grow his new business- particularly as it relates to employer responsibilities when work injuries occur and the actions that need to be taken to ensure a quick return to work.

So, you've got a new grandchild. Are you having fun with that?
I have five grandchildren—the newest one, Julian, was born March 18th. Ages range from 6 to a few months old. My life would be complete if only they lived a little closer with my son in IN and daughter in TX. I am originally from PA and lived in Indiana until 1986 and moved to Charlotte, finally finding our way to Birmingham so it is no surprise we are separated due to our jobs. The last time we were all together was Christmas, but I do manage to see them every few months even if it is only for a day or so.