More Related Content Similar to Return to Work (20) Return to Work 2. 2
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Why Return to Work?
• Return to work is a critical component of any risk management program
and requires skillful claims management and coordination
• Indemnity benefits account for 42% of the total claim cost
• Time away from work drives the ultimate claim cost with higher indemnity
payments and more medical treatment
3. 3
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Benefits of early return to work programs
• Injured workers who go back to work in a transitional duty job will return
to full duty 30 days faster than those who do not
• Employers save an average of 30% lost time with a return to work
program. Less lost time means less medical expenses, less staffing issues
due to off work employees and less loss of productivity
• Estimates indicate employers save between $3 and $10 for every $1 spent
on a RTW program
• Lowers the experience modification factor used to calculate workers’
compensation premiums
4. 4
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Benefits to the Injured Worker
• Allows the injured worker to continue to be productive and to
contribute
• Improves and maintains communications between the
company, the injured worker and the treating physician which
leads to a more positive conclusion of the claim
• Allows the employer to monitor the employee’s progress on a daily
basis
• Promotes better morale and employee retention
• Assists in compliance with the ADA act
7. 7
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Key Plays
• Focus on Abilities
• Act with a Sense of Urgency
• Push for Progression
• Have your claims examiner reference Disability Guidelines
• Communicate with the Medical Provider
• Communicate important changes in treatment or condition to the
team
• Track Work Status
• Consider partnering with non-profit organizations
8. 8
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Focus on Abilities
Always focus on the injured employee’s “Abilities” rather than
“Restrictions”
Most injured employees are capable of some form of light duty work
immediately following the work injury
Consider the physical requirements of normal activities of daily living that
an employee continues after the work injury
Present a job description to the Doctor
Ask the injured employee to identify tasks from their normal position that
they feel they are still capable of performing
9. 9
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Act with a Sense of Urgency
of employees off
work for four
weeks will never
return to work
10% of employees off
work for twelve
weeks will never
return to work
50% of employees off
work for fifty-two
weeks will never
return work
98%
Strive to obtain the initial release to light duty
at the earliest possible time
12. 12
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Communicate with the Medical Provider
Functional capacity
What can the worker do today?
Functional impairments or limitations
What can’t the worker do now that they normally could?
Medically-based restrictions
What is the treatment plan and treatment schedule?
What should the worker not do to ensure no additional
specific medical harm?