Six Important Steps to Take When Multiple Medical Providers Disagree on Return to Work Capabilities

Anytime there are multiple physicians involved, there’s potential for costly delays, says Gordon Butler, leading authority in return to work strategies. In this situation work status communication is frequently volleyed indefinitely between parties in a claim with no resolution. Taking a proactive approach to complex cases where ORTHO/PAIN MTG/PSYC providers cannot concurrently reach agreement on a point of recovery or MMI is worth the effort! 6 steps towards obtaining a current work release when multiple doctors disagree 1. Address the challenge head on. Initiate a “Prognosis Request” clearly outlining questions related to current work status, physical restrictions, and potential MMI date. 2. Distribute a copy of your Return-to-Work Status Request simultaneously to ALL physicians involved. Make it easy to read and always clearly provide a FAX number for reply. 3. Coordinate a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) to clearly address current medical return-to-work capability. Make sure the findings from this valuable diagnostic test don’t get lost in the shuffle. If full duty is not possible, but modified duty is appropriate – congratulations you’ve got something to work with. (workersxzcompxzkit) Get copies of the report to all physicians involved and request an updated Medical Work Status. 4. Do your RTW homework. Once it is clear some level of work is possible, explore a Labor Market Research Report and prepare several types of position descriptions for consideration. Visit www.SOARresearch.com as a good resource for this type of data research. 5. Be diligent with paperwork. Multiple medical providers who stubbornly disagree on full duty work status, often readily concur on some level of modified duty as appropriate. Narrowing down this agreement may require initiating several rounds of discussion. 6. Use legal support if needed. Medical RTW status checks are important. If an Authorized Treating Physician (ATP), Independent Medical Evaluation (IME) or other provider is not responding to your requests, check-in with legal council to discuss deposition options. 7. Don’t forget to say “thank-you” to the medical provider and staff for their help in facilitating Work Status Requests and review/approval of Job Descriptions. 6. Do remember to take action. Send written notification to respective parties in a claim when medical RTW status has changed. Include transitional duty or job search support, mediation and or settlement offers about your future claim strategy. Author: Gordon R. Butler, national authority and consultant on employability & wage capacity in workers’ comp, liability, PIP and LTD Claims. He can be reached at 321-377-1164 (cell) or email gbutler@gbutlerconsult.com www.gbutlerconsult.com Click on these links to try it for yourself! WC Calculator www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com/calculator.php TD Calculator www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com/transitional-duty-cost-calculator.php WC 101 www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com/workers_comp.php Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws are different. Consult with your corporate legal counsel before implementing any cost containment programs. ©2008 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com