Proper Documentation Proper documentation is very important to maintain an organized program of injury management. The program requires constant communication with the employees, the doctors and the insurance division. To facilitate implementation and to avoid duplication of effort, MaxCo provides its divisions with many sample form letters suitable for various situations. These forms are standardized within divisions and customized according to state law. Each contact with the employee or doctor is recorded on an Employee Contact Log so actions can be substantiated in court or at a hearing if necessary.
Proper and timely medical care is crucial to ensure the length of disability matches the length of absence. The original injury claim may be entirely legitimate, but the employee's absence is unnecessarily extended. To coordinate care, MaxCo encourages constant correspondence and telephone communication with the doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors to ensure treatment is appropriate and provided according to a ‘treatment plan." MaxCo encourages its (workersxzcompxzkit) divisions to schedule the employees' medical appointments during normal working hours; to transport the worker to and from the doctor, back to the facility. Employees know when they are out on workers' compensation, they must be available for and keep all medical appointments. Medical Case Management, Work-Hardening, and Vocational Rehabilitation Services, provided by certified medical consultants and other vendors are an integral part of the program. These services are triggered automatically via the Account Handling Instructions with the division's third-party administrator. Medical Provider Cost Containment Medical cost containment for all workers' compensation medical costs is aggressively managed at MaxCo to ensure the cost of care is appropriate and the duration and number of treatments are necessary. The following is required:
- Corporate medical doctor who reviews file.
- Mandating fee schedule compliance.
- Auditing medical bills/hospital bills.
- Use of preselected division doctors.
- Negotiating provider fees.
- Utilization review of all hospital admissions.
By monitoring medical costs, MaxCo is able to determine the quality of care being provided to its employees. If it is not adequate MaxCo may authorize specialized treatment if appropriate. MaxCo divisions receive guidelines on "How to Select a Doctor." Author: Robert Elliott, J.D. 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
