• Menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Search
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
 

Amaxx Workers Comp Blog

Reduce Workers Compensation Costs By 20-50%

Header Right

  • Home
    • Training Center
  • Get Started
    • Newcomers Class for WC Professionals
    • Subscribe to Free Newsletter
    • Free Training Center Account
    • Return to Work Resources
    • WC Claims Mgmt. Resources
    • Insurance Advisor Resources
  • Membership
    • Insider (free account)
    • WC Mastery
    • Teams & Managers Mastery
    • Training Partners
  • Products
    • On-Demand Courses
    • Specialty Courses
    • Certifications & Mastery Courses
    • Ultimate Guidebooks
  • Blog
    • Video Blogs
    • COVID-19 / Coronavirus Pandemic
  • Login

Mobile Menu

Choose Broadspire

CHOOSE BROADSPIREBroadspire Delivers Meaningful Results to Our Clients and Their Claimants
  • Home
    • Training Center
  • Get Started
    • Newcomers Class for WC Professionals
    • Subscribe to Free Newsletter
    • Free Training Center Account
    • Return to Work Resources
    • WC Claims Mgmt. Resources
    • Insurance Advisor Resources
  • Membership
    • Insider (free account)
    • WC Mastery
    • Teams & Managers Mastery
    • Training Partners
  • Products
    • On-Demand Courses
    • Specialty Courses
    • Certifications & Mastery Courses
    • Ultimate Guidebooks
  • Blog
    • Video Blogs
    • COVID-19 / Coronavirus Pandemic
  • Login
  • Search
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
You are here: Home / Medical Cost Containment / Coordinating Medical Care / Catastrophically Injured Workers: How to Protect the Most Vulnerable During COVID-19

Catastrophically Injured Workers: How to Protect the Most Vulnerable During COVID-19

September 8, 2020 By //  by Michael B. Stack

Increased incidents of depression and anxiety, substance abuse, chronic pain, and delayed outcomes — all are risks associated with the current coronavirus pandemic. They are also typically prevalent among catastrophically injured workers. The current environment exacerbates those risks exponentially. The need for prompt, appropriate care for these high-risk injured workers has never been more critical.

Treating catastrophically injured workers requires profound expertise in many areas of medicine during the best of times, as there are innumerable unique issues involved. These unprecedented times demand teams of specially trained providers are called in immediately when such a case occurs, if these injured workers are to have any chance of returning to function and productivity.

Click Link to Access Free PDF Download

“The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers’ Comp Injury Causation”

Catastrophic Injuries

Spinal cord injuries, severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, and loss of limbs can change a person’s life in an instance. A once able-bodied worker is suddenly thrust into a situation of permanent disability, long-term health problems, and possibly a reduction in life expectancy. The worker’s family is a significant part of the equation as well, since the worker’s income and other familial contributions are suddenly in jeopardy.

It’s no wonder that these injured workers are at higher risk for comorbid complications than other injured workers. COVID-19 has added to the complexities these workers face, from a physical as well as a psychological standpoint. The most critical catastrophic conditions often involve severe respiratory conditions, neurological issues, cardiopulmonary dysfunction, and infections, all of which put a person at high risk of poor outcomes if they do contract COVID-19. Additionally, a catastrophically injured worker who contracts COVID-19 may have a functional disability, such as post-Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and post-intensive care syndrome.

Employers and payers need to be aware of the variety of potential issues facing workers with catastrophic injuries so they can ensure appropriate care that will lead to the best outcomes and reduced costs. Treating catastrophically injured workers may require specialists in any or all of the following areas:

  • Chronic pain. Managing pain is a specialty unto itself, especially for catastrophically injured workers. Despite their best intentions, treating physicians are rarely equipped to adequately deliver the care needed and may actually worsen the worker’s situation. Providers with experience in the biopsychosocial model are the best bet to help these workers. They understand how to intervene early to help prevent chronic pain from derailing the worker’s recovery.
  • Substance Abuse. More than 35 states have reported an increase in opioid overdoses during the past several months, according to the American Medical Association. Among people in pain management, incidental addiction is on the rise. Appropriate treatment for catastrophically injured workers is, therefore, imperative. Providers must have expertise in both substance abuse and catastrophic injuries to be effective. Addiction recovery professionals can determine which type of treatment is most appropriate for an injured worker at risk, as there are many varieties available, such as inpatient, outpatient, detoxification, medication management, and other methods.
  • Depression/anxiety. Mental health issues are one of the most common comorbidities among catastrophically injured workers, especially during the COVID pandemic. However, the symptoms may not be evident to treating physicians, claims handlers, nurse case managers, or others involved in the claim. Psychologists who specialize in helping catastrophically injured workers are best positioned to make the call early in the claim and determine the best treatment option.

    FREE DOWNLOAD: “The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers’ Comp Injury Causation”

Early Intervention is Key 

Once a catastrophic injury occurs, a team of specialists is best equipped to foster an optimal outcome. Some of the steps include:

  • Assessment of the injury. The diagnosis should be clarified, as incorrect diagnoses are all too frequent and can have a devastating effect on the claim.
  • Medical service needs must be quickly identified and coordinated.
  • The proper integrated team of providers should be lined up and may include psychologists, burn surgeons, leading researchers in brain injuries — all with deep expertise in caring for catastrophically injured workers.
  • Identifying and providing the very best possible treatment. In addition to specializing in their various fields, the team of providers also needs to be up to date on the latest available treatments and their effectiveness. It is extremely difficult for those not solely focused on catastrophic injuries to understand the latest procedures and costs. They must understand, for example, opportunities and the value of 3D printing, neuroendocrine screening, and prosthetics.

Conclusion

Catastrophic injuries, while rare, occur and can upend an injured worker’s life. The associated costs can bankrupt an organization. But that need not be the case. Providing the best care as quickly as possible can get the worker on a successful path to recovery and protect the employer as well.

Michael Stack - AmaxxAuthor Michael Stack, CEO Amaxx LLC. He is an expert in workers’ compensation cost containment systems and helps employers reduce their workers’ comp costs by 20% to 50%.  He works as a consultant to large and mid-market clients, is a co-author of Your Ultimate Guide To Mastering Workers Comp Costs, a comprehensive step-by-step manual of cost containment strategies based on hands-on field experience, and is the founder & lead trainer of Amaxx Workers’ Comp Training Center, which offers the Certified Master of Workers’ Compensation national designation.

Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.

Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: http://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/

©2020 Amaxx LLC. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker, attorney, or qualified professional.

FREE DOWNLOAD: “The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers’ Comp Injury Causation”

Filed Under: Coordinating Medical Care

Related Articles

Independent Study by Actuarial Firm Finds Paradigm Catastrophic Care Management’s Improved Outcomes Managing Workers’ Compensation Claims

Independent Study by Actuarial Firm Finds Paradigm Catastrophic Care Management’s Improved Outcomes Managing Workers’ Compensation Claims

How Targeted Behavioral Health Support Keeps Catastrophic Claims on Track for Best Outcomes

How Targeted Behavioral Health Support Keeps Catastrophic Claims on Track for Best Outcomes

Paradigm Deepens Behavioral Health Support for Catastrophically Injured Workers with AiRCare Health Partnership

Paradigm Deepens Behavioral Health Support for Catastrophically Injured Workers with AiRCare Health Partnership

Covid-19 Clinical Management for Injured Workers

Covid-19 Clinical Management for Injured Workers

Paradigm Introduces New First of its Kind COVID-19 Clinical Management Program for Injured Workers

Paradigm Introduces New First of its Kind COVID-19 Clinical Management Program for Injured Workers

Using a Disability Case Manager in Vocational Rehabilitation

Using a Disability Case Manager in Vocational Rehabilitation

Expertise of Senior Nurse Reviewers Generates Work Comp Savings

Expertise of Senior Nurse Reviewers Generates Work Comp Savings

3 Elements Needed In Workers’ Comp Medical Networks

3 Elements Needed In Workers’ Comp Medical Networks

Controlling Work Comp Transportation Expense Is More Than Ordering an Uber

Controlling Work Comp Transportation Expense Is More Than Ordering an Uber

9 Questions to Ask Injured Worker’s Treating Physician

9 Questions to Ask Injured Worker’s Treating Physician

8 Ways to Prepare For The Next Healthcare Reform

8 Ways to Prepare For The Next Healthcare Reform

When A Doctor Will Not Release Employee To Light Duty

When A Doctor Will Not Release Employee To Light Duty

Train to Succeed

BECOME CERTIFIED IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Proven Course Catalog & WC Toolbox Give You The Power To Achieve Lower Costs and Better Injured Worker Outcomes

VISIT WORKERS' COMP TRAINING CENTER

Free Download

The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers' Comp Injury Causation - FREE Download Click Here Now!

Previous Post: «TEN Steps Every Adjuster Should Perform In a Workers Comp Claim Investigation Investigate Work Comp Claims Early And Thoroughly
Next Post: 8 Tips to an Effective Return to Work Program return to work»

Primary Sidebar

FREE DOWNLOAD

The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers' Comp Injury Causation - FREE Download Click Here Now!

Our Sponsors

Catastrophic Care Management, Complex Care, and Specialty Networks
 

Hiring and Return to Work Testing
 

Medcor

Injury Triage, Onsite Clinics
 

Broadspire

Workers’ Comp 3rd-Party Administrator
 

Ametros

Post-Settlement Administration
 

Medicare Secondary Payer Services

Read Our Award-Winning Blog

Blog Categories

Search Our Archive

Subscribe to Our FREE Newsletter

Footer

Search Our Archive

Search our continually growing archive of over 2500 articles about Workers' Comp issues.

Quiclinks

  • Calculators
  • Terms & Abbreviations
  • Glossary of WC Premium Terms
  • WC Resources
  • Best Practices
  • Industries

RSS Recent Blog Posts

  • Implement These Safety Training Guidelines
  • Small Communication Improvements Lead to Large Workers’ Comp Savings
  • Identify And Correct Workers’ Comp Litigation Drivers
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEE NEWSLETTER
Let Us Help You Stomp Down the High Cost of Workers' Comp!
Top of Page ↑
  • Home
  • Training Center
  • Get Started
  • Membership
  • Products
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Login
Copyright © 2021 Amaxx, LLC. All Rights Reserved. · Privacy Policy / Legal Notice