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

Before Header

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
 
Paradigm

Amaxx Workers Comp Blog

Reduce Workers Compensation Costs By 20-50%

Header Right

  • Home
    • Training Center
  • Search
    • Free Resources & Solutions
    • Subscribe to Free Newsletter
    • Create Free Training Center Account
    • Enroll in On-Demand Courses
    • Activate WC Mastery Membership
    • Request Strategic Coaching Session
    • Buy WC Guidebooks
  • Membership
    • Insider (free account)
    • WC Mastery
    • Teams & Managers Mastery
    • Training Partners
  • Products
    • On-Demand Courses
    • Specialty Courses
    • Certifications & Mastery Courses
    • Ultimate Guidebooks
    • Coaching
  • Blog
    • Video Blogs
    • COVID-19 / Coronavirus Pandemic
  • Login

Mobile Menu

  • Home
    • Training Center
  • Search
    • Free Resources & Solutions
    • Subscribe to Free Newsletter
    • Create Free Training Center Account
    • Enroll in On-Demand Courses
    • Activate WC Mastery Membership
    • Request Strategic Coaching Session
    • Buy WC Guidebooks
  • Membership
    • Insider (free account)
    • WC Mastery
    • Teams & Managers Mastery
    • Training Partners
  • Products
    • On-Demand Courses
    • Specialty Courses
    • Certifications & Mastery Courses
    • Ultimate Guidebooks
    • Coaching
  • Blog
    • Video Blogs
    • COVID-19 / Coronavirus Pandemic
  • Login
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
You are here: Home / Post Injury Systems / Return to Work and Transitional Duty / Understanding Vocational Rehabilitation in Workers’ Compensation

Understanding Vocational Rehabilitation in Workers’ Compensation

November 16, 2021 By //  by Michael B. Stack Leave a Comment

Vocational rehabilitation in workers’ compensation is a challenging and expensive area. Due to these factors, it is important that members of the claim management team understand the rights of the employee and responsibilities of the insurer in this area of benefits.

What is Vocational Rehabilitation?

Traditional workers’ compensation programs did not initially include vocational rehabilitation as a guaranteed benefit for people suffering from workplace injuries. In the 1960s and 70s, state legislatures started to add vocational rehabilitation as a right under workers’ compensation programs.

The main thrust of rehabilitation is to return the injured employee to their pre-injury position or another position where they have a similar economic status. While the roles of rehabilitation vary from state to state, the main areas of concern include coordination with the date of injury employer regarding return to work, job placement, on-the-job training and retraining.

Click Link to Access Free PDF Download

“13 Research Studies to Prove Value of Return-to-Work Program & Gain Stakeholder Buy-In”

How Does It Work?

An injured worker is typically eligible to receive rehabilitation services if they have a disability that prevents them from returning to work. In most jurisdictions, eligibility entitles them the ability to work with a specialized professional who has experience in assisting persons to coordinate medical and employment services. This person is often referred to as a “Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant,” or QRC.

The role of a QRC varies from state to state and is often defined by statute or rule. This person will usually have specialized training in helping persons with disabilities become gainfully employed. Their ability to “advocate” for the injured party is often limited, but they can provide expert testimony regarding economic forces and how that limits an injured worker in fully returning to the labor market.

The rehabilitation process often begins with an initial evaluation. This will include an interview with the injured worker and an assessment of their vocational and educational history, along with medical status. A report is then issued outline the barriers and opportunities for the impacted person. In some instances, a proposed plan is prepared that includes employment or further educational opportunities.

Return-to-Work or Retraining

In most instances, the initial steps of returning an injured worker to gainful employment is a focus on return to work. This can include opportunities in a light duty capacity with the date of injury employer, or job search in the local community. Other steps that can be taken include assistance obtaining employment through courses on how to prepare a resume and tips for successful interviews. A focus is also given on disability related issues.

Retraining is one of the main cost drivers in vocational rehabilitation. In some instances, this can include obtaining a high school diploma, GED certificate or a post-secondary education. Included in these costs often go beyond tuition, books and other school supplies. In most jurisdictions, insurance carriers are also required to pay the person wage loss benefits beyond any applicable statutory limits.

Practice Pointers When Confronting Rehabilitation

  • Communication and cooperation. Studies indicate that most disabled persons want to re-enter the labor market. In order to be successful, claim management teams need to have open lines of communication beyond the injured worker. Including the date of injury employer is essential.

    FREE DOWNLOAD: “13 Research Studies to Prove Value of Return-to-Work Program & Gain Stakeholder Buy-In”

  • Injured workers suffering severe injuries are faced with many challenges. While they may be receiving a wage loss benefit, these benefits are often paying a reduced wage. While receiving TTD or TPD, the injured worker is still expected to pay 100% of their everyday bills. Going the extra mile often pays dividends in the end.
  • Specialization of claim management services. Identifying claims with a significant rehabilitation exposure is only the first step in the claims process. An effective claim management team should work with dedicate claim handlers when dealing with these issues to be cost-effective.

 

FREE DOWNLOAD: “13 Research Studies to Prove Value of Return-to-Work Program & Gain Stakeholder Buy-In”

 

Filed Under: Return to Work and Transitional Duty

Related Articles

Back to School Improves Your Return to Work Program

Back to School Improves Your Return to Work Program

How To Know When To Expect Your Employee Back To Work

How To Know When To Expect Your Employee Back To Work

Get Serious About Developing Your Return-To-Work Policy

Get Serious About Developing Your Return-To-Work Policy

Using Vocational Rehabilitation to Resolve Work Comp Cases: Dealing with Retraining

Using Vocational Rehabilitation to Resolve Work Comp Cases: Dealing with Retraining

Using Vocational Rehabilitation to Resolve Work Comp Cases: Managing the Voc Rehab Plan

Using Vocational Rehabilitation to Resolve Work Comp Cases: Managing the Voc Rehab Plan

Using Vocational Rehabilitation to Resolve Work Comp Cases: Eligibility For Services

Using Vocational Rehabilitation to Resolve Work Comp Cases: Eligibility For Services

Using Vocational Rehabilitation to Resolve Work Comp Cases: A Primer

Using Vocational Rehabilitation to Resolve Work Comp Cases: A Primer

6 Factors to Consider in Failed Return To Work

6 Factors to Consider in Failed Return To Work

Utilize Different Return To Work Approach For Different Employees

Utilize Different Return To Work Approach For Different Employees

Convince Your Employer Of Return To Work Benefits

Convince Your Employer Of Return To Work Benefits

Return-To-Work: Create a Win/Win in Your Work Comp Program

Return-To-Work: Create a Win/Win in Your Work Comp Program
digital job description

Why and How Good Job Descriptions Help Reduce Workers’ Compensation Costs

Why and How Good Job Descriptions Help Reduce Workers’ Compensation Costs

Free Download

13 Research Studies to Prove Value of Return-to-Work Program & Gain Stakeholder Buy-In - FREE Download Click Here Now!

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

Previous Post: « I Tested Positive For Covid-19
Next Post: Alcohol and Workers Compensation »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

FREE DOWNLOAD

Step-by-Process to Master Workers' Comp in 90 Days - FREE Download Click Here Now!

Our Sponsors

ARCADIA - Enhancing Settlement Outcomes

The Structured Settlements Company
 

Catastrophic and Risk Solutions, Case Management Solutions, and Specialty Networks
 

Post-Settlement Administration
 

Medcor

Injury Triage, Onsite Clinics

Blog Categories

Search Our Archive

Subscribe to Our FREE Newsletter

Return-to-Work Essentials

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
  • Return-to-Work Essentials

RSS Recent Blog Posts

  • Claim Team Opportunities Through Innovation
  • Average Weekly Wage: Overcoming Obstacles
  • Average Weekly Wage: Getting it Right
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEE NEWSLETTER
Let Us Help You Stomp Down the High Cost of Workers' Comp!
Top of Page ↑
  • Home
  • Training Center
  • Search
  • Membership
  • Products
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Login
Copyright © 2023 Amaxx, LLC. All Rights Reserved. · Privacy Policy / Legal Notice