Return-to-work
How to design a basic program for your company

Bringing an employee back to work as soon as medically appropriate is not only the right thing to do, but also a good business decision. Through early return-to-work, you can:

• Keep claims costs and therefore your workers' compensation costs down.

• Avoid overtime, hiring and retraining costs.

• Lessen the possibility for litigation and long-term wage-loss disability claims.

Return-to-work also allows the employee to recuperate while staying productive and in a working mindset.

SFM expects each employer to take at least the four basic steps that help return-to-work be successful.

As a condition of insurance coverage, each employer is required to demonstrate its commitment to return-to-work by putting this basic four-step program in writing. Your written program must be submitted to SFM or to your insurance agent within 30 days of your policy's inception.

Your four-step program

(1) Draft your policy. This is a statement to your employees expressing your formal commitment to the return-to-work process.

(2) Appoint a claims coordinator. This is a specific individual in your organization to coordinate your worker's compensation activities.

(3) Select a primary care provider. You'll want your injured employees to go to providers that practice occupational medicine and will work with you on return-to-work issues. You are encouraged to select a provider that participates in CorVel's extensive "CorCare" medical network.

(4) Identify transitional jobs. These provide opportunities for injured employees with medical restrictions to return to work even if they are unable to return to their pre-injury positions.

Transitional jobs may include part-time work, existing jobs with different physical requirements, jobs at reduced pay, alternated job tasks or modified jobs to accommodate physical limitations. See information on transitional jobs.

Put your program in writing

A sample written program statement that incorporates these four steps is on the next page. It may help you write one for your organization.

Besides submitting your written program to SFM, you should also let your employees know about it. Consider giving them copies or posting it where they will see it.

For a cursory review of your statement or program, contact SFM's Loss Prevention department at (952) 838-4200 or (800) 937-1181.

For additional resources, order SFM's CompTalk, "Advanced return to work: Enhance your program to make it even more effective" from SFM's online Resource Catalog at www.sfmic.com or call (952) 838-4325 or (800) 937-1181 ext. 4325.