Return-to-work
As a condition of insurance coverage, each employer is required to demonstrate its commitment to return-to-work by putting a basic program in writing
Design a basic return-to-work program
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 workers' compensation costs down.
- Avoid overtime, hiring and retraining costs.
- Lessen your chances for litigation.
Return-to-work also allows the employee to heal while staying productive and in a working mindset. So not only is it beneficial for employers, but recuperating employees as well.
Solid return-to-work practices are fundamental to managing the costs of workers' compensation claims. SFM takes a proactive approach in helping injured employees return to work. SFM also 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 workers' compensation activities.
3. Select a primary care clinic. You'll want to establish a good working relationship with a designated clinic and suggest that your employees go there. If you need help finding a local clinic that understands occupational medicine and return-to-work, call your SFM claims representative at (952) 838-4200 or (800) 937-1181. SFM recommends selecting a provider that participates in the CorVel preferred provider organization. These providers offer medical care meeting standards of quality and have agreed to discounted fees for SFM policyholders. Look up local PPO providers. Go to CorVel's website www.corvel.com, "Provider Look-Up", then "Find Providers Near You."
4. Identify transitional jobs. Because transitional jobs comply with medical restrictions, they provide opportunities for your employees 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, alternated job tasks or modified jobs to accommodate physical limitations. Your claims representative can help you identify transitional jobs.
Put your program in writing
Besides submitting your program statement to SFM, you may also want to inform your employees about it.
See a sample written program statement that incorporates these four steps. It may help you write one for your organization.
For more information, see the "Return-to-work" section of the Minnesota or Wisconsin "Employer Kit."
Sample program (Word)
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