Division of Risk Management State of Florida Loss Prevention Program

You will be able to:  Recognize the benefits of an effective return-to- work (RTW) program.  Learn how to adopt the model RTW Program Guidelines for your agency.  Share best practices regarding overcoming obstacles in preventing the implementation of an effective RTW program.

 Questions can be posted during the training using the chat feature or by simply asking the presenter.  Please have mute button ON unless asking a question.  Please DO NOT place phone on hold during training.  Respect each other at all times and ask questions so we all can learn.

Prequiz: How Much Do You Know? The DWC-25 form should be completed by the nurse case manager. If your agency is having trouble with OptaComp, you should contact the Division of Risk Management. If the physician doesn’t provide clear functional limitations and restrictions, you should contact the nurse case manager.

 It helps the employee adjust back to work.  It fulfills employee’s need to feel valued and important.  It saves your agency money. Lost time claims account for 10% of workers’ compensation claims, but account for 80% of workers’ compensation costs.

 Research and comparison of previously implemented RTW programs were conducted.  A set of guidelines that all agencies could adopt was then developed.

 Definitions.  Roles and responsibilities.  Policies and procedures.  Awareness and accountability.  Loss Control Committee.  Alternate duty or modified duty tasks.  Communications, monitoring, and coordination.  Employee Notification Letter.  Exit process.  Recordkeeping.

Define terms that are common to returning employees, workers’ compensation, employee injuries, and risk management. Alternate duty, authorized treating physician, functional restrictions and limitation, and modified duty are a few such terms.

Employee must attend medical appointments, agree to terms of program, and perform duties as assigned. Agency or university supervisor, risk manager, and workers’ compensation coordinator work as a team to ensure program success. Medical case management provider assigns nurse case manager to ensure proper medical treatment and proper documentation of restrictions and limitations on the DWC-25. Division of Risk Management pays medical bills for and indemnity to injured employee.

 Adopt official policies and procedures through your internal agency process.  At a minimum, include definitions, roles and responsibilities, and provisions for program entry, performance, exit, evaluation, and recordkeeping.

 Training, training, and more training. Train when first hired and train annually. Train employees and supervisors.  Feature return-to-work in newsletters and s to all employees.  Conduct an annual evaluation.

 Form a new committee or combine loss control with the Safety Committee.  Review weekly indemnity reports from Division to see who is out and what they are costing.  Review individual claim cases to determine if employee can return to work.  Where possible, get employees back to work.  Review data to see trends and where agency resources need to be focused.

Develop and document alternate duty tasks based on the DWC-25 functional limitations and restrictions. Identify and document modified duty tasks on a case by case basis using the same DWC-25 functional limitations and restrictions.

 Communications with and monitoring of the employee are required to ensure the employee returns to work as quickly as possible and successfully participates in alternate duty or modified duty work assignments.  Coordination is necessary with the nurse case manager to ensure frequent updates on the employee status, to clarify any medical information provided, and to resolve any agency concerns about medical services provided to employee.

Return-to-Work Program Notification Letter specifies employee's obligations to participate in the return-to- work program, and the actual alternate duty or modified duty work. The employee should sign the letter.

 Document employee’s exit from program.  Meet with employee to discuss progress and cover options for resuming regular duty or permanent disability.

Establish a recordkeeping system, including handling of confidential information. Files must be maintained in an orderly fashion and confidential records must be kept secure at all times.

 An effective return-to-work program involves a few key elements that are well worth the investment.  The complete Model Return-to-Work Program Guidelines can be downloaded from this webinar training to your computer.

 What is the best way to handle poor employee attitudes regarding RTW programs?  What is the best way to improve communication between all interested parties regarding RTW programs?

 Are there any questions regarding the implementation of a RTW Program for your company?

 Return to work (RTW) programs are essential to reducing claim costs.  The RTW Program Guidelines are a resource, so be sure to use them.  Obstacles preventing an effective RTW program can be overcome.

An effective return-to-work program involves a few key elements that are well worth the investment. The complete Model Return-to-Work Program Guidelines can be accessed through the Division of Risk Management’s website at the link: rvices/Agency%20Standards/index1.htm. rvices/Agency%20Standards/index1.htm

For more information on this subject, please contact: Division of Risk Management State of Florida Loss Prevention Program (850)