Study: Physician panels reduce duration of lost time claims

Frequently, the first question after a work injury is reported is, where do I go for treatment?  Each state has its own provisions regarding physician panels, including whether they are permitted, what types of providers must be on the panel, and rules governing the change to a new provider.

The treating physician plays a very important role in the direction and duration of a WC claim.  Physicians influence the injured worker's return to work, permanency rating, frequency and cost of care, as well as their eligibility for WC benefits by giving an opinion as to whether the injury is work-related or not.

Neumark, Barth and Victor (2007) utilized data collected from 750 interviews with employers and injured workers in California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Texas, as well as data from the WCRI database of over 16 million workers' compensation claims.  They focused on the impact of provider choice.  In this study, provider choice is defined as by the employer or employee.  More specifically, it looks at outcomes when an employee chose to treat with someone they've previously treated with, or when they choose a new provider.

So, how do you think that an employee's choice of a new provider or a provider that they have previously treated with impacts the following issues? Take a minute to jot down your answers.  I gave you a freebie with the title of this post.  The results may or may not surprise you.

To push oneself or self-protect oneself, that is the question...

...asked by many older workers.  Many of us have asked ourselves the same question, whether it's a choice between taking the stairs or the elevator, doing that extra set of reps at the gym, or getting out of bed after pulling a back muscle.  It is also likely that the decision you would have made at age 20 is not the same decision that you would make at age 45. 

What factors go into making these decisions?  More importantly, how can employers and insurers use their understanding of this decision making process to improve the outcomes of WC claims for their older employers?

Video: An introduction to ecovery

Learn how ecovery, an exclusive, value-added program from Eastern Alliance Insurance Group, helps return injured workers back to wellness and productivity by using work as a therapeutic tool.

Return to Wellness Perspectives: Juanita Snyder

Welcome to our first blog interview!  Since ecovery is a holistic, proactive approach to returning injured workers to wellness and productivity, the entire Eastern service team works together to support our Return to Wellness philosophy.  Over the next few weeks, we’ll take a look at ecovery from a variety of team perspectives.  First up, Juanita Snyder, Eastern’s Regional Supervisor of Risk Management for the Southeast Region, provides her thoughts on ecovery and why it is a Best Practice for every employer!

Q: From your risk management perspective and experience, what is the biggest challenge for an employer in offering modified duty?

A: The biggest challenges I see is not understanding what modified duty is, what modified duty can be and how to do implement modified duty.  The other issue that is significant to overcome is past experience.  For some reason, employers feel they cannot manage an injured employee.  Once they realize they still have the ability to manage the employee and hold them accountable to doing productive work, they are often more willing to move forward with a modified duty position.  

Permanent Restrictions - the ultimate challenge

Cartoon Source:  Safety.BLR.com

SCENARIO:  As an employer, you've been cooperating with providing modified duty within the injured employee's work restrictions.  Despite the challenges, you've made it work.  And then you receive notice that the injured employee's work restrictions are permanent.  What is a mason who cannot lift cinder blocks all day going to do?  What could a dietary aide worker do who cannot feed patients possibly do?  How about the delivery truck driver who has never done anything but deliver auto parts?

Consider the following ideas as options to resolving your most challenging RTW opportunities: