Case Management Focus: Small Gains that can Impact Return-to-Work Strategies

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -- As a case manager, working with injured workers to make gains toward return to work is an essential part of my role. Depending on the patient, gains may be small, mini steps toward this goal. In other cases, the gain may be significant because the patient is in the right program, ready to work, and motivated to get to the next level. Here are some tips I have learned over my career that will help you return injured workers to gainful employment.

• Assist in getting the patient the medical care they need to address their injuries and return to work. I do this by being proactive and working with the healthcare team, the injured worker, and the adjuster.
• Proactively monitor the Injured worker's progress. Checking in with the injured worker to be on top of any issues impacting progress. Also, talking to the therapist working with the injured worker – getting progress reports to be aware of any problems. Last, communicating with the treating physicians about the progress made or lack of progress sooner than later is critical to identifying issues early on and rectifying them as needed.
• Talking to the Injured worker to be aware of issues and challenges. If I find the patient needs to make progress, I work with the patient and therapist to find out why. Often, the person is not fully participating as they are in pain, depressed, or having challenges at home. I mitigate these challenges by working with all stakeholders to identify solutions to these barriers. I need to bring the person back to the doctor for re-evaluation. Being proactive is vital to keeping the person on track.
• Helping to set realistic expectations with the injured worker as to their progress. If I am working with a person who was involved in a catastrophic accident, I need to work with them to realize their rehab program might be slow, but if they are making gains, progress is being made.
• As the patient progresses in therapy, I work with the employer to see if they can accommodate them to return to work. I work with the therapist and the treating physician to learn if the patient has restrictions and determine what modifications can be implemented to accommodate the injured worker and their limitations. The injured worker is involved in the plan, so we have their buy-in.
• If the employer can accommodate the injured worker, I bring the documentation to the physician so he can sign off on the plan of care and work to implement things.
• When the worker returns to work, I closely monitor the injured worker to ensure they are adapting and there are no setbacks.
• I also work with the therapist, and the employers are essential, so I will know that the injured worker is adapting to their role.
• In complex cases, calling in a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor should be done, as they have the expertise to evaluate the injured worker's transferable skills and investigate jobs appropriate for a worker with restrictions. They often work with employers willing to bring an injured worker back to work, which is a big win for all stakeholders.

Gains are small and slow to come for injured workers. Being proactive, being aware of restrictions, and working together as a team can result in significant gains that show the value you bring as a workers' compensation case manager for the employer, the insurance company, and the injured worker!

These tips will help you as a workers' compensation case manager. Please share what has worked for you to accommodate your clients in return to work. You can reach me at allewellyn48@gmail.com

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