worker's compensation

[TWR]

Has anyone worked with workers comp?  Any suggestions or caveats?  Salaries, etc.  Thanks

[Guest UVAPAC]

Sent you a private message

[sas5814]

I have worked a few places that did WC. I found it to generally be a headache. There was a constant push-pull between the employer who wants the patient released and the patient who often wants to milk it. It was also rife with outright malingerers who work very hard at getting something for nothing.

[rev ronin]

I've done it and love it.  Malingerers are far outnumbered by real people who have disastrous problems that have never healed right.  I'm one of few providers in my area who will take on "old" cases--I have plenty that are a dozen years old or more.

[d2305]

I don't know which is worse wc or voc rehab. Both can drain all your energy. WC are easy once they're established, however.

[mgriffiths]

In my short time of experience I have found that WC is actually not all that complicated as long as you are clear regarding expectations, especially regarding pain medication.  Those that are just trying to milk it for narcotics and aren't willing to go through PT move on, those who are actually suffering and need attention jump through the few hoops and then it is a very rewarding process.

[Guest JMPA]

There is no "between you and me"

know you MOI

do not, do not let the patient steer you

[Cideous]

Make sure you are in an area with a good referral base that takes WC.  Specifically, Ortho and Ophthalmology.  Lots of Ortho's stopped taking it in some areas.  That literally leaves you holding the bag or trying to figure out how to get someone to a referral appointment an hour away.

[skyblu]

We do a lot of work comp in my UC and I’ve found people are mostly reasonable.

Some pearls:

Nobody gets put out of work unless they are truly incapacitated (bed bound, hospitalized, emergency surgery, etc.)

If patient tells you there is no light duty at their job, put them on light duty anyway. That way it is the employer’s responsibility to find them something to do or send them home.

Bring everyone back for re-eval in a few days to re assess.

If symptoms are the same, refer to PT. If sxs are improving, dial back their work restrictions and see them again in a few days. If sxs are resolved, release them to full duty.

In our UC, policy is to not write for anything controlled. We can if we want you, but as a group we are on the same page and we just don’t. In 2.5 years there, I’ve written for opioids maybe half a dozen times, all for acutely broken bones.

If the patient needs ortho or other specialist referral, write it in their paperwork and tell them to have their case manager give them a list of specialists covered by their WC insurance. Then ask that they come back to see you with ALL paperwork from their specialist visit and proceed from there.


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