OhioBWC - Basics: (Policy library) - File

Definitions

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION DEFINITIONS

 

Approval or Denial to Participate in Vocational Rehabilitation: A determination made by BWC order that addresses the injured worker’s:

·        Eligibility;

·        Feasibility; and

·        Living maintenance compensation.

 

Assessment Plan: An individualized, written plan designed to evaluate the specific barriers to reemployment for an injured worker and to aid in establishing a return to work goal.

 

Attorney of Record (AOR): The legal representative authorized by the injured worker or other claimant, as evidenced by the most recently filed Claimant Authorized Representative (R-2).

 

Comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation Plan (“Comprehensive Plan”): An individualized, written plan outlining all the vocational rehabilitation services and activities authorized for the injured worker in order to obtain employment.

 

Disability Management Coordinator (DMC): A rehabilitation professional employed by BWC, responsible for determining an injured worker’s eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services, overseeing the provision of such services, authorizing all living maintenance and living maintenance wage loss and acting as a liaison for BWC to the managed care organization and

vocational rehabilitation service providers.

 

Eligibility: An initial step in evaluating a referral for vocational rehabilitation that determines if the injured worker meets the requirements of O.R.C. 4123-18-03.

 

Employer of Record (EOR): The employer of the injured worker at the time of injury.

 

Employment Specialist: A provider that supplies one or more of the following services:

·        Job Placement;

·        Job Development;

·        Job Seeking Skills Training;

·        Job Club;

·        Job Coaching.

 

Feasibility: An initial and ongoing determination that the injured worker is willing and is able to participate in vocational rehabilitation services, and that there is a reasonable probability that the injured worker will benefit from, and return to work because of, the services.

 

Follow-up Services: Vocational rehabilitation services provided after the injured worker returns to work and prior to case closure, designed to ensure the stability of the return to work.

 

Hard Copy Signature: The actual signature, a photo of the actual signature, or a stamp of the actual signature. A scanned document sent via fax or email which reflects a hard copy signature is acceptable. A typed or font signature is not an acceptable hard copy signature.

 

Initial Assessment: The phase at the beginning of the vocational rehabilitation process when the vocational rehabilitation case manager is reviewing and gathering additional vocational information, including contacting the injured worker, the employer of record, the physician of record and other individuals relevant to the injured worker’s vocational status.

 

Initial Assessment Report: The report created by the vocational rehabilitation case manager at the conclusion of the initial assessment that summarizes the current vocational factors and includes a recommendation for next steps.

 

Job Development Services: A vocational service that assists an injured worker in returning to work by uncovering the hidden job market (i.e., unadvertised positions) and/or creating a job that matches the injured worker’s vocational skills and abilities.

 

Job Placement Services: A vocational service that assists an injured worker in returning to work by matching the injured worker’s vocational skills and abilities with jobs that may be available or modified for the injured worker.

 

Job Retention Plan: An individualized, written plan outlining the vocational rehabilitation services and activities authorized for the injured worker in order to retain the current employment.

 

Job Retention Services: Vocational rehabilitation services that a working injured worker may receive when the injured worker is experiencing a significant work-related problem as a direct result of the allowed conditions in the claim.

 

Medical Hold: A type of closure status that retains the injured worker’s eligibility for vocational rehabilitation for up to a maximum of two years. A medical hold is used when the injured worker is unable to actively participate in their vocational rehabilitation plan due to medical reasons.

 

Ohio Region: An area inside, or within 50 miles outside of, Ohio’s border.

 

Physician of Record (POR): One of seven provider types holding a current and valid certificate of licensure under the laws of the State of Ohio, or the equivalent under the laws of another state, and chosen by the injured worker to direct treatment. The seven types of qualifying providers are:

·        A doctor of chiropractic (D.C.);

·        A doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.) or doctor of medicine in dentistry (D.M.D.);

·        A doctor of mechanotherapy (D.M.);

·        A doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.);

·        A doctor of medicine (M.D.);

·        A doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.); and

·        A psychologist (Ph.D or PsyD).

 

Plan Identification Number: A sequential means of identifying a plan and plan amendment (e.g., the original plan would be number 1. If there is an amendment to the plan, it would be number 2).

 

Referral Date: The first documented date of receipt of a vocational rehabilitation referral by BWC or the managed care organization.

 

Return to Work (RTW) Hierarchy: The research-supported priority outcomes for RTW that minimizes disruption in the injured worker’s life and ensures the most cost-effective, efficient and permanent re-employment for that injured worker. The hierarchy in descending order of benefit is:

·        Same job, same employer: The injured worker returning to the original employer in the original job;

·        Different job, same employer: The injured worker returning to the original employer in a modified or different job;

·        Same job, different employer: The injured worker obtaining employment with a different employer in the same or related industry;

·        Different job, different employer: The injured worker obtaining employment with a different employer in another industry.

 

Source Claim: The original claim through which an injured worker is participating in a vocational rehabilitation plan.

 

Verification of Verbal Approval: The VRCM’s initials and date; used as an attestation that the VRCM has discussed plan services with the injured worker and that the injured worker agrees with the services.

 

Vocational Rehabilitation Case Manager (VRCM): A BWC-certified rehabilitation professional, selected by the injured worker and assigned to the claim by the managed care organization, who is responsible for developing and coordinating a variety of services with the objective of returning the injured worker to work.

 

Vocational Rehabilitation Plan: A term that references an assessment plan, a comprehensive vocational rehabilitation plan or a job-retention plan.

 

Vocational Rehabilitation Program Coordinator: A rehabilitation professional assigned by the managed care organization to direct the managed care organization’s management of vocational rehabilitation services.

 

Vocational Rehabilitation Services: A set of services offered to an eligible injured worker who, due to an industrial injury or occupational disease, needs assistance to return to work, retain employment or obtain new employment.