Objective: To encourage and promote RTWs within vocational rehab programs through appropriate review of and payment for services.
-          If voc case manager accompanies an Injured Worker to the POR, the tracking must include what was accomplished at the POR’s visit.
-          Voc Case Manager will be reimbursed for the writing of a correspondence, but will not be reimbursed for sending and copying that correspondence.
-          Reviewing Documentation for/with signatures is not a billable service.
-          Case staffing within own company is not billable.
-          Job Development Specialists is able to uncover the hidden job market, and work with employers to create a job for the IW. The method(s) of development must be stated on tracking sheet/progress report. .  (W0659)
-          Job Placement Specialists research advertised job leads to meet the IW’s restrictions and goals. The resources accessed  must be stated on tracking sheet/progress report. . (W0660)
-          Job Placement and Development Services must be individually billed.   Bundling these services into one date of service will result in denial of the bill.

Please note that these guidelines were presented to the MCO’s during a BWC mandatory Medical Policy Update training November 30, 2011.

Columbus Functional Capacity Evals and Work Conditioning and Work Hardening Evaluations.

Sometimes voc rehab through Ohio BWC is just not enough for an Injured Worker seeking training and different job goals.  Ohio BWC voc rehab participants must follow BWC guidelines.  When a client, patient express interest in training, BVR may be a good option.

"Independence for Ohioans with physical or mental disabilities is the mission that unites all aspects of the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (RSC)."

If you are in Northeast Ohio, contact BVR at the Lakewood Office.

Cleveland  
Traci Conkling
14650 Detroit Ave., Ste. 300
Lakewood, OH 44107
Voice  216.227.3250
TTY  216.227.3292
FAX  216.227.3293
Toll-free  866.325.0026
Serving: Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain

To find other office and locations visit http://www.rsc.ohio.gov/index/about-us/contact-an-office/bvr-offices.

Our case managers carefully review & consider all available relevant information, such as injured workers’ physical abilities and limitations, job history, wage history and need for retraining.  They may also order additional evaluative services if necessary, such as an FCE (functional capacities evaluation and/or vocational evaluation) in order to recommend the most effective rehabilitation services. 

Although, the last step in the vocational rehabilitation process is usually job placement and on-the-job-follow up, before injured workers can participate in job placement it is imperative that they have a clearly defined feasible vocational goal based on their skills and /or training, physical abilities, wage expectations, and economic conditions.  If injured workers are unable to return to any of their previous occupations, the IVS case managers offer all available appropriate services to help injured workers decide their new vocational goal and prepare for such goal.

Case managers have to follow applicable rules and laws and accordingly work together with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) and managed care organizations who issue approvals for all services that the case managers may recommend.   The IVS case managers take great care in providing all necessary information and justification that the BWC and MCOs may need in order to approve the recommended services. 

Sheakley UniComp emailed case managers updating their document and report submission process.  For more information, check out the MCO Updates Page.

The IVS policy is to advocate for the best interest of injured workers.  We work with all injured workers who are interested & able to participate in a vocational rehabilitation program, and who meet the legal eligibility criteria for vocational rehabilitation regardless of the severity of their impairment or any other challenges in addition to their injury. 

The purpose of vocational rehabilitation services is to help injured workers return to work either with their original employer or new employer after a period of work absence due to their job injury.  In most instances injured workers experience permanent physical limitations that need to be considered when trying to return to work.  Our case managers utilize all available resources to help injured workers to overcome their physical limitations.  The examples of services that are frequently used are physical therapy, training, counseling, job placement advocacy, work site accommodations, and many others.

by K. M. Eakin.