Return-to-Work
Program
State of Florida
Loss Prevention Program
Objectives

Define a return-to-work (RTW) program.

Describe the elements of a RTW program.

Know who is required to have a RTW program.

Recognize the benefits of a RTW program.

Identify the key RTW program participants and their
responsibilities.

Understand the difference between alternate and modified duty.
What is a RTW Program?
A RTW program is an employer program
designed to encourage and enable injured
workers to remain at or return to work within
the physical or mental restrictions established
by their authorized medical provider.
Elements of a RTW Program

RTW policy and training
Establish and communicate program objectives.

Program coordination
Monitor claims and communicate with the key participants.

Alternate and/or modified duty
Provide and notify the employee of alternate job tasks.
Statutory Requirements
Under Section 284.50(3), Florida Statutes, “The
Department of Financial Services and all
agencies that are provided workers’
compensation insurance coverage by the State
Risk Management Trust Fund and employ more
than 3,000 full time employees shall establish
and maintain return-to-work programs for
employees who are receiving workers’
compensation benefits.” click for link to FL
Statute 284.50
Benefits of a RTW Program

Lowered medical costs


Reduced indemnity
payments
Quicker claim
resolution

Improved employee
morale

Maintained work
conditioning

Less need to replace
employees or incur
additional payroll
When Do RTW Efforts Begin?
100
80
At 12 weeks, employees have
only a 50% chance of ever
returning to work.
60
40
20
0
0
4
8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52
Time away from work in weeks
© Copyright Webility Corporation 2006
% EVER RTW
Quick Quiz Question
What are 3 benefits of
have a RTW program in
place at your agency?
A. Higher medical costs.
B. Reduced indemnity payments.
C. Quicker claim resolution.
D. Additional legal costs
E. Maintaining employee morale.
F. Increased lost time claims.
RTW Program Participants

Injured employee

Supervisor

Workers’ compensation
coordinator

Medical case
management provider

Division of Risk
Management
Responsibilities of Program Roles

Employee

Medical Case Mgmt. Provider



attends appointments
agrees to program terms
agrees to alternate/modified duties

assigns nurse case manager
ensures proper medical treatment
documents DWC-25

Supervisor

Division of Risk Management

ensures restrictions are met
reports to WC coordinator

determines compensability
pays medical bills and indemnity benefits
assigns adjuster



Workers’ compensation
coordinator

evaluates level of RTW
communicates with employee and
other key RTW players




Quick Quiz Questions
1. Who determines compensability
and pays medical bills and
indemnity benefits?
2. Who must attend medical
appointments, agree to terms of
program, and perform alternate or
modified duties as assigned?
3. Who assigns a nurse case manager
to ensure proper medical treatment
and documentation of the DWC-25?
4. Who is responsible for evaluating
the level of work the injured
employee is able to complete and
communicating with key program
members?
5. Who must ensure that work duties
meet restrictions and limitations?
6. Who is responsible to work as a
team to ensure program success?
A. Workers’ comp. coordinator
B. Supervisor
C. Division of Risk Management
D. Medical case mgmt. provider
E. Employee
Alternate and Modified Duty
Alternate Duty
Modified Duty

Temporary duty away from
employee’s regular
responsibilities

Temporary duty within
employee’s regular
responsibilities

Within DWC-25 functional
limitations and restrictions

Within DWC-25 functional
limitations and restrictions
RTW Recap






What is a RTW program?
Describe elements of RTW.
Who is required to have a RTW program?
What are the benefits of RTW?
Who are the key RTW participants and what are
their responsibilities?
What is the difference between alternate & modified
duty?
Additional RTW Information
For a copy of the Return-to-Work Model Guidelines,
please visit (insert hyperlink to our website)
Please direct RTW questions to:
StateLossPreventionProgram@myfloridacfo.com