Section 4 The Injury Management Team Role of External Team Members The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 1 Section 4 The Injury Management Team – The Role of External Team Members 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Doctors in the workers compensation system 4.1.1 Company Doctor 4.1.2 Nominated Treating Doctor 4.1.3 Treating Specialists 4.1.4 Injury Management Consultant 4.1.5 Approved Medical Specialists 4.1.6 Medico-legal Specialists Accredited Rehabilitation Providers Workers Compensation Insurance Company Trouble-shooting Information References 4.1 Doctors in the workers compensation system WorkCover NSW 2 There are now many different types of doctors that an employee day course on may have to see if they sustain an injury at work and proceed with a “Introduction to workers compensation claim. This is explained in the chart following RTW Coordination” Section 4.1. 4.1.1 The Company Doctor It is not compulsory for an employer to engage the services of a company doctor, however in the meat processing industry, with its risks and frequency of injuries, it is common practice. Depending on the particular processor, the role of the company doctor may include: Pre-employment medical examinations Q fever vaccinations Immediate assessment of all or selected injuries (for example some processors have systems where any employee requiring medical attention is immediately taken to the company doctor, other processors send only employees who submit workers compensation claims to their company doctor) Treatment of all or selected injuries Communication with nominated treating doctor regarding treatment and injury management Assistance with certificates Regular review of injured employees Find out more about Q fever vaccinations by visiting the new website www.qfever.org The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 2 Assistance with disputes about injury management Assistance with worksite OHS. Medical Examinations at the Request of the Employer or Insurer After the employee has given notice of their injury, the employer and / or insurer may ask the employee to attend medical examinations. These examinations must be arranged at reasonable hours and within reasonable time frames. The employer or insurer must meet all reasonable costs, including any wages lost by the employee because of attendance at such examinations. The employee may claim reasonable travelling expenses to and from the examination and this may include a person to accompany the employee where he/she is not able to travel unescorted. Workers compensation benefits may be suspended if an employee does not attend or fails to co-operate at a properly arranged medical examination. 4.1.2 Nominated treating doctor The employee has the right to nominate their own treating doctor. However, they cannot shop around for doctors – once a doctor is chosen, then the employee must stay with that doctor. If they wish to change doctor, they need to first discuss this with the workers compensation insurance company. You can direct an injured employee to a doctor of YOUR choice The worker has the right to choose their own nominated treating doctor but they cannot shop around – look for the reference in your insurer’s Injury Management Program The nominated treating doctor is usually a general practitioner or practice group of practitioners, responsible for: Completing WorkCover Medical Certificates Arranging appropriate treatment Specifying work restrictions and advising on the suitability of duties offered by the employer Providing information to the insurer and employer in relation to IM and RTW plans for injured employees Reviewing the progress of recovery of injured employees. Nominated treating doctors are expected to talk with employers, insurance companies and other injury management personnel about how to actually organise for an injured employee to return to work. There is a section on the WorkCover Medical Certificate which the injured employee signs to give permission for the doctor to discuss their injury management with other parties. The RTW coordinator would contact the nominated treating doctor: if an employee handed in a WorkCover Medical Certificate for time off work If an employee handed in a WorkCover Medical Certificate for suitable duties The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 3 If there were concerns or suspicions about a workers compensation claim. Often nominated treating doctors are unaware of the details of a meat processing business or the range of activities that occur there. If they only have the employee’s version of how the accident happened and what kind of work they do, they may take longer to send the employee back to work. A quick call from the RTW coordinator to the doctor to describe the job which the employee usually does and to ask the doctor to fill in a certificate sending the employee back to work as soon as the employee has recovered sufficiently, helps to give the doctor a fuller picture. The RTW coordinator especially needs to let the doctor know if suitable duties are available. Doctors are small businesses too! Employ various strategies for contacting them The doctor will describe the employee’s physical restrictions, which will help in the decision about suitable duties. Contacting the nominated treating doctor can sometimes be tricky but is fortunately becoming easier as more and more nominated treating doctors realise their role in injury management. It is a good idea for the RTW coordinator to call the doctor and talk to the secretary or receptionist. By explaining the role of the RTW coordinator and concern for the injured employee, it is possible to arrange a convenient time to discuss the case with the nominated treating doctor. If the RTW coordinator has persistent trouble getting through to the doctor, contact the claims officer or the injury management adviser at your insurance company and they will call for you. 4.1.3 Treating Specialists Sometimes a nominated treating doctor will refer the injured employee for more specialist treatment from other doctors. These can include orthopaedic specialists, rheumatologists, neurologists, psychiatrists and many more. For a list of IMCs contact your insurer or WorkCover on 13 10 50. Specialists usually write to the nominated treating doctor, and other parties, summarising the treatment and progress of the injured employee. When this happens, the nominated treating doctor (general practitioner) usually continues to supply the WorkCover Medical Certificates, on advice from the treating specialist/s. Sometimes the The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 4 specialists certify too. All the above reasons for the RTW coordinator to communicate with the nominated treating doctor also apply to the treating specialists. The difference is that often the communication from the RTW coordinator will be by fax or letter rather than telephone. This is changing as the teamwork approach to injury management gains popularity. Make sure your insurer sends you the IMC reports. 4.1.4 Injury Management Consultant When there is a disagreement over the suitability of duties offered by an employer, the insurer or the employer may engage the services of an Injury Management Consultant (IMC). These consultants are medical practitioners approved by WorkCover NSW specifically for the purpose of reviewing an employee’s fitness for suitable employment and the availability of suitable employment at the workplace. An IMC's role is consultative. They will contact the employee’s nominated treating doctor to discuss the situation, with the aim of reaching an agreed course of action. Now attached to Workers Compensation Commission, the AMS’s give conclusive opinions on permanent impairment Reports by an IMC are intended to be freely available to the employer, insurer, the injured employee and the employee’s nominated treating doctor. However, the RTW coordinator may need to set up a procedure with their insurer to obtain a copy of an IMC’s report and provide the injured employee with it. Send a fax/letter/email to your insurer to obtain their agreement to provide these reports. Referral to an IMC should be considered when any of the following situations arise: confused goals complexity of injury or workplace environment poor communication between insurer/employer and nominated treating doctor perceived conflict between the nominated treating doctor’s recommendations and the workplace requirements disagreement about the suitability of duties offered to an injured employee. 4.1.5 Approved Medical Specialists An Approved Medical Specialist (AMS) is a senior practising specialist with a sound knowledge of the NSW Workers The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 5 Compensation system and workplace based injury management. AMS’s are attached to the Workers Compensation Commission to assess an employee when there is a medical dispute. Medical disputes may include the employee's condition, the employee’s fitness for employment and the level of permanent impairment. The AMS will review the case, perhaps examine the employee, and issue a written “certificate” of their opinions that is binding and conclusive. 4.1.6 Medico-legal Specialists These are the “second opinion” specialists used by both the employee’s solicitor and the employer’s insurer to gain another opinion on the type and extent of the employee’s injury. The use of Approved Medical Specialists by the Workers Compensation Commission is intended to halt the escalation of “second opinions” that tend to occur when a claim is disputed or has legal involvement. The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 6 Treating Specialists Nominated treating doctor Nominated by the employee Provides treatment Arranges specialist referral Certifies fitness for work Certifies suitable duties Helps develop injury management plan Communicates with employee, employer and insurance company PROBLEMS ABOUT RETURN TO WORK MEDICAL DISPUTES Approved MedicalSpecialist Injury Management Consultants TREATMENT T Referred to by nominated treating doctor Include orthopaedic specialists, rheumatologists, neurologists, psychiatrists and many more. Provide specialist treatment Communicate to nominated treating doctor Part of the injury management team SECOND OPINIONS The Company Doctor Pre-employment medical examinations Approved by WorkCover Immediate assessment NSW of all or selected injuries Attached to the Workers Treatment if employee Compensation agrees Commission Communication with Paid for by workers nominated treating compensation insurance doctor company Assistance with Provides opinion on certificates medical disputes Regular review of injured Issues certificates on employees permanent impairment Assistance with worksite that are binding and OHS conclusive The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members OHS Approved by WorkCover NSW Paid for by workers compensation insurance company Helps resolve problems about whether the duties offered are suitable or whether suitable duties can be made available Will examine employee if necessary Independent Medical Assessors (second opinion doctors) Used by insurers and workers’ solicitors and paid for by them Used to gather more information about the medical condition and treatment to help with liability and permanent impairment decisions 7 4.2 Accredited Rehabilitation Providers WorkCover accredited rehabilitation providers are health professionals who provide specialised assistance to employers to assist injured employees to return to work. Providers are made up of multidisciplinary teams of health professionals (usually includes occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, rehabilitation counsellors) and are accredited by WorkCover NSW. Fees charged by providers are part of the claims cost and are generally paid by the insurer. Lists of providers change every 2 months. A current list of accredited providers is available on the WorkCover website Providers are often engaged by small meat processors who do not have a RTW coordinator or by larger meat processors to help in more complex cases, such as: to ensure that injured employees can safely perform the requirements of their work duties to assist where there are industrial relations, or human resource issues to arrange appropriate retraining and alternative employment when the employee is unable to return to his/her pre-injury job. Bindaree Beef Pty Ltd in Inverell NSW has the following criteria for the RTW coordinator deciding to refer to a rehabilitation provider: The recovery process will be of a long duration. Permanent impairment or dysfunction. The recurrence of an injury / illness. Injury / illness which results in lost time of three weeks or more. Factors unrelated to medical condition impeding recovery Poor reaction to injury Alternative duties and / or phase into work needed Career redirection necessary Recurrence of injury on return to work Require ergonomic assessment of workstation / duties Need for independent consultation / communication with treating health practitioners and doctors. Examples and definitions of the services of accredited rehabilitation providers are provided in the following list. Although some of them sound quite complicated, they are professional terms for specific services. Providers will assess the injured employee and provide a Rehabilitation Plan of action, listing the services needed to return the injured employee to work. Providers can develop RTW Plans as part of their Rehabilitation Plans.[To be clarified] Bindaree Beef have well defined criteria for using accredited rehabilitation providers. Put in sample rehab plan? The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 8 Many people are able to refer injured employees to a provider including the employee themselves, employers, insurers, doctors, unions and solicitors. However, in order for costs to be reimbursed as part of the claim the insurer must approve the referral. Employers must indicate, as part of their RTW Program, at least one preferred provider and assist them to develop expert knowledge of the employer’s workplace, the return to work procedures and the available suitable duties. The selection of preferred providers should take place following consultation between employers and employees, for example via an OHS Committee. The effectiveness of the provider's performance should be evaluated. WorkCover NSW, as part of the accreditation process, sets standards for occupational rehabilitation service provision which allows their activities to be monitored. WorkCover completes regular audits of providers and compares their costs and outcomes. Employers, too, can evaluate their own provider(s)' performance. The following sample service agreement sets standards that both the provider and the employer must achieve to work effectively together. When the accredited rehabilitation provider contacts you make sure you: Service agreements are a good way to monitor the provider’s performance 1. Agree on the goal of the injury management, for example, will the injured employee recover from the injury or will there be long term complications? 2. Agree about suitable duties. The provider may be able to help you find suitable duties for the injured employee, however, you know more about your business. Remember suitable duties are for a short time only. 3. Agree what to do if there are no reasonable suitable duties. Sometimes it is very difficult to find work for an injured employee. If the employee cannot come back to work on your site, what is the provider going to do to help you keep your workers compensation costs down? (Remember every day that the employee is off work is adding to the costs of workers compensation). Extract from the 2 day WorkCover course “Introduction to Return-to-Work Coordination” 4. Receive copies of plans and reports. Providers must write plans and progress reports about each injured employee they work The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 9 with. 5. Keep in touch with the injured employee. No matter how helpful the provider is, do not expect them to be successful if you do not stay involved. 6. Review the success after each case. Ask the employee and their supervisor if they were satisfied with the provider. Complaints about providers should first be discussed with the provider and then referred to WorkCover's Injury Management Branch on (02) 9370 5319 The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 10 Examples and Definitions of Accredited Rehabilitation Provider Services Functional assessment - the objective measurement of the injured employee's physiological functioning to identify work capabilities. This service is only to be used for objective and verifiable tests. Workplace modification - the actual cost of modifying the workstation or equipment used by the employee, including the cost of aids, appliances, apparatus or other materials to assist the employee to remain at work or return to work as soon as possible following injury. Work conditioning - this is an individually prescribed, work-oriented process. It involves the employee in simulated or actual work tasks and activities that are structured and graded to progressively increase physical capacity, tolerance, stamina, endurance and productivity, with the goal of assisting the employee to remain at work or to return to suitable work. Functional education - the education of the injured employee about maintaining good physical habits to strengthen the body and/or mind to avoid re-injury. Job/workplace analysis and/or assessment - this includes a visit to the workplace by the provider to meet with the employer, the injured employee and the return to work coordinator or supervisor to identify suitable duties. It also may include advice regarding modification of either the workstation or equipment used by an employee, or the provision of aids, appliances, apparatus or other materials. Occupational rehabilitation counselling - the provision of counselling services to the employee throughout the course of occupational rehabilitation, focusing on all of the employee's needs. Counselling will be aimed at achieving the employee's maintenance at work or an early return to suitable work. Advice or assistance to the employee in obtaining vocational re-education - includes assistance to the employee in obtaining appropriate vocational re-education relevant to the identified employment goal. Vocational re-education - the cost of vocational re-education or training course/s approved by WorkCover NSW and including textbooks or other needs which may be part of the course requirements. Vocational retraining should build on the employee’s existing skills and experience. Vocational Assessment – an objective assessment of the employee’s transferable vocational skills to determine appropriate employment goals. Advice or assistance in job seeking – involves specific training in job seeking skills such as writing job applications, resume writing, interview, role-play and personal presentation. The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 11 Sample Service Agreement Between Occupational Rehabilitation Provider (XORP) and Meat Processing Company _______________ The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 12 XORP Service Standards 1. Pre-Referral The employment of appropriate, professionally trained and qualified staff Commitment to return to work process as a goal of the injury management process The ability to achieve early return to work, the best level of productivity and durability of outcomes for each injured employee A commitment to early intervention An established consultative practice in relation to the decision making process and managing cases Frequent communication and reports to all parties involved Flexibility in provision of services and programs Review of service provision and case-management through internal processes 2. Referral - Occupational Rehabilitation Services Specific staff members assigned to _____________’s portfolio in order to co-ordinate the injury management process through XORP. This will enhance understanding and familiarity between the two organisations so that pragmatic, realistic occupational planning and advice can be provided Nominated XORP staff - ________________, Rehabilitation Consultant Alternative Contact - ________________, Rehabilitation Consultant Initiation of action will commence within 24 hours of receipt of referral Injured employees will be informed of their rights and responsibilities in relation to rehabilitation and the consequences of non-participation XORP will not undertake the provision of any service without prior discussion and approval being obtained from the designated Return-to-Work Coordinator and/or the authorised insurer. This approval will initially be sought on the "Request for Occupational Rehabilitation Services" form The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 13 Complete Initial Assessment within 5 days of worker contact If a work site visit is required then this will be arranged at the convenience of the RTW Coordinator within 3 days of an assessment of the injured employee Summary Progress reports will be provided on a monthly basis or as negotiated, and at other appropriate times when particular important events occur such as in preparation for claims review meetings Provision of a Cease Occupational Rehabilitation Report upon case closure 3. Ongoing Consultation with the workplace before critical decisions are made Regular and frequent contact with the injured employee's health professionals as necessary in relation to the development and review of job offers, return to work strategies, worksite assessments, etc XORP to involve the injured employee’s RTW coordinator or other designated person in the return to work process. Assistance with the completion of Return-to-Work Plan will be provided if required Consideration of vocational alternatives and retraining options only after the following have each been examined - return to pre-injury job, pre-injury job with modifications/alterations and alternate job with _________________. Regular face to face contact with the injured employee (where appropriate) Recommendation of referral to other providers/ medical resources in a cost effective and timely manner when the facility/services is not available through XORP XORP staff to keep ___________________ staff well informed of legislative procedural and policy changes Availability to attend _________________ forums to promote the concept of occupational injury management and return to work 4. Review XORP will be available to attend case reviews with the nominated RTW coordinator Opportunity will be provided for the review of this agreement by both parties The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 14 This is an agre eme nt bet wee n the man age men t and emp loye es of: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ and The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 15 XORP In entering into this agreement, all parties respect the confidentiality of the employee’s personal and medical details. Signed on behalf of Company Name: ______________________________ Title: ________________________________ Signature: ________________________________ Date: ________________________________ Signed on behalf of XORP ________________________________ Title: ________________________________ Signature: ________________________________ Date: ________________________________ 4.3 Workers Compensation Insurance Company Name your workers compensation insurance company: …………………………………………………………. There are currently 8 insurers in NSW and although WorkCover The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 16 NSW regulates the price they charge for workers compensation insurance, employers can shop around for service. See the following guide to choosing an insurer. Shop around for service Ask how they will help to keep your meat processing plant premium costs as low as possible. For example, some have specialised knowledge of the meat processing industry, others provide specific services, for example, safety audits, training/seminars. There are different personnel within each insurer who undertake different tasks regarding an employer’s workers compensation account. If you have a query it is most important that you direct it to the person responsible. 1. The account / business manager - can assist with queries about premium calculation, underwriting and general performance of the account. Does not usually deal with individual claims. Name of your account manager: …………………………………. 2. The claims officer - handles each workers compensation claim, processes payments, makes decisions about liability. Name of your claims officer: ………………………………………. 3. The injury management adviser - develops injury management plans for injured employees, helps employers with decisions about providers, doctor communication, the return to work aspects of injury management. Name of the IM adviser: …………………………………………… Many meat processors use an insurance broker. Make sure they have completed the 3 day accredited National Insurance Broker Association course on workers compensation. Name of your broker: ………………………………………………… Tasks of the insurer: Prepare an injury management plan for the injured employee Pay benefits – from 1 January 2002 insurers are to begin paying an employee within 7 days of the first notification of injury The “Benefits Guide” WorkCover NSW is updated each April and The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 17 Conduct investigations Determine liability of the claim Estimate the cost of claims Approve rehabilitation plans of accredited rehabilitation providers Following is a list of benefits that an injured employee may be entitled to. It is the responsibility of the insurance company to calculate the amounts and notify the employee. However, information on the basic wages on which the insurer does the calculations are provided by the employer, so make sure that your payroll system understands workers compensation. October and contains information about employee entitlements. Check out the new “Claims Estimation Manual” on the WorkCover website Make sure that your payroll system understands workers compensation Injury Management Plan After the insurer has been notified by the RTW coordinator that an employee is injured and cannot return to their pre-injury duties within 7 days, the insurer has 3 days in which to make contact with the RTW coordinator, the injured employee and the nominated treating doctor. The purpose of this early contact is to obtain information which will enable the insurer to develop an Injury Management Plan for the employee. This plan will outline all the services which will be required to return the injured employee to the workplace, including proposed treatment and the offer of suitable duties. The insurer must advise both the RTW coordinator and the employee of the contents of the IM Plan. They are then obliged to comply with obligations imposed by the IM Plan once it has been developed. There is no prescribed format for an IM Plan. Ask your insurer to show you one. Develop a team approach with your workers compensation insurance company. Know who to contact and let them know when employees are injured and what you can do together to return them to work. Ask questions about what an IM Plan is, what is suggested regarding treatment, rehabilitation assistance, what the goal is. Remember the goal should be early and effective return to work. Insurers consider their “client” primarily to be the employer. Tasks of the employer: The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 18 Notify the insurer within the statutory timeframes, that is, within 48 hours for a significant injury and within 7 days for other injuries Organise the paperwork on the day of injury. “Provisional liability payments” means that insurers must begin paying the employee within 7 days of being notified of an injury. Make sure you help the insurer to make a correct decision about beginning benefits by sending a completed accident investigation report, a completed claim form, a WorkCover medical certificate and any other information immediately Assist in the preparation of the IM Plan Develop RTW plans and forward them immediately to your insurer Arrange a regular claims review meeting (eg. every 3 months) Ask how claims costs and time off work will affect your premium Take an active interest in your claims - advise the insurer which employees have returned to work, which ones have resigned and which employees have completed suitable duties Advise the insurer of feedback from employees regarding medical appointments arranged by the insurer, eg rude or disbelieving doctors Be mindful of the workload of the claims officer Develop a safe system – preventing accidents is one sure-fire way of keeping insurance costs down! Stay informed – ask the insurance company to send you written information about workers compensation, or invite you to update seminars or training. The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 19 Use the following as a guide to choose a workers compensation insurance company and /or get better service from the one you have chosen. Does the account manager give you clear information about how your premium is calculated? Does the account manager help you find ways to reduce workers compensation costs? Does the account manager offer any help or ideas for making your work-site a safer place to work? For example, does the insurance company provide a safety audit service of your worksite? Does the account manager give you periodic reports on claims and claim costs? Does the account manager encourage you to report any accidents immediately? Is there one claims officer handling your account? Does the claims officer call you regularly and give you feedback about each claim? Does the claims officer encourage you to call to discuss claims? Does the insurance company send you written information about workers compensation, for example, posters, claim forms? Does the insurance company invite you to conferences / seminars on workers compensation? Does the claims officer investigate questionable claims, seek your input and keep you informed? Does the claims officer explain to you how decisions are made to accept or dispute a claim? Does the insurance company send you written information about injury management, for example, their Injury Management Program? Is there an injury management adviser you can talk to about injured employees? Does the injury management adviser help in arranging suitable duties, for example, organise a referral to an accredited rehabilitation provider? Does your insurance company save you money? The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 20 Employee Benefits Source: Introduction to RTW Coordination WorkCover NSW An injured employee may be eligible for all or some of the following benefits: Provisional payments Section 60 payments: Medical or Related Treatment Occupational Rehabilitation Service Ambulance Service Hospital Treatment Section 59 payments: Medical and related treatment Occupational rehabilitation – there are 15 accredited rehabilitation provider services Section 66: Lump sums for permanent loss and impairment of parts of the body (maximum $200,000 for injuries after Jan 2002) Note: There are new WorkCover Guides for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 1st Edition, Dec 2001, which describe the new method for calculating permanent impairment based on the “whole person” concept. For more information view the Guides on the WorkCover website. Section 67: Lump sums for pain and suffering (max $50,000 for injuries after Jan 2002) Section 74: Damage to Artificial Limbs (etc) Section 75: Damage to Clothing Sections 25, 26, 27 and 28: Death benefits/funeral expenses Sections 36, 37, 38, 40: Weekly Benefits for Wage Loss Commutations Section 53: Vocational re-education, vocational retraining, work aids and equipment, and work trials Section 54: Second Injury Schemes Common law Legal Aid The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 21 4.4 Trouble-shooting Try these questions to see how much you know about the role of the external team members. The answers are in this Section! 1. State the key functions of each doctor who has status under the NSW workers compensation system ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… 2. Which doctor is responsible for approving RTW Plans? ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… 3. What information is required from the nominated treating doctor when compiling the RTW Plan? ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… 4. List 3 reasons why you would refer an injured employee to an accredited rehabilitation provider. ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… 5. What are some of the measures that can be used to assess rehabilitation provider performance? ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… 6. How do you know if your insurance company is giving you good service? ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… The Injury Management Resource Pack 2nd Edition –April 2002 – Meat and Livestock Australia Section 4 Injury Management Team and External Team Members 22