ReEmployAbility Blog

Time flies when you’re having fun!

Frances Ford — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:38:27 +0000

Can you believe that we are already hurtling into the last week of January 2012? As we proceed with lighting speed through this New Year, already exciting things are happening that I am anxious to share.

First and foremost, 2012 is ReEmployAbility’s ninth year in business!! We are so thankful to have the support and partnerships with such great customers who have helped contribute to our longevity and continuing success. And 2012 is looking to be a banner year to launch some very exciting processes which are designed to help our customers better analyze costs savings.

We have begun to incorporate ODG (Occupational Disability Guidelines) return to work data in savings reports for our Transition2Work program. By mapping national return to work statistics to individual claims experience, a carrier or employer will be able to compare how well their program is performing to the rest of the industry. This methodology further validates the dollars saved by using a transitional duty program which places injured employees in non-profit organizations when they are not able to return to the job site. The preliminary reports are indicating dramatic savings when using the Transition2Work Program.

ReEmployAbility is also excited to launch our new benchmark and performance outcomes reports for customers to easily reflect their RTW statistics, results and savings.

As the Transition2Work program continues to expand to more and more employers nationwide, (over 400 employers currently use the program) the national data being reviewed will far extend beyond the savings analysis. All customers will benefit from the shared experiences of reviewing injury types by ICD-9 codes, industry classifications, number of lost time days experience before and after program participation as well as drilling down to employee behavior and results.

These are exciting advances we will continue to enhance going forward this year. Of course, adding this valuable resource to our service would not be possible without the collaborative input from our clients. And for that, we are truly grateful.

ReEmployAbility is proud to announce its certification as Minority Business Enterprise.

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ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.

Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.

Our clients say it best…

Abby Torres — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:37:02 +0000

“This is a win win program. [The claimant] is a natural with people so we greatly benefit from his respect of elderly, his sincerity, his humor and his work ethic. Thank you for sending him our way!”

From: Mary Geil, Volunteer Supervisor – WesleyLife (Not-For-Profit Organization)

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ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.

Adding a Boost of Enthusiasm to your Worker’s Volunteering Experience

Abby Torres — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:59:06 +0000

After a work-related injury, starting a new placement at a volunteer organization while recovering can be intimidating and overwhelming. ReEmployAbility understands and acknowledges those concerns, which is exactly why we’ve developed a new introductory brochure. The brochure explains the benefits of volunteering and how the Transition2Work program will help injured workers recover sooner while gaining new skills and a better sense of value.

ReEmployAbility believes in the benefits of volunteering and the power of a positive attitude. With a better understanding of these benefits, employees are more likely to participate in the program, in turn increasing the return-to-work success rate.

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ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.

Celebrating 100 Years of Comp!

Abby Torres — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:45:38 +0000

It was great seeing everyone at the 2011 WCCP Conference last month! We enjoyed celebrating 100 years of Workers’ Compensation among the best in the industry!

Right to Left: Mary Bennett, Debra Livingston, Corie Wider

Please contact us for more information on how ReEmployAbility can assist with your Return to Work needs! (866) 663-9880

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ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.

There’s a new sheriff in town: 3 things carriers should know about the Florida Statute Changes effective 7/1/2011.

Frances Ford — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:49:20 +0000

Confusion continues for carriers on the new statute wording that changed the game for re-employment services in Florida. Some carriers discontinued filing forms when notified the Bureau of Re-employment and Rehabilitation (BRRS) was stripped of its regulatory powers and lost 2/3’s of its funding.

But, non-compliance could be costly. Willfully ignoring a statutory requirement could cost carriers up to 100k in penalties on audit.

Here are three things carriers should review very carefully:

Form Filing Compliance Remains: The Re-employment Status Reports (DWC-22) are still required but they don’t go to the state. Now they must be sent to the claimant.

New Sheriff with Penalty Power: Regulatory powers were transferred to Department of Financial Services (DFS) and until new rules are written to enforce the 7/1/2011 changes, carriers are wise to keep all compliance measures in place. This includes the timely payment rules for DWC-21’s. The electronic filing of DWC-21 to Department of Education is over but DFS will take over audit and enforcement duties. Best not to take chances.

Retraining Budget Cuts Means New Game Plan For Adjusters:   The BRRS is in turmoil and carriers requesting state retraining services should anticipate denials. The bureau was inefficient and ineffective before and they won’t improve with less money. Obtaining a re-employment assessment first that outlines re-employment or training objectives is money well spent. Seeking state re-training assistance without one is unwise.

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ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.

Florida Permanent Total Disability Decision substantiates claimant’s reemployment efforts remain a factor in pre-2003 law cases.

Frances Ford — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:39:38 +0000

In a ruling dated June 20, 2011, claimant Frances Williamson, a 62 year old licensed practical nurse (LPN) who was injured on 5/23/2001 was denied permanent total disability benefits for voluntarily limiting her income. Having received SSDI for 8 years Ms Williamson testified she was completely computer literate when questioned about her vocational skills. However, when the carrier provided vocational services to assist in her employment search, Ms Williamson told ReEmployAbility’s vocational counselor she did not have computer skills and did not apply for jobs on-line as instructed. Instead Ms Williamson sent her resume by regular mail to the hiring employers provided by ReEmployAbility. The JCC ruling states that when ReEmployAbility’s vocational expert contacted one of the employers, they indicated Ms Williamson’s resume did not contain a phone number or e-mail address and provided personal information including her age and healthcare restrictions.

In reaching her decision Judge Beck indicated the “employer/carrier (E/C) has established defenses that claimant retains a substantial earning capacity; that she has failed to test her employability or exhaust all rehabilitative avenues; and that she is voluntarily limiting her income.”  (Read final order of Williamson v Manatee Rural Health)

ReEmployAbility provides the right tools for today’s job market to help injured workers – providing online job application assistance. ReEmployAbility creates professional e-mail accounts for injured workers to receive electronic job notifications and employment application tracking by a vocational professional.   To learn more, contact us at 866-663-9880 or visit www.REAJobSource.com.

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ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.

Florida’s Bureau of Rehabilitation and Reemployment Service No Longer has Regulatory Authority of Vocational Providers

Abby Torres — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:29:00 +0000

Following a Senate inquiry to the practices and programs administered by the Bureau of Rehabilitation and Reemployment Services (BRRS) under the Department of Education (DOE), Florida passed Senate Bill 2150, rewriting the worker’s compensation statute pertaining to reemployment services of injured workers. Florida Statute Section 440.491 changes will become effective July 1, 2011.

The most dramatic change is that the BRRS no longer has authority or oversight of vocational professionals or the ability to promulgate rules or forms for carriers or rehabilitation providers. All authority has been transferred to the Division of Financial Services (DFS).

In a BRRS Bulletin Alert issued June 1, 2011 to carriers, self-insured, TPA’s and QRP’s, Bureau Chief, Reggie Watkins appears to warn carriers that the deregulation is harmful to carriers because the Senate Bill removed the state’s regulatory authority over “improper practices” performed by rehabilitation providers. In fact, the statutory revisions requires all rehabilitation providers to be licensed by one of the nationally recognized credentialing entities; CRRN, CRC, CDMS, CCM, CVE or COHN. These organizations are much more effective in monitoring the activities of the vocational community. They require extensive continuing educational requirements, provide ethical practice guidelines and specify activities that would disqualify an individual’s certification by the credentialing entity.

Other major changes include;

Carriers will no longer receive vocational invoices through the BRRS web portal as it will officially be shut down as of June 3, 2011.

Carriers will no longer report their voluntary service activity to the department, or wages of the employee. This would include no longer having to report, or electronically report, DWC-21’s and DWC-22’s to the department.

DWC-22 Reemployment Status Reviews forms will be revised by rule by the Department of Financial Services and a copy will be required to go to the injured worker

Training and Education services available through BRRS will be significantly reduced due to budget and personnel cuts and carriers will need to utilize private vocational services to obtain reemployment objectives

Notification of training and education benefits to injured workers can be communicated in any format desired by the carrier.

To read the entire Senate Bill and statutory changes as well as the BRRS Bulletin, please go to www.reemployability.com/industry-news.

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ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.

ReEmployAbility helps Westfield Insurance to Launch Innovative Volunteer Program to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Costs

Abby Torres — Wed, 25 May 2011 16:05:36 +0000

Injured Employees Avoid Out-of-Work Blues and Return to Work Sooner

ReEmployAbility, Inc. is proud to have been selected as the return to work service partner for Westfield Insurance. Westfield will utilize ReEmployAbility’sTransition2Work program, branded as WesWorks^sm, to provide transitional, temporary positions with non-profit agencies for injured workers who are unable to return to their normal job duties. This resource will be available specifically for employers that cannot accommodate an on-site transitional program. Through WesWorks, Westfield will provide employers with extra savings by reducing indemnity costs and keeping injured workers motivated to return to their previous jobs.

“We are excited about our partnership with Westfield. We believe that Westfield’s commitment to extending this program to their commercial policyholders and their collaborative efforts to implement the program nationwide will result in great success,” Debra Livingston and Frances Ford, founders of ReEmployAbility, said.

Founded in 2003, ReEmployAbility offers a unique approach to reemployment, specializing in Workers’ Compensation claim needs. With strategic relationships throughout the United States, ReEmployAbility is able to provide return to work services nationally, coordinating Transition2Work volunteer placements with the American Cancer Society, United Way, American Red Cross, YMCA, community food banks, and many more agencies nationwide.

In business for more than 160 years, Westfield Insurance provides commercial and personal insurance in 20 active states and surety services to customers in 31 states. Westfield is one of the nation’s 50 largest property and casualty insurance groups, represented by a network of over 1,100 independent insurance agencies. Westfield Bank provides banking solutions for businesses and individuals, and Westfield Services provides service and training support for independent insurance agencies. Learn more about Westfield Insurance at www.WestfieldInsurance.com.

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ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.

Florida’s Return-to-Work Services . . . a thing of the past?

Frances Ford — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:15:01 +0000

As of July 1, 2011, the Bureau of Rehabilitation and Reemployment Services (BRRS) will reduce its staff from 82 to 27 workers due to the 2011 budget cuts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.

Insurance companies wishing to refer injured workers to the state for a vocational evaluation will soon find out that the chances of getting a state funded evaluation may be hard to come by if not impossible. Vocational counselors around the state are already being notified that their services will no longer be needed.

Based on case law, carriers have the burden of proof when determining if an injured worker is entitled to permanent total disability benefits. Florida courts also direct carriers to consider both vocational factors and physical factors when assessing if an injured worker is capable of performing at least sedentary work within a 50 mile radius of their home.   Carriers will need to rely on private vocational providers to assess the injured worker and perform any return to work services to meet this burden.

Adjusters sometimes get confused on the statutory language of F.S. 440.491(b) which first says they must discontinue reemployment services after the first $2500 and refer the employee to the department (BRRS). Yet, the very next sentence in the statute states carriers may voluntarily provide services more frequently than required in the reemployment section. Thank goodness for that – because the chances of getting state assistance for an injured worker will be extremely difficult at best.

Contact Frances Ford at ReEmployAbility to find out more about re-employment services for your worker’s compensation claim needs.

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ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.

Improving Sense of Value, One Placement at a Time

Abby Torres — Mon, 09 May 2011 13:54:55 +0000

“[The volunteer] has been exceptional. Having her at the front desk has been invaluable. The Mid-South Chapter has recently assisted a record number of families that have experienced fires and now are facing potential need for sheltering and family assistance due to severe weather, including flooding. [The volunteer] has helped to call out and schedule volunteers for 24 hour shelter shifts and has answered calls from those in need of assistance. She has become a valued asset to our team. [The volunteer] is compassionate to the families that have lost everything and efficiently see that they are served promptly. She is absolutely reliable, and she is always careful not to aggravate her injury.

We are exceedingly grateful that ReEmployAbility has been willing to share [the volunteer] with us and so appreciate the professional service. I can’t think of a more productive or meaningful way to fill one’s time away from the job. We appreciate what you do.”

From: Jeana Bailley, Director Volunteer Services at the Mid-South Chapter of American Red Cross

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ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.