VocWorks’ MDOS program has been a successful transitional duty program for hundreds of our clients across the country. Our unique return to work alternative program has reduced the cost and duration of lost-time incidences. In fact, the testimonials below testify to the success of the program.

“The Modified Duty Off-Site (MDOS) Program is a unique program offered by VocWorks/CareWorks USA to assist us in returning our employees back to work following an on-the-job injury. With this being the first opportunity for our organization to provide mod- ified duty to our employees, the VocWorks/CareWorks USA staff was very helpful in assisting us in developing guidelines and initiating the program. The dedicated Off-Site Placement Coordinator secured placement of our employees promptly, and the hands-on coordination from the Nurse Case Manager was vital to provide a team coordination of the process. I have found the VocWorks/CareWorks USA team to be very responsive to our needs when issues arise. For us, the placement of our employees with a non-profit organization is a win-win sit- uation and the non-profit organizations are very happy to have an extra set of hands for help. I would recommend this program to any employer who recognizes that transitional return to work programs offer both physical and mental therapeutic benefits that accelerate the reha- bilitative process for an injured worker. We have seen this happen with the help of the VocWorks/CareWorks USA MDOS program.”
Cassens Transport Company

“When you can’t accommodate your injured employee’s restrictions, MDOS can.”
STAFFMARK

VocWorks Independent Medical Exam (IME) services

VocWorks understands that IMEs are often used in adversarial hearings. Objective findings and timely scheduling are what you need. Our guidelines ensure credible IME outcomes for our clients, including:

Informational discussion on effectively managing difficult workplace injury claims.

Bring specific case details to discuss.

Date
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location
Holiday Inn – Youngstown/South Boardman
7410 South Avenue Boardman, Ohio 44512
(330) 726-1611 Exit #11A (US 224 West) from I-680. Go west to South Avenue and turn left.

Panel
Timothy A. Niemi, MD, MBA
Medical Director | Trumbull WorkMED

Doug Spiker, Esq.
Roetzel & Andress

Jim Anderson
Infoquest Investigations

Linda Gillespie RN, COHN
VocWorks

Heather Lavelle, PT
Work Force Therapy

R.S.V.P. Friday, April 16th

Lee Ann Griffith @ (440) 213-6240
leeann.griffith@vocworks.com

The 3% distinction means that CARF surveyors did not identify any areas of nonconformance to the standards during its onsite visit to VocWorks. It is extremely rare and notable for CARF to not make any recommendations for improvement.

According to a letter from CARF president and CEO Brian Boon, Ph.D., this achievement is an indication of VocWorks’ “dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the people it serves.”

The Survey Summary that accompanied the accreditation indicated that VocWorks has strengths in many areas, including:

• VocWorks has a corporate culture of “getting things done” by removing barriers and increasing efficiencies in daily operations. Management team members who are committed to success contribute to an atmosphere of optimism and driving for results. Associates as specifically evaluated on their drive for results.
• VocWorks strategic plan is written in a format that clearly portrays its corporate mission and values, its ultimate goals and its strategies for success.
• VocWorks ethical codes are written in a fashion that demonstrates its genuine commitment to doing the right things for the right reasons.  Appreciation for the codes was evident throughout all levels of the organization.
• VocWorks accessibility to persons served is apparent in its approach to bringing the service directly to them.
• The geographical area covered by VocWorks is urban to rural throughout the entire state of Ohio. This is a tremendous undertaking, and vocational rehabilitation professionals noted the professionalism and nimble nature of the service delivery to persons served who might not access services otherwise.
• VocWorks is fortunate to have a professional team that is visible in the community and helps consumers map out their employment goals.
• Persons served receive support tailored to their needs, along with encouraging self-advocacy skills. Career planning is cognizant of consumer choice, skill level, and opportunities that minimize barriers.

On balance, VocWorks is providing effective services that are meeting the needs of the persons served and the referral source.  An administrative structure that demonstrates maturity in a fairly young organization supports the services to deliver results.  Performance is consistently monitored at individual, program, service and regional levels to provide information so that the management team may make adjustments for quicker and more efficient attainment of goals.

VocWorks commitment to being best in class should inspire the organization to continue to use the CARF standards in its pursuit of excellence.  VocWorks is encouraged to continue to be involved with CARF on its journey.

*CARF is an international, not-for-profit organization that accredits human services providers. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities, the accrediting body is now known as CARF.

For more information on VocWorks’ CARF accreditation, please contact Kimberly Wickert, Director of Rehabilitation and Business Development at 1-877-641-2010 or email her at kimberly.wickert@vocworks.com.

CareWorks USA’s Disability Management Solutions (DMS) provides integrated disability management services for employers of all sizes. Our IDM services are designed to work standalone or in conjunction with one another and include:

• FMLA administration and tracking.
• State specific leave law administration.
• Short Term Disability (STD) and Long Term Disability (LTD) medical management and administration.
• Sick leave administration.
• Workers’ compensation medical management and administration.
• Administration of any type of employer sponsored leave programs.

We have helped employers reduce costs associated with absences through proactive benefit management and integration of leave benefits. Our customers also experience increased productivity, improved employee morale and an overall reduction in the misuse of benefits as a result of implementing one or more of our IDM services.

Having trouble managing FMLA?
Not sure you’re in compliance?
Overburdened with FMLA paperwork?
Not only can outsourcing FMLA help you manage these problems it can save you money. Let CareWorks USA DMS provide a cost free no obligation assessment to help determine if outsourcing is right for you.

Considering outsourcing but think it would be cost prohibitive?
Well, think again. In 2009, the average return on investment for our clients was four to one. Outsourcing not only enables an employer to control the costs associated with employee absences, it enables an employer to reclaim significant resource dollars by allowing Human Resource Departments to re-direct priorities.

Modified Duty off Site (MDOS)

VocWorks’ MDOS program has proven valuable to employers of all size.
MDOS is a unique return to work program that allows employers to accommodate restrictions they would otherwise be unable to accommodate. Employees are placed off-site at non-profit organizations temporarily for 30, 60 or even 90 days. By utilizing MDOS, employers can avoid lost time claims and significantly lower their workers’ compensation and disability costs. VocWorks is proud to deliver our MDOS services nationally.

Exciting News Regarding MDOS in Ohio
VocWorks has some exciting news to share regarding our valuable MDOS services.

The Ohio Supreme Court accepts Modified Duty Off Site as a valid job offer in a decision handed down on October 7, 2009. THE STATE EX REL. SEBRING, APPELLANT, v. INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION OF OHIO ET AL., APPELLEES. [Cite as State ex rel. Sebring v. Indus. Comm., 123 Ohio St. 3d 241, 2009-Ohio-5258.]

An employee was injured on July 12, 2005, while working at ALRO Steel Corporation in Toledo, Ohio. He returned to his former position and was later laid off. While laid off, he relocated to Wyoming. Based on seniority, the employee was recalled to work and their claim was amended and temporary total was resumed.

The employee was provided a light duty release to work in August, 2006. CareWorks USA/VocWorks facilitated an MDOS placement close to his residence in Wyoming. ALRO sent the job offer to the employee which he refused saying he was returning to Toledo. ALRO then provided a light duty job offer at their Toledo plant, which the employee declined stating he was returning to Wyoming. TTD was terminated due to the refusal of the light duty job offer in Toledo.

The employee appealed this finding all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court sighting Ohio Adm. Code 4121-3-32(A)(6). The Supreme Court denied further analysis of the appeal as the employee refused light duty job offers that were proximate to each residence.

MDOS at the OSIA’s 2010 Education Day

Attend the OSIA 2010 Education day on January 22, 2010, at the Quest Business Center in Columbus, Ohio, and hear Jodi South of Gordon Food Service speak about how MDOS has positively impacted their transitional work program.

Case Management Services

Quality case management is essential to successful claim resolution. Telephonic case management, field case management, task assignments and vocational case management are core services provided by VocWorks. Each of these services, when used at appropriate times, can reduce the overall costs of a workers’ compensation claim.

Telephonic Case Management
Staying in touch with injured employees helps employers reduce the impact of lost time injuries. Our proactive medical management practices focus on disability duration guidelines and treatment protocols which help set goals for safely reducing lost days, minimizing unnecessary treatment and decreasing overall claim costs.

Field Case Management
One of the most effective ways to achieve cost containment and reduce the financial impact of work-place accidents is to implement field case management. With direct contact to all parties of a claim, our field case managers can help eliminate unnecessary wait times for treatment requests, assist in timely coordination of services and help achieve successful return to work.

Task Based Case Management
Task assignments are goal-oriented, task-focused case management activities designed to move a claim forward without implementation of full field case management. Employers who utilize task assignment services are able to provide appropriate medical management for claims, while controlling overall claim costs.

Vocational Case Management
When permanent restrictions cannot be accommodated and the injured worker has no job to return to, assistance from a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) is essential. A CRC can be instrumental in establishing and facilitating a reasonable and appropriate vocational plan of action to assist the injured worker in returning to remunerative employment.

To learn more about our services, please contact your local VocWorks Account Manager via email below or call our Corporate Headquarters, toll-free, at 1-877-641-2010.

Laura Alexander
John Brose (Pennsylvania & West Virginia)
Tony D’Orazio
Lee Ann Griffith
Kathleen Hamlin
Denise Pretzer (Michigan)
Amy Miller (Indiana)
Leslie Samuelson (Michigan)

We invited the CARF surveyors to evaluate how well our services meet international standards for quality. The survey team will be looking at many things about us and our services. The survey will tell us what we are doing well and ways we might improve.

As a result of this survey, our services may earn or continue CARF accreditation. As part of the survey, the surveyors will interview people who use our services, their families, our staff, and others. Some questions the survey team members might ask people are:

• Are our services provided in a clean and safe setting?
• Do you receive the services you need and want?
• Are you treated with respect?
• Do you take part in planning your services?
• Are you told what you need to know about your services?
• Are your questions answered in a way you understand?
• Do you know where to go with questions or concerns?

If you would like to talk with one of the CARF survey team members or want to learn more about CARF, please let one of our staff members know. You may also contact CARF directly.

• Internet: www.carf.org
• E-mail: feedback@carf.org
• Mail: CARF, 4891 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ  85712
• Toll-free telephone: (866) 510-2273
• Fax: (520) 318-1129

*CARF is an international, not-for-profit organization that accredits human services providers. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities, the accrediting body is now known as CARF.

VocWorks’ Self Insured Field Case Managers recently completed a Functional Outcome Study that provided us with some informative data we’d like to share with our customers and potential customers. The study included more than 400 case management files with 35 different referrals sources, including self-insured employers with a variety of occupations as well as Third Party Administrators (TPAs).

• We were able to document 95.2% successful Functional Outcomes.
• 70% of the time the Field Case Manager was able to return an injured worker to the same job with their same employer.
• Other successful outcomes documented were returning an injured worker to a different job with their same employer (DJSE), a different job with a different employer (DJDE) and Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).

The study further illustrates VocWorks’ ability to deliver creative case management that help injured workers get back to work and control overall workers’ compensation costs!

Modified Duty Off-Site

Our successful placement outcome results speak for themselves.
VocWorks’ Modified Duty Off-Site (MDOS) program has proven valuable to employers of all sizes.  By utilizing MDOS, employers can reduce their workers’ compensation and disability costs by placing those employees, with restrictions that cannot be accommodated on-site at a non-profit organization “temporarily” for 30-60-90 days.  VocWorks is proud to deliver the MDOS service on a national level.
Overall Referral and Placement Outcomes

• Our overall placement success rate is 94%.

Outcome of Successful Full Time Placements

• 79% Successful return to work.
• 11% Terminated.
• 4% Refused participation or resigned.

Additional statistics

• Average time to secure placement: Within 48 hours of referral
• Average time from referral to MDOS start date: 8.6 days
• Closed for medical instability: 6 percent

MDOS Key Benefits

• Retention of regular wages while participating in return-to-work program.
• Retention of health care and other benefits.
• Provides a support structure during recovery with case manager and medical provider working together.
• Keeps injured worker active, performing meaningful, productive tasks.
• Helps reduce de-conditioning, which can occur from lack of activity.
• Facilitates a quicker recovery and transition back to the original/regular job position.
• Structured program designed for safety allows injured worker to perform work within documented restrictions.
• Reduces or eliminates “work adjustment” issues

VocWorks’ Comprehensive Services

Quality Case Management Services

• Catastrophic and Crisis Intervention Case Management
• FMLA Absence Management Services
• Long and Short Term Disability (LTD/STD) Medical Management
• Medical Field Case Management
• Modified Duty Off Site (MDOS) Nationally
• Task Based Case Management
• Telephonic Case Management
• Toll-Free Call-in and First Report Response
• Vocational Case Management

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

• Employability Assessments
• Job Placement Programs
• Job Seeking Skills Training (JSST)
• Labor Market Surveys
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Vocational Assessments
• Vocational Evaluations, Assessments and Screenings

Supplemental Management Services

• Fee Bill Processing
• Independent Medical Exams (IMEs)
• Integrated Disability Management
• Medical Bill Audits
• Medicare Set Aside and Life Care Planning
• Physician File Review
• Utilization Management
• Wellness

To learn more about our services, please contact your local VocWorks Account Manager via email below or call our Corporate Headquarters, toll-free, at 1-877-641-2010.

Laura Alexander
John Brose (Pennsylvania & West Virginia)
Tony D’Orazio
Lee Ann Griffith
Kathleen Hamlin
Denise Pretzer (Michigan)
Amy Miller (Indiana)
Leslie Samuelson (Michigan)

We are pleased to announce that at their May, 2009 Commission Meeting, the RSC Commissioners selected Mr. Ken Penix from VocWorks as the recipient of the 2008 RSC Denise Joanne Weisenborn Service Award.

This award was established in memory of the late Denise Joanne Weisenborn, who served on the Commission from 1997 to 2006. It is presented at the discretion of the RSC Commissioners and may or may not be awarded every year.

Mr. Penix is a tremendous asset to the VocWorks team in his ability to provide vocational services and opportunities to Ohioans with disabilities. One of his nominators wrote the following in his letter of recommendation for Penix to receive this award.

“Personally, Mr. Penix is a soft spoken yet engaging gentleman who balances a keen sense of humor with serious sensitivity to individual differences. He is a team player in every sense of the word, and he is liked and admired by his colleagues, his consumers and employers alike. Mr. Penix’s professionalism, work ethic and creativity have resulted in tremendous contributions to the dignity and independence of Ohioans with disabilities, to the state economy and to the profession and practice of rehabilitation counseling in Northeast Ohio. We are very fortunate to call this truly exceptional service provider and advocate one of our own, and he completely embodies the ideals of quality service and consumer advocacy that characterize Denise Weisenborn’s life and legacy.”

We are very proud of Mr. Penix’s achievements and offer our sincere congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment!

VocWorks is proud of our relatively short history as a company. We’ve come a very long way since our inception 9 years ago. We are committed to strengthening the name and reputation we have all worked so hard to create, and the redesigned look, feel and content on our website is a natural step in this direction.

The new website is scheduled to go live to the public on Monday,April 27, 2009. This is only the beginning of our redefined online presence. We invite you to explore the rest of our site and provide us with your feedback. We will be adding new content, features and functionality based on what our customers and our associates recommend.

Outsourcing options vary and range from standalone administration of FMLA claims and state-specific programs to integrated benefits delivery of FMLA, short-term disability and workers’ compensation.

With the downturn in the economy, employers of all sizes are facing similar challenges – rising health care costs and lost productivity due to absences.  Yet, small to mid size employers are further burdened due to fewer available resources and time to help them effectively manage workplace absences and promote a healthy workforce.

CareWorks USA’s Disability Management Solutions division is an administrator of FMLA claims management and integrated disability benefit programs.  One third of small to mid-size employers who responded to a recent CareWorks USA survey were not satisfied with their current FMLA program.

Survey results help provide perspective on how small employers are struggling to manage the complexity and burden of FML claims and new regulations.
Interesting findings from the surveys included:

• 49% of all respondents have challenges in administering their FMLA claims.
• 82% of all respondents track FMLA time manually.
• 59% of all respondents do not provide training on FMLA to their managers and supervisors.
• 100% of all respondents currently unsatisfied with their current FMLA program have or are considering outsourcing as an option.

Many employers indicated that in addition to the manual record keeping and lack of education of managers and supervisors, the burden on human resources staff and consistency issues posed significant challenges to effective and efficient administration of leaves.  Others were concerned about compliance due to new federal regulations announced in January 2009.

Outsourcing FMLA administration can not only improve consistency and compliance, but also can enhance fairness for the employee and promote return to work.  For FMLA and other disability-related absences from work, an employer can most positively impact their costs by helping the employee restore a healthy, productive lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible.

For more information about this article or CareWorks USA’s Disability Management Solutions please contact Holly Moyer, Senior Disability Management Consultant, at (440) 937-9507 or via email to holly.moyer@vocworks.com.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
An effective option during difficult economic times
Everyone is talking about it and we cannot ignore it.  Headlines such as “Unemployment rose to 5.1% in February after 651,000 jobs were lost” or “Economists expect 10% unemployment by end of 2010″ are constant reminders of the challenges employers face today.

This is not very good news for not only employers, but their employees as well.  VocWorks continues to be a leader in helping people get back to work after an occupational injury or a planned elimination their job.  Our full line of vocational rehabilitation services can be helpful and effective during tough economic times.

• Transferable Skills are the backbone of any vocational evaluation tool.  Transferable skills encompass a person’s work history, education, training and experience.  The level of transferability of a person’s skills to other jobs and work environments can be impacted by physical and/or psychological restrictions.  There are a variety of vocational evaluation tools that can help determine a person’s level of transferability.  VocWorks’ Transferrable Skills Analysis (TSA) is a valuable program for employers who want to offer job search services for their unskilled workers or low end semi-skilled workers.  Our specialists gather work and educational history to evaluate the type of jobs that may be available for employees whose jobs are being eliminated.

• Employability Assessments are a useful tool when dealing with lost jobs and wage-loss issues.  An employability assessment will, at a minimum, include a TSA and a Labor Market Survey (LMS).  A specialist can complete an LMS for any specific geographical area.  The specialist will take the probable jobs a person can perform as indicated by the TSA results, indicate how many of those jobs are available in a given geographic area, what the wage is for those jobs and any other statistical information requested.

• Vocational Screening and Vocational Evaluations are more extensive evaluation tools with the vocational evaluation being the most extensive.  They both involve a Transferable Skill Analysis, a clinical interview with the displaced or injured worker and vocational testing.  Both can also include a Labor Market Survey if requested.  The vocational screening and vocational evaluation are better used when considering short-term and long term retraining or aptitudes.

• Job Seeking Skills Training (JSST) and Job Placement programs are coordinated through a job placement specialist who provides daily assistance and guidance in finding new employment.  It is recommended that clients entering a job search take our extensive training program

Does your Job Analysis meet ADA guidelines for essential function?
An on-site job analysis includes a general description of job tasks, physical demands of the job and explains what the employee does and how the employee performs their work.  It is highly useful in determining whether an employee’s current level of function meets current job demands.

Our licensed therapists will come on-site and develop a job analysis for your company or assist in updating existing job analyses to ensure they identify the essential functions of the job and comply with ADA guidelines.  The information obtained and documented by the therapist is compiled into a detailed report that includes the essential elements of the job and material and non-material handling requirements.

To learn more about our services, please contact your local VocWorks Account Manager via email below or call our Corporate Headquarters, toll-free, at 1-877-641-2010.

Laura Alexander
Tony D’Orazio
Lee Ann Griffith
Kathleen Hamlin
Holly Moyer
Denise Pretzer (Michigan)
Amy Miller (Indiana)
Leslie Samuelson (Michigan)