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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What do I do if I am Injured on the Job?
  2. What Is Workers’ Compensation?
  3. Who Provides Workers’ Compensation for State Employees?
  4. When Will A Decision Be Made On A Claim?
  5. What Forms Will Have to Be Completed?
  6. What Expenses Will Be Paid?
  7. What Is Medical End Result?
  8. What Is An Independent Medical Evaluation?
  9. What Is A Permanent Disability?
  10. What Is A Permanent Impairment Rating?
  11. What Is Vocational Rehabilitation?
  12. How Are Workers' Compensation  Decisions Appealed?
  13. Where Should Medical Providers Send Invoices ?
  14. How Do I Obtain A Work Capabilities Form (Vermont Dept. of Labor Form 20)?
  15. Who do I contact for assistance in locating office equipment on contract?
  16.  How do I set up an "ideal" workstation?
  17. How do I request an ergonomic assessment of my workstation?
  18. Should I use an exercise ball as my office chair?
  19. I am responsible for building upkeep and safety. Is there an evaluation tool (checklist) I could use?

 

1.  What do I do if I am Injured on the Job?

See the Injury Reporting tab on this website.

2.  What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ Compensation is “no-fault” insurance that provides medical and disability benefits for injury/illness, disability, or death that happens in the course of employment.

3.  Who Provides Workers’ Compensation for State Employees?

The State of Vermont, AOA Office of Risk Management (ORM)  manages  the State of Vermont Workers’ Compensation Program which is currently administered by CorVel.

4.  When Will A Decision Be Made On The Injured Worker's Claim?

After the injured worker files a claim, the adjuster has twenty-one (21) calendar days to decide if the injured worker is entitled to benefits.

5.  What Forms Will Have to Be Completed?

CorVel will contact the injured worker concerning required forms.

What Expenses Will Be Paid?

Workers’ compensation provides coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment that is related to the injured worker's work injury/illness. CorVel will pay for this treatment once the injured worker’s claim is approved. Other expenses may also include prescriptions and mileage allowed to and from a medical appointment. CorVel may pay for meals and lodging in cases where distant travel is unavoidable. Expense reimbursements are subject to the rules stated in the collective bargaining agreements and State regulations. The injured worker should submit any expense reimbursement requests to CorVel

7.  What Is Medical End Result?

Medical End Result (MER) is when the injured worker has recovered from his/her injury/illness to a point where the injured worker will not have any significant further improvement, regardless of treatment. The injured worker may still have pain and still need occasional treatment even if (s)he has reached MER. The terms Medical End, Medical End Result, and Maximum Medical Improvement all have the same meaning.

8.  What Is An Independent Medical Evaluation?

An Independent Medical Evaluation (IME) is an examination conducted by a physician selected by CorVel. This physician cannot have treated the injured worker for his/her workers’ compensation injury/illness.

9.  What Is A Permanent Disability?

A permanent disability occurs when the injured worker has reached MER and (s)he has a permanent impairment of function.

10.  What Is A Permanent Impairment Rating?

A Permanent Impairment Rating (PIR) is a medical evaluation to assess permanent loss of function. A physician rates the injured worker’s impairment. The most current edition of the AMA Guide to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment is used. Not all injuries/illnesses will result in a permanent impairment.

11.  What Is Vocational Rehabilitation?

Vocational Rehabilitation is a service to help the injured worker return to suitable employment as quickly as possible. The injured worker may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits if (s)he is unable to return to his/her previous job. Not everyone is eligible for these services. A vocational rehabilitation counselor determines eligibility on a case by case basis. The injured worker’s skills, education, and work history will affect eligibility.

12.  How Are Workers' Compensation  Decisions Appealed?

The Vermont Department of Labor, Workers’ Compensation Division oversees all requests for appeal of decisions made by workers’ compensation insurers in Vermont. They may be contacted at:

 Department of Labor (vermont.gov)
5 Green Mountain Drive
PO Box 488, Montpelier, VT 05601-0488
Tel: (802) 828-2286
Fax: (802) 828-2195

13. Where Should  Medical Providers Send Invoices?

Invoices for medical services provided must be submitted via standard Form UB-92 or standard HCFA Invoice with the ICD-10 or ICD-9 codes and be accompanied by treatment notes for dates of service invoiced. 

Please see Medical Billing Address tab

 

14.   How Do I Obtain A Work Capabilities Form (Vermont Department of Labor Form 20)?

A Work Capabilities Form is used to indicate what, if any, work-related activities may be performed (and to what degree) by an injured worker if he/she is unable to return to regular full-time, full-duty work. Follow this link to the Work Capabilities Form (Vermont Department of Labor Form 20):

15.  Who do I contact for assistance in locating office equipment on contract?

Please contact BGS office of Purchasing and Contracting or visit their website: Office of Purchasing and Contracting | Buildings and General Services (vermont.gov)

16.  How do I set up an "ideal" workstation?

visit OSHA's Website on work stations and self help ergonomic tools.

17.  How do I request an ergonomic assessment of my workstation?

Complete the Ergonomic Assessment Intake Form which is on this website.

18.  Should I use an exercise ball as my office chair?

ORM  does not recommend the use of an exercise ball as a replacement for ergonomic office chairs. 

 

19.  I am responsible for building upkeep and safety, is there an evaluation tool (checklist) I could use?

You can find some sample building evaluation checklists at OSHA' Website.