Workers Compensation In Physical Therapy Care

Insurance coverage plays a large roll in physical therapy when working with an individual who needs treatment post injury, as does the state in which the therapy is provided. Depending on an individual’s insurance coverage there are different requirements and steps that need to be taken in order for them to enter into physical therapy care post injury, and workers’ compensation is no different. In the state of Connecticut, one requirement that is that a referral for physical therapy services must be obtained from a physician (Gardner, 2013). Although a referral is required, preapproval by workers’ compensation is not required for an individual to enter into physical therapy care (State of Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission, 2010).

The time approved by the WCC medical protocols varies on the type and severity of injury.

The steps required for an individual to enter physical therapy care post injury under workers’ compensation are the responsibility of both the individual and the employer. When an individual is injured at work it is their responsibility to report the injury to their employer. An individual has one year from the date of injury to file a claim for compensation, however for an occupational disease, an individual has up to three years from the first manifestation of symptoms to file a claim (We’re Sorry You Were Injured, 2001). Although there is an extended period of time for filing a claim it is best to do so as soon as the

It is the physical therapist’s responsibility to provide the optimum physical therapy management of an injured individual. This is done by completing a thorough examination of the individual and getting to the root of the injury. Once a thorough evaluation is complete the physical therapist must then develop the best plan of care for the individual to return to work healthy and able to complete all required duties. A plan of care for an individual under workers’ compensation is aggressive and greatly based on the individual’s functions at work. When an individual’s care is aggressive and function based it has been found to be very effective in returning individual to their duties. This is thought to be true because the individual is learning more effective and healthier ways to perform their duties. For example, if an individual is receiving care for low back pain caused by lifting heavy objects, it is the responsibility of the therapist to develop a plan of care that targets this action. A physical therapist should instruct the individual in proper lifting techniques and possible strengthening and stretching exercises to decrease the current pain and prevent future injuries from