Early Return to Work Program
- About the Central Accident Reporting (CARO) Office
- CARO Responsibilities
- CARO will maintain an injury report/file and direct medical care.
- CARO will maintain communication with the authorized treating physician in returning the employee back to work in an effort to enhance the recovery of the injured worker.
- Upon receiving proper documentation from the treating physician regarding temporary modified restrictions, CARO will notify the agency as to when temporary total or temporary partial disability will cease. The agency will be provided a copy of the treating physician’s orders for temporary modified restrictions.
- CARO will continue to communicate with the physician toward a release to full duty or a release with permanent restrictions.
- CARO will notify the agency when a release has been obtained.
Please direct questions to the following:
CARO
P.O. Box 809
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-2837
1-888-622-7694
Fax: (573) 751-5262
Email: CARO@oa.mo.gov
Resources for Physicians:
- Notice to Medical Providers
- Physical Assessment Form (MO 300-1798 12-01)
[PDF Version] | [OneForm Version which can be downloaded and completed at no expense to the user]
Resources for State Agencies:
- Model Policy Statement
SAMPLE
In an effort to maintain the department’s skilled workforce and reduce workers’ compensation costs, the Department of _____________, hereby establishes an Early Return to Work program to enhance the recovery to employees who are injured or contract an occupational disease in the course and scope of state employment. Employees will be placed in temporary modified duty assignments, when feasible, during the course of the recovery to perform duties consistent with the temporary limitations.
- Agency Responsibilities
- Supervisor Responsibilities
- Assist the injured employee in seeking authorized medical care and reporting the injury to workers’ compensation pursuant to proper reporting procedures within the agency.
- Conduct proper accident investigation and correct any identified hazards.
- Inform the employee of the Early Return To Work Program and that you will assist in identifying temporary modified work, based upon the doctor’s restrictions, when feasible.
- Obtain a copy of the physician’s temporary restrictions from workers’ compensation (CARO) and identify tasks within the restrictions.
- Communicate with the employee, when he/she will be expected to report to work and regarding the accommodations. Provide the employee with a copy of the temporary restrictions from the physician. Review the assigned tasks, physical restrictions, and work assignment prior to the employee beginning the work. Complete the ERTW agreement form. Accommodate medical restrictions within the current job. If the current job cannot be modified, identify tasks within the agency. Seek assistance from Human Resources or Departmental ERTW Coordinator when needed
- Monitor the employee for compliance with the restrictions. Review the assignment with the employee on a regular basis.
- Return the employee to full duty when the authorized physician determines the restrictions may be lifted. If permanent restrictions are indicated, contact human resources for further action.
- Maintain confidentiality of any and all medical information.
Please direct questions to the following:
CARO
P.O. Box 809
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-2837
1-888-622-7694
Fax: (573) 751-5262
Email: CARO@oa.mo.gov
- Employee Responsibilities
- Report all injuries immediately to your employer. Document the time, place, name of witnesses and nature of the injury in a written report. Be specific as to what body parts were injured.
- If medical treatment is required, you or your employer should contact 1-800-624-2354 for the name of an authorized medical care provider in your area prior to seeing treatment. The State of Missouri will not pay for medical treatment you receive if you do not utilize authorized medical providers. However, you may seek your own medical care with the provider of your choices at your own expense. If it is an emergency, seek initial treatment at the nearest hospital emergency room or medical clinic.
- If the authorized treating physician indicates you have temporary physical restrictions that will not allow you to perform your regular job duties, consideration will be given to modifying your job tasks within the restrictions.
- Promptly provide your supervisor any written documentation from your physician of temporary or permanent work restrictions
- You must maintain regular contact with your supervisor or designated agency representative.
- Promptly provide your supervisor documentation from the treating physician releasing you to full work status.
- The temporary modified duty assignment will continue until such time as the authorized treating physician determines you are released to full duty, that you have permanent restrictions or when the employer should cease the assignment.
- Duty Assignment Form (MO 300-1799 01-02) an optional form available for use by state agencies
[PDF Version] | [OneForm Version]
