Insurance

Return to Work Program

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Return to Work Program

Brown's Return to Work (RTW) Program enables an injured employee's return to their original job with modifications, when possible, or alternative positions until capable of performing their original full duties.

Employees whose injuries are determined to "arise out of and in the course of their employment" will be entitled to Workers' Compensation (WC) benefits. Every injury, regardless of severity, must be reported to the employee's supervisor immediately to ensure appropriate medical attention and to remedy the condition or circumstances that caused the incident. Delays in reporting may jeopardize eligibility for WC benefits.

The Insurance Office must receive proper medical documentation from the employee's attending physician substantiating any disability to work and/or restrictions to work, as soon as possible, to process a WC claim within 72 hours of the incident. If physical therapy is necessary, please see Brown's Physical Therapy Program.

Brown has a Preferred Provider Network (PPN) in place, which was approved by the Workers' Compensation Medical Advisory Board, for use by employees with WC Claims. 

Workers' Compensation leaves of absence will run concurrently with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Procedures

An Injury Report Form must be submitted to Insurance Office (insuranceoffice@brown.edu) within 48 hours.

The RI Workers' Compensation Act mandates that injured employees have the freedom of choice to obtain health care, diagnosis, and treatment from any qualified health care provider initially. Any change by the employee from the initial health care provider of record will require selection from a health care provider listed on the Preferred Provider Network (PPN).

If the employee seeks to change to a health care provider not in the approved PPN, the employee must obtain the approval of their case manager prior to doing so. In the event that an injured employee requires the services of a specialist within a category not represented within the PPN, the employee remains free to choose a health care provider of their choice. Brown provides a comprehensive RTW Program to facilitate injured employees' return to their original jobs or to temporary alternative positions. A variety of jobs and opportunities throughout the campus are available to those able to work with medical consent. The RTW Program minimizes the loss of wages and utilizes talents and skills during the rehabilitation process until employees are able to return to their original position full duty. 

The RTW Program is coordinated by the Insurance Office.

Procedure for the Return to Work (RTW) Program

  • Employee presents the doctor's release to "return to work" to their supervisor.
  • If the doctor provides a full duty release to return to work, the home department will return the employee to their original position.
  • If the doctor puts restrictions on the physical capabilities to their work, the home department may be able to modify their original position, or place the employee somewhere else within their department based on skills and restrictions.
  • If the home department cannot utilize the employee's skills based on the work restrictions, then the Insurance Office may choose to place the employee elsewhere on campus.