Workers' Compensation Rehabilitation in Florida: A Survey of Providers

Abstract

This article reports results from a survey of registered workers' compensation rehabilitation providers in Florida on eight provider activities: (a) accurately representing themselves and their business interests to clients, (b) delivering testimony before workers' compensation judges that is accurate and unbiased, (c) accurately representing client capabilities and limitations to employers, (d) placing clients in positions not likely to result in reinjury, (e) delivering only services they are professionally qualified to deliver, (f) documenting any lack of client cooperation with rehabilitation services, (g) recommending retraining when necessary for successful placement, and (h) bi1llng only for services actually provided. Responses were analyzed for providers as a whole and also in relation to educational background, certification, and years of Florida workers' compensation rehabilitation experience. Results indicated that providers see aIl of the above as occurring with regularity, with documentation of lack of client cooperation receiving the 'highest rating for extent of occurrence and recommendation for retaining the lowest. Years of experience was not associated with differing perceptions, but providers with credentials in rehabilitation counseling rated some of the above activities as occurring with less frequency than providers without such background.