All conscientious employers work hard to make sure that their employees are safe and do not sustain an injury while on the job. Unfortunately, despite the most diligent efforts, it is still possible that employees may sustain an injury during the course and scope of their employment. When this occurs, the employee will be entitled to workers’ compensation, which covers their medical costs, as well as a percentage of salary replacement. The medical costs that are covered by workers’ compensation cover a wide variety of treatments, ranging from surgery to acupuncture to psychiatric treatment. One issue that may come up during your employee’s workers’ compensation case is home health care.
Workers’ compensation covers the treatment and cure costs for injuries sustained through the course and scope of employment. Once a medical professional has diagnosed your employee with a particular injury, the medical professional will then provide a treatment plan for your employee. The treatment plan may include home health care. A determination that an employee requires home health care will require an assessment of several issues and the employee’s needs for three types of services. These services include skilled nursing and therapy services, assistance with personal tasks, and assistance with activities that allow a person to remain at home. Personal tasks include tasks such as grooming, dressing, and eating. Activities that allow a person to remain at home include shopping, cooking, and housework. It is important to note that these services are not inherently medical services, meaning that no medical training is required to complete these tasks. Nevertheless, they qualify under home health care services for purposes of workers’ compensation.
In 2015, the California Senate passed a bill requiring the California Workers’ Compensation to establish a fee schedule for workers’ compensation schedule. Before that bill, the Official Medical Fee Schedule established the fee schedule for home health care services under workers’ compensation. The bill also provides that the treating physician of the injured employee needs to prescribe home health care services, and also request authorization. The process of utilization of review will allow the insurance provider or other payer to determine whether home health care services are necessary and appropriate.
We have extensive experience helping our clients understand what benefits their employees may receive through workers’ compensation. Call us today to talk about your case and your business.