Posted on January 25, 2010 by Virginia Hunt

Permanent Partial Disability Evaluation Cost Increase

The State of Nevada, Division of Industrial Relations, has approved the Nevada Medical Fee Schedule effective February 1, 2010.  It provides that rating physicians are entitled to charge $650.99 for a rating evaluation that includes up to two accepted body parts.  The rating doctor may charge an additional $217.41 for each additional body part.  Injured workers who contest the initial rating evaluation obtained by the industrial insurer are required to adhere to this fee schedule when obtaining a second rating evaluation from a second rating doctor.  However, pursuant to NRS 616C.100,  a hearings or appeals officer may reimburse the injured worker the cost of the second evaluation if the hearings or appeals officer finds that the second rating should be used as the basis for the permanent partial disability award.

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Posted on January 14, 2010 by Virginia Hunt

Mileage Reimbursement-Update January 2010

The State of Nevada DIR announced that mileage reimbursements to injured workers traveling to and from medical care or for vocational rehabiliation purposes has been decreased from 55 cents a mile to 50 cents a mile, effective January 1, 2010. 

The regulations for mileage reimbursement of travel expenses are found at NAC616C.150.  The request for reimbursement should be on the DIR form D-26, which has the rules for reimbursement on the back side.  Please be sure to send in your reimbursement request form to your adjuster within 60 days of the date of your first trip on the form.  Many injured workers make the mistake of waiting until the end of their claim to send in requests for mileage reimbursement, and the adjuster is then only obligated to pay for the last 60 days of qualifying travel. 

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Posted on January 5, 2010 by Virginia Hunt

FMLA Questions and Answers for Nevada Injured Workers

 

Q: What is FMLA?

A: FMLA is The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, a federal law that requires employers of 50 employees or more to grant up to 12 weeks of unpaid protected job leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons.   There is a 12-month eligibility requirement, and only serious health conditions are covered. 29 U.S.C.A. Sections 2601, et.seq.

Q: Can my employer reduce my FMLA time while my treating physician takes me off work for my accepted  work-related injury or occupational illness?

A: Yes, your employer can require that you complete FMLA paperwork and can reduce the amount of FMLA time you have available even though you are off work under an accepted workers' compensation claim.

Q: If FMLA time is running during my work injury, can my employer terminate my job?

A: During FMLA time, your employer may not terminate your job. At the end of your FMLA time, or 12 weeks, if your employer does not have light duty work within your restrictions, and if your employer decides not to extend your unpaid leave of absence, your employer may decide to terminate your employment. Your workers’ compensation benefit checks would continue, however.  You would also be considered for vocational rehabilitation when you have permanent work restrictions if your employer is unable or unwilling to rehire you and offer you a permanent job within your permanent work restrictions.

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