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LACERA Investigators & RTW Coordinators A Match Made in Heaven. Presented by Shari Altmark & Richard Schlosser Disability Retirement Section Supervisors. LACERA’S ROLE. Initial application includes signed information release from employee Allows LACERA to:
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LACERA Investigators & RTW Coordinators A Match Made in Heaven Presented by Shari Altmark & Richard Schlosser Disability Retirement Section Supervisors
LACERA’S ROLE • Initial application includes signed information release from employee • Allows LACERA to: • Retrieve all Workers’ Comp records from TPA • Retrieve additional records from outside sources • Kaiser/personal physicians/chiropractors/therapists • Retrieve personnel records • Active, retired or deceased • Ask for additional documentation/information as necessary
LACERA’S ROLE (cont’d) • Interview member to get timeline • Job classifications during career • Prior job assignments and overall duties • Current job assignment and duties • Focus on specific job duties within last assignment • Physical requirements • Were there modifications provided to the applicant? • If offered, when? (before or after retirement) • If so, were they temporary or permanent?
LACERA’S ROLE (cont’d) • Chronological history of injuries/illnesses • Mechanics of the injury • Where did it happen? • What did they feel? • Were there any witnesses? • Reporting and care after the injury/illness • Follow-up treatment, if any • Current symptoms and reason they cannot return
LACERA’S ROLE (cont’d) • Current symptoms/level of activity • Witness statements • Contact supervisor • Confirm “actual” job duties/physical requirements • Obtain information regarding injury/illness • Applicant’s current condition/ability to perform duties • Contact co-worker(s) • Obtain information regarding injury/illness • Query personal awareness of applicant’s condition
LACERA’S ROLE (cont’d) • Contact RTW Coordinator • Confirm medical leave status • Confirm past and present work restrictions • Research accommodation, if any • Temporary or permanent
LACERA’S ROLE (cont’d) • Medical opinion from LACERA specialist • Mechanism of injury • History of injury/illness and treatment rendered • Confirm or refute permanent incapacity • Advise on any permanent work restrictions • Comment on ability to perform permanent modified position • Confirm or refute job causation
LACERA’S ROLE (cont’d) • Contact RTW Coordinator again • Address department’s ability to accommodate LACERA doctor’s permanent work restrictions • If so, what would the duties be? • If not, why not? • *** Response needs to be in writing!!! • Email, letter or fax • Important that person giving response is authorized to make statement
Questions RTW Cannot Ask • What medical conditions did the employee apply for? • Proposed date of service retirement? • What is the Board recommendation? • What do we think the Board action will be? • How much will employee make if they get the disability retirement?
Questions RTW Can Ask • Time frame to process • Status of case • Name of Investigator • Service retirement date, once confirmed by Board
Obstacles LACERA faces • Timeliness of response to Retirement Board once doctor’s opinion is received • Workers’ Comp vs. Disability Retirement • Open labor market vs. independent classification • Restrictions governed by old law • Retirement Board policy changes • Turnover within RTW divisions
Resources • If you have questions, call (626) 564-2419 • Log on to www.lacera.com • Click “Benefits” tab (upper right hand side) • Click “Active Member” tab (left side) • Click “Disability Retirement” (lower left side) • Contact the individual investigator (see attached listing)
