Texas Small Employers Can Be Reimbursed for Workplace Alterations to Allow Injured Employees to Return to Work

AUSTIN, TX (CompNewsNetwork) - The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) can reimburse small, non-public employers for up to $2,500 in expenses for special equipment, furniture and other workplace modifications that allow an injured employee to return to work. TDI also will soon be able to preauthorize payment of the employers’ expenses under recent changes affecting the Small Employer Return-to-Work Pilot Project.

House Bill (HB) 886 by Rep. Helen Giddings was passed by the 80th Legislature to allow the Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation to preauthorize reimbursements to employers participating in the pilot project. Gov. Rick Perry signed the legislation on May 18 and the law was effective immediately, subject to rulemaking by TDI’s Division of Workers’ Compensation. Rules to allow preauthorization of employer expenses are currently being drafted.

Eligible employers can submit a workplace modification proposal to TDI for preauthorization, or they can perform the modifications and seek reimbursement approval afterwards. By approving the preauthorization proposal, TDI can guarantee reimbursement of the expenses if the modifications are completed as described.

Employers with 2 to 50 employees are eligible to participate. Eligible expenses include those for physical modification of the work environment such as installation of special equipment, devices, furniture or tools or other related costs that would facilitate the injured employee’s return to productive work.

For more information about the Small Employer Return-to-Work Pilot Project and how to participate, visit the agency website at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/mr/rtw/index.html. Or call TDI’s Division of Workers’ Compensation at 512-804-5000; e-mail rtw.services@tdi.state.tx.us.