Vocational Closing Report

[katicabogar]

As some of you might remember, I am going through Vocational Rehab the second time in two years. The prior firm couldn't find any retraining option for me, so they recommended pention. Adjuster in turn hired a second vocational firm to get me back to work.

I just got a closing report from the head of the firm, they need to close case with this counselor, as he spent too much of the department's money already. But they are assigning case to a different counselor with the same firm, who is already familiar with my case.

Just a month ago, counselor was asking adjuster what to do as my doctor turned down all three proposed job analysis and adjuster was saying to wait outcome of hearing and IME's.

Now...I am getting this closing report. Can anyone tell me what is this?
I think it's getting ridicoulus how they keep wasting money. They spent thousands of dollars already just for vocational rehab with no result. They try to send me back to do same type of work where I got hurt and I am permanently disapproved to do that. Also they come up with these job titles what they think I can do, like collection manager???? I never did that, I was a medical biller, I was never a manager, never qualified for that or wanted to. They also came up with dental billing clerk...I never did dental billing, I did hospital billing.
Lilly, I know you went though all this and you had to look for work over a year and finally they closed your case. Are you still receiving time loss?

I would appreciate some feedbacks.
Thanks.

Kat

[1171]

without knowing the difference in benefit payout between you working and not working it's difficult to evaluate the cost effectiveness of work comp voc rehab.
I do know that in the long term generally a job pays a recovered worker more then they can get in work comp disability especially if health and retirement benefits are included.

[katicabogar]

1171,

You wrote: "I do know that in the long term generally a job pays a recovered worker more then they can get in work comp disability especially if health and retirement benefits are included".

I know all that, but that's the problem, I am not recovered and they know that. They keep spending thousands of dollars on vocational experts who can't really do anything for me. They should heal me first before they try to push me back to work. They keep denying all medical care since 2006, but they are willing to pay thousands of dollars to IME doctors to lie for them that nothing is wrong with me, except some "minor carpal tunnel" and rest of my problems, including arms/shoulders/neck and fingers triggering are not work related.

Anyway, thanks for your reply.

Kat

[1171]

It's possible that the medical tab would be tens of thousands of dollars and therefore an agressive return to work program would be cost effective.
Many times a single case differs from the majority but when evaluating all the cases the process is cost effective.
most industry procedures are based on population of cases even though any one case may differ.
I suspect the system doesn't tailor it's rules for each worker or claim and those that deviate get services that don't apply and are deprived of those that might.

just trying to offer an explanation not making a judgement.

[soonermom53]

Kat sounds like you have same problem I have I had severe carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands,deQuervain stenosynovitis in both wrists and trigger thumbs, Neck pain ,back pain, shoulder pain, numbness and tingling. They did the carpal tunnel release on both hands did an A1 pulley release and 1st dorsal compartment release on both wrists and thumbs. Trying to get them to treat my neck as been the problem as IC refuses since one dr says work related one says not. Iwas an assistant loan manager for a loan company which entailed loans and collections. Spent 8 to 10 hours a day on computer and phone. I wish the best and hope everything gets settled and you get the treatment you need.

[Lilly]

Oh Kat, I really "feel" for you that they are keeping up the relentless pressuring!
Yes, I am still recieving time loss wages.

I really wanted to go back to work too, but I'm physically unable...and certainly not in the ridiculous jobs that they dreamed up for me either! My restrictions are no lift, push, or pull of 1-2 pound limit, and Nothing above waist line with dominant arm! No repetitive motions, either arm.
So what do you suppose I do ?
Yet they paid several grand to a voc rehab firm for over a year, to get me back into the workforce...when common sense tells you I'm screwed, in a dying state, with most industries filing chapter 11 in my area.

I have other physical problems too, that they didn't take into consideration ...like I can't hear! How am I going to answer a phone when I have neurological and conductive hearing loss? Hearing aids will not help in this case.

In my case, My treating doctor (whom WC supplied ), told me to file for SSD, and get a lawyer on the very first visit. My doctor stuck up for me...as I see your's is too! We both have to thank our lucky stars for common sense MD's! All I can say is you gotta keep playing the game, simply because they say so. One of these days, they'll wise up, back off, and close your voc rehab case. It sounds to me, like they are trying to drive nuts enough, until you fail in your job searches, or they catch you in a fib...DO NOT FAIL! Hang in there!! Faithfully do your searches!
Let them waste their money, if they are dumb enough to continue!

If you are still having problems, are you still doctoring & seeking help? I also can't remember if you have a lawyer...he can also pitch a bi&ch about the relentless voc rehab in your case. Mine did.

1171, are you saying that it may be cheaper for them to send her back to work injured, because the medical costs to help her are too costly to IC? I hope they don't do this to IW's, if they do it's criminal, sick, and unjust!


Take care Kat, & good luck. Lilly

[katicabogar]

Thanks for the replies.

Soonermom53..our cases are so similar it is scary. I think we are even the same age if the 53 indicates your birth year. I also did pretty much same type of work what you did, more than 18 years..the past 12 years was very intense computer work and phone, also. My problem is, I was never told by doctors until about nine months ago that my hands/arms/shoulder problem originates from my neck. My occupational doctor told me, the orhopedic surgeon ,who treated me for over two years pretty much misdiagnosed me. Had all that surgeries(like yours)but didn't really solve original problems. Therefore, it will be a challenge and probably a long fight trying w/c to pay for treatment. In the meantime, my condition is worse than ever and not getting any treatment at all. That's why I am upset about the Vocational Rehab people, they know my restrictions and they still come up with same type of occupations what I did in the past.

Lilly, I thank you also for your reply. I know what you went through with the vocational rehab people and just how they waist state's money. In my state, they are willing to pay them for years(in my case it's been two years now), but they are not willing to pay for decent schooling. They allow only $4000.00, so what does it buy you? Not much, a few beginners office type of courses at the community college.
In my state, we have very few manufactuing type of work and many people have four year degrees, therefore employers demand university degree even for office work(Microsoft set the standard here). So even if they found something for me what I could do without hands, I wouldn't get hired because I don't have four year degree and I am also 55 years old. This state is for young people, many older workers are being pushed out from there employment so they can hire younger people with less pay. Employers hire older workers only if they are very desperate, such as nursing type of work. This is the reality and I am sure most vocational counselors know this.

I also wish both of you a very succesful outcome in your cases.
Kat

[Lilly]

Kat...do you have a lawyer? If so, does he not agree that the relentless voc rehab in your case is getting ridiculous?
Prayers for you, Lilly

[katicabogar]

Yes, Lilly I have a lawyer and he is looking out for me. He agrees this whole voc rehab is ridiculous and he knows how to play their game, also. The prior vocational counselor worked with me for over a year, realized only option was retraing, but because of lack of fund and other factors, such as my age, ran into dead end. Owner of firm took over my case and she sent report to w/c, further voc rehab is a waste of money in my case, so she recommended pention. That's when previous adjuster got mad and in turn hired this present firm. As I found out, they will do anything just to keep their account with I/C and I told this to the voc counselor in the beginning, who was just taken off from case due to spending too much money.
So here we are again with the fifth(that's right)counselor, who is starting all over again and that's why I posted, what's going on? My doctor keeps objecting to these ridiculous job analysis, in turn they keep sending me for an other IME(I had four so far and two FCE's). Doctor objects again, so the game keeps being played.

Thank you for your kind words.

Kat

[katicabogar]

Here we go again...I just found out, I have a new vocational counselor again...this is the SIXTH in two years, second in one month.
Unbeliavable. Wondering what type of jobs this one will suggest.

Kat