Texas Regulators: Extend Pilot Return-to-Work Program

In a report to the Texas Legislature, the Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation is recommending the extension of a pilot return-to-work (RTW) program for small employers.

The program was created as part of the overhaul of the state’s workers’ compensation system mandated in House Bill 7, which was passed during the 2005 legislative session. Among other things, the program provides for reimbursement up to $2,500 to eligible small employers for allowable expenses incurred in making workplace modifications to accommodate employees injured on the job.

The current RTW pilot program funding expires Sept. 1, 2009.

Regulators say they have marketed the program to thousands of Texas businesses since the RTW pilot was implemented in February 2006. Since implementation, five employers have filed for reimbursement and only two have been successfully reimbursed. However, the report noted that “both employers after their reimbursements were complete indicated that they were very pleased with the process and outcome using the RTW pilot program.”

TDI-DWC suggests that extending the pilot program, along with other recommended measures, may increase participation. The other recommendations include:

-Increase the current maximum reimbursement amount for workplace modifications from $2,500 to $5,000.
-Restructure the program to allow employers to receive some or all of the funding in advance.

The agency believes the recommendations, if implemented, would strengthen its ability to market the program.

TDI-DWC noted that “between the effective date of the RTW pilot program rule in February 2006 and September 2008 approximately 16,000 people received RTW training by TDI-DWC outreach and education staff, which included discussions about the RTW pilot program and its benefits.”

The report may be accessed online at www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/rtw/documents/rtwpilotrpt08.pdf.