Workers’ Compensation Medical Care Update

Published: January 8th, 1997

Category: Memos

Jack Heidler, Director

Because so much of the information distributed about the administration of the state workers’ compensation medical care by Humana Medical Plan, Inc., has been revised recently, we wanted to include you in our updates. As is typical during any transition period, related information can change on a daily basis, and we want to be responsive to your needs by providing accurate and timely information.

As you know, if a University of Florida employee is injured while performing his or her assigned job duties, he or she must receive authorized care from a Humana Medical Plan, Inc., provider. The Student Health Care Center (infirmary) on campus recently became an authorized provider which means that university employees in Gainesville may still receive initial workers’ compensation care, pharmacy services, and physical therapy through this clinic. This was reported otherwise in the January 8 edition of the University of Florida Digest.

INJURED EMPLOYEES

If an employee is injured on the job, he or she must contact our Workers’ Compensation Office, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 392-4940, SC 622-4940. Our office will complete the necessary First Report of Injury or Illness Form and send it to Humana along with assisting the caller with finding an appropriate provider. Outside of these hours, calls should be made to the Humana Medical Plan, Inc., at 1-800-424-6689, to receive assistance on where to go for care. If an employee must work through Humana, he or she must contact Workers’ Compensation on the first business day after the injury or illness occurs to ensure that the necessary form is completed and sent to Humana. It is important to note that these calls should be made before seeking treatment in non-emergency cases only. In an emergency situation where the employee s life or health is in serious jeopardy, he or she should seek treatment and then call Workers’ Compensation to report the injury or illness.

NECESSARY TRAINING

Humana is providing orientation sessions on campus this week. Sessions occur every hour on the hour during the designated time periods and will last between 30 and 45 minutes. At these orientation sessions, employees will learn how the Humana system works, sign a statement acknowledging their orientation to the program, and receive their Workers’ Compensation Program Handbook with a provider list and Treatment Access Card.

Departments, where possible, should send small groups to these sessions over several days. However, employees may attend any session that best fits their work schedules. There is no need to register for these sessions.

We appreciate your cooperation in implementing this new approach to workers’ compensation medical care. We will keep you apprised of any more changes as they take place. If you have any questions, please contact Henry Zunker, Workers’ Compensation Manager, at 392-4940, SC 622-4940.

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