This message applies to ALL University of Colorado at Boulder Employees

Changes to Designated Medical Provider
 for
On-The-Job Injuries

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

I’ve heard there is a big change that has to do with CU-Boulder’s medical provider for on-the-job injuries.  What is happening?

• On June 1, 2007, employees began transitioning from Wardenburg to the temporary Designated Medical Provider (DMP) Arbor Occupational Medicine.  Employees who are currently going to Wardenburg for a past injury will work with their Wardenburg physician to transition to Arbor during the month of June.  With a couple of exceptions, all employees were transitioned to Arbor by July 1, 2007.
• October 1, 2007:  Shortly after the June 1 transition began, CU went out for bid for two permanent DMP’s.  The RFP process is now complete, and the two permanent DMP’s are Arbor Occupational Medicine and Workwell Occupational Medicine.  CU-Boulder employees injured on the job now have an initial choice as to which of these two providers they use for treatment. 

 Where are Workwell and Arbor Located?

• WORKWELL Occupational Medicine
  Burlington Medical Center
  205 S. Main St., Suite C
  Longmont 
  Phone:  (303) 702-1612
  Map to Workwell
  
  
• Arbor Occupational Medicine
  4790 Table Mesa Drive, Suite 200
  Boulder 
  Phone:  (303)443-0496
  Map to Arbor

               Hours for both locations is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Wardenburg Health Center has been the Designated Medical Provider (DMP) for our campus employee’s who are injured on the job for many years.  Their location is very convenient.  Why is a change being made, now?

• Wardenburg Health Center has written a very informative letter to inform campus employees of the change and why the change is occurring. 
  
   How will employees be notified?

• A series of notifications have, and will, be sent using campus listservs (EMEMO and Buff Bulletins) and Silver & Gold.  The URM Boulder Workers’ Compensation pages also have the new information.  We’re also asking that employees with PC access share the new information with those who don’t have access to this information electronically.
• We have met with key campus groups to discuss the change.

• URM will continue to update it’s website throughout the transition.  The information can be found by following this path: 
• http://urm.cusys.edu
• Insurance & Claims
• Workers Compensation
• Boulder
• New Designated Medical Provider Information - NEW !

 As a student, I am covered under the CU student health insurance and would normally go to Wardenburg for health care.  Do I now need to go to Arbor or Workwell for .personal health care?

• Keep in mind that workers' compensation insurance is not the same as student health insurance for non-work injuries, so the student’s personal health insurance and its primary care provider is not affected by this DMP change.  If a student employee working at CU is injured on the job, they follow the procedures for on-the-job injuries and use Arbor or Workwell as their DMP for that injury.

The new Designated Medical Providers are off-campus.  How do I get there?

• Arbor is just a few minutes away from the main campus, and they have plenty of available, free parking in front of their building.  Employees can also take an RTD bus by the campus to get to Moorehead and Table Mesa.  The www.rtd-denver.com site can be consulted for bus route times and locations.
• Workwell is approximately 14 miles from the UCB campus proper by car. Parking is free.  The www.rtd-denver.com site can be consulted for bus route times and locations.
• The URM Workers’ Compensation DMP page has maps and addresses.

• As always, call 911 for life and limb threatening emergencies. 

• If an employee’s injury is such that it doesn’t require a visit to the emergency room, but is of some urgency, a taxi may be called to take the employee to Arbor or Workwell or an after-hours urgent care provider, nearby.  Contact URM for information on reimbursement.

Are there any liability issues related to transporting the injured employee to the off-campus DMP location?

• There are no new liability issues, but drivers should know that when driving their personal vehicle, even for work purposes, that their own auto coverage is primary if there's an accident en route.

• As always, life/limb threatening emergencies use 911, and then report to URM and your chosen DMP (Workwell or Arbor) as soon as possible for follow up.

Are other indications, such as what to do when Workwell or Arbor is closed, still in effect?

• That’s correct.  The injury report form remains the same (see below), as do reporting lost time, reporting deadlines, after hours locations, etc.

Has the injury reporting form for workers’ compensation changed?

• The form has not changed.  If you have been using a hard copy that’s been around for a while, you may want to take this opportunity to look at the current form to be sure you’ve got the most recent version.  The most current form is on our webpage:  https://urm.cusys.edu/docs/forms/incident_report_form.asp
• The form can be filled out and submitted on-line, or printed and faxed to University Risk Management at 303-860-5680.

Does an injured employee need to call ahead or make an appointment with Arbor or Workwell?

• For non-emergency initial injuries, it’s best to contact the DMP prior to going to their facility.  That will help them assess the nature of the injury in order to accommodate the more urgent injuries or to schedule an appointment with the employee if the injury is non-urgent. 
• In addition, if an interpreter is needed, the DMP can begin to arrange for that in timing with the employee arriving at the DMP health facility.
• If an employee “walks in” without prior notification, particularly for a non-urgent injury, it is most likely there will be a wait, or that an appointment may need to be scheduled within the next few business days.
• Follow-up appointments will be scheduled.

Do the DMP’s have interpreters at their facility?

• Workwell has a number of Spanish speaking staff at their location.  For other languages, let them know of the need for an interpreter so they can coordinate that in conjunction with your appointment. 
• Arbor doesn’t normally staff interpreters on-site, however, they contract with local interpreters who have specialization in translating medical information in several different languages. Contact Arbor to schedule a time for the employee and the interpreter to arrive for your appointment.

Will pre-placement physicals now be done at Workwell and Arbor?

• Yes, both Workwell and Arbor can do pre-placement physicals. Interested Departments can contact them directly to discuss their specific pre-placement physical programs.  Keep in mind that this is separate from workers’ compensation and not coordinated by or through University Risk Management.

What documentation does the employee and supervisor receive after the injured employee has been seen by the DMP?

• Arbor or Workwell will give the employee two copies of the Physician’s Report of Workers’ Compensation Injury Form.  The employee should give a copy to the supervisor right away so that the supervisor is aware of the need for modified duty or lost time from the job as authorized by the DMP physician.  Anytime a department cannot accommodate restrictions, they should immediately contact the University Risk Management workers’ compensation claims adjuster at (303) 860-5682 for further information.

If an employee is seen at an ER or another after-hours medical facility, should they return to that same place for follow-up care?

• The Designated Medical Provider, Arbor or Workwell, will oversee or provide all follow-up care.  Contact Arbor or Workwell within the next business day for instructions.

Revised 10-1-07