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You have questions. We have answers. As an injured worker, you're entitled to work with a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC) of your choosing - and it's important to understand what that means for your recovery and future. Below are answers to the most common questions, your rights, and what to expect when working with our team.
Definitions and Terminology
What is a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC) and what is their role?
A third party to help you navigate and move through the workers’ compensation system, offering varying services tailored to you.
What does vocational rehabilitation mean in the context of a workers’ compensation claim?
Your ability to perform your job has been impacted by your injury, so vocational rehabilitation focuses on services that assist you with returning to that job as you recover from your injury, or assisting you with finding new employment should you not be able to return to your pre-injury job.
What is the difference between a QRC and a Case Manager?
A QRC provides statutory vocational rehabilitation services within the guidelines of MN Rehabilitation Rules and Statutes, whereas Case Management focuses more on medical management and guidance in circumstances when a return to the pre-injury job is probable.
What is Suitable Gainful Employment (SGE)?
Employment with wages consistent with those the injured worker would have enjoyed without disability/injury, and fits within the physical or psychological limitations placed on the injured worker.
What is a Vocational Evaluation and when is it performed?
An assessment of lost earnings or employability as a result of injury, long term disability or death. Evaluations are completed at the request of counsel when deemed appropriate for claim and litigation purposes.
Injured Worker Rights and Eligibility
Am I automatically entitled to vocational rehabilitation services after a work injury in Minnesota?
Injured employees can request a vocational rehabilitation consultation at any time following an injury. The consultation will result in a determination as to whether the injured worker is eligible for services.
Do I get to choose my own QRC?
If so, how do I go about selecting one? Yes, the injured worker has the right to choose their own QRC. The injured worker can reference the Department of Labor and Industry website and find QRC/vendor directories under “Injured workers” in the workers’ compensation sub tab. https://www.dli.mn.gov/workers/workers-compensation-workers
What are the eligibility requirements for receiving QRC services under Minnesota law?
The consultation process will determine the injured workers’ eligibility for services and the injury has to be such that it poses a risk to them being unable to return to their pre-injury occupation, and pre-injury employer, but they would be expected to return to suitable, gainful employment via services provided by the QRC.
The Rehabilitation Process and Services
What are the typical steps in the vocational rehabilitation process once a QRC is involved?
Initial consultation, implementation of a plan for services that could include medical management, communication with the employer to assist with a return to work, monitoring a return to work, or seeking new employment.
How long does the QRC process usually take, and is there a limit to the services?
A QRC can be involved over the life of the claim, which can be short or long depending on the extent of the injury. There is a list of services QRCs can offer, and QRCs can be a resource for needs beyond the scope of vocational rehabilitation.
If I can’t return to my old job, will the QRC help me with a job search or retraining?
Yes, if it is determined that you cannot return to your prior job, job seeking skills training, job placement services, skills enhancement and retraining can all be explored.
What types of services does a QRC provide during the job search (e.g., resume help, interview coaching)?
Once a job search is to commence, the QRC will often introduce an Employment Counselor or Job Placement Specialist to work through developing a resume, consider vocational testing, conduct a mock interview, and help uncover job leads.
Can a QRC help coordinate my job search with my medical restrictions and doctors?
Yes, the QRC will work with you and your medical providers to ensure that any work explored is appropriate based on your injury and restrictions.
What is the responsibility of a QRC?
A QRC assists injured workers in navigating the workers’ compensation system. They help them understand and navigate medical care, communicate with the insurer, employer, attorney, nurse case manager, and physicians, and track all necessary paperwork. The injured worker will understand their long-term employment options following an injury.
What can a QRC offer me?
• Medical management: We attend medical appointments with you to address any questions regarding your medical care in the short and long term. We help ensure your physician understands your job requirements to assign appropriate work restrictions, or determine if you can do a job that has been presented.
• Communication with the parties to the claim: We make sure that paperwork is provided to the necessary people following a medical appointment, and address any questions associated with your physician’s recommendations to assist with medical care moving forward as seamlessly as possible.
• On-site job analysis: We can go to the job site to determine if a job presented is within the restrictions set forth by your medical provider, and make recommendations for modifications if need be.
• Vocational counseling and guidance through the workers’ compensation system.
Legal and Procedural Clarifications
What happens if I disagree with my QRC’s plan or recommendations?
First and foremost, communicate concerns to the QRC. The rehabilitation plan should be a collaborative effort, and the services are designed to help the injured worker. If it is not resolved, the injured worker could consult their legal counsel on options or reach out to the Department of Labor and Industry.
Can a QRC testify in court, and what role do they play in a workers’ compensation dispute?
Yes, QRCs can be asked to testify in court proceedings for the claim on any number of issues.
Are there any costs associated with QRC services for the injured worker?
The injured worker receives all services within the workers’ compensation system, free of charge. The workers’ compensation insurance companies are responsible for payment of QRC services.
What if I can’t return to my date of injury occupation?
• Job seeking skills training: Experienced Employment Counselors meet with you to understand your skills and abilities, along with education, to assist you with developing skills to re-enter the workforce in other areas of employment. Employment Counselors assist with interviewing and job search skills for today’s labor market.
• Resume development: Employment Counselors will work with you to develop a resume on your behalf that you can use in a job search. They will also assist you with appropriate cover letters and references as needed.
• Placement services: Employment Counselors work with you as you job search by providing guidance and assistance, but also researching the labor market on your behalf to identify potential new areas of employment.
• Retraining: If it becomes evident that schooling is needed to aid with your return to employment and a wage you would have enjoyed without injury/disability, we can develop and help you implement a retraining plan, allowing you to go back to school, which would be paid for by the insurance company.
• Skills Enhancement: This is short-term, or more inexpensive skills courses or training that is identified to assist with a return to work.
What determines the end of my work with a QRC?
• Return to suitable employment: This means that you have returned to a physically or psychologically suitable job with comparable wages to those you would have enjoyed without injury or disability, for over 30 days.
• Settlement of claim: You have reached a settlement agreement on your claim that includes vocational rehabilitation services.
• Agreement to close the file: You and the insurance adjuster agree to close out rehabilitation services.
• Order by Judge to close: You have gone to court or through litigation, and a Judge has ordered us to close out vocational rehabilitation services.