Summary of Rules for Rehabilitation Professionals

Summary of the North Carolina Industrial Commission's Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals in Workers' Compensation Claims

A rehabilitation professional (RP) is a medical case manager, coordinator of medical services, or vocational rehabilitation professional who works independently with you towards rehabilitation during your workers’ compensation claim. Your RP has education and training required by the Industrial Commission (IC) and must act ethically and follow the Industrial Commission's Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals in Workers' Compensation Claims (Rehab Rules).

You must participate in rehabilitation and communicate regularly with your RP. If your RP believes that you are not complying, your RP will detail in writing the actions you are required to take to return to compliance. Your weekly benefits could be stopped if you are ordered to comply with rehabilitation and fail to do so.

You are strongly encouraged to read the full version of the Rehab rules so that you will understand your rights and responsibilities and the role of your RP in your workers’ compensation case. If you have questions about the Rehab Rules, you may talk with your RP. However, please note that your RP cannot give legal advice or investigate or settle your case. If you have questions about your RP or the Rehab Rules and you are not represented by an attorney, you also may contact the Industrial Commission Information Specialists at (919) 807-2501. If you are represented by an attorney, you should speak with your attorney about any questions regarding your RP or the Rehab Rules.

Medical Rehabilitation Summary

A nurse case manager (NCM) will:

  • Give you a copy of the Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals in Workers' Compensation Claims and ask you to sign a Form 25C so that the NCM can get medical records for your injury.
  • Tell you and your doctors about any conflicts.
  • Plan for and manage your medical treatment and evaluate results.
  • Talk with you about treatment choices without deciding on one plan.
  • Either meet with you and your doctor after a private exam or, if you like, attend the exam with you.
  • Help you return to work by sharing your work restrictions and job description with your employer and doctor or recommend vocational rehabilitation.
  • Speak with your doctor without you present, but only in some situations such as a medical emergency, to obtain records, or to schedule an appointment.
  • Write a report that details conversations the NCM has had with you and your doctors.
  • Assist with scheduling special appointments, if appropriate.

Vocational Rehabilitation Summary

A vocational rehabilitation professional (VRP) will:

  • Meet with you to talk about your medical and work situation as well as your specific requests for return to work or retraining and education as appropriate. This is one part of your vocational assessment.
  • Prepare an individualized written rehabilitation plan with you that makes recommendations to assist you to return to work, train for a new job, or go back to school, based on your education, skills, experience, and abilities.
  • Help you return to work with your current employer or another employer, if needed.
  • Refer you only to suitable jobs.
  • Accurately write job descriptions that list the physical requirements of a job.
  • Stop placement activities if it does not appear that a suitable job can be found for you.

Note: This is only a summary of the North Carolina Industrial Commission Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals in Workers' Compensation Cases (Rehab Rules). Nothing in this summary shall alter the meaning of the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act or the Rehab Rules.

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