Work Comp - Home Recovery

 

 

A. In many cases, it may be possible for the worker to do their rehabilitation at home. Of course, this will require a tremendous commitment by the worker's family to provide services and care necessary to help the worker recover as rapidly as possible.

            Iowa law does not require that a worker stay in a nursing home if reasonable steps can be taken to help the worker spend the recuperation time at home. Obviously, recovering at home would also involve a huge savings on the overall cost of the workers' compensation case. Before making the decision to recuperate at home, an injured worker should talk to the insurance company about many additional costs that will be necessary because of the recuperation at home.

                        1. This would include getting a nurse in the home to help the worker.

 

                        2. Making provisions for modifications to the home involving such things as ramps, safety rails in the bathroom, etc.

 

                        3. Agreeing on how to handle transportation expenses, or other out-of pocket expenses that arise because of the home recovery program.

 

            In some circumstances, insurance companies will be willing to compensate family members for performing various services. For instance, if a family member is capable of changing dressings, or administering minor medical care, it would make sense for the insurance company to pay the family member directly to perform those services. However, the insurance company will have the choice as to how these costs should be paid.

            A home recovery program can have tremendous benefits to both the worker, and the insurance company. Persons considering this type of program should begin a dialogue with the insurance company to see if this is feasible. In the final analysis, the insurance company has the right to control the medical expense in cases of serious injury. In some cases, the insurance company may opt for the more expensive route of nursing home care, as opposed to home recovery care.