GovDelivery: Vocational Recovery Project MythBuster #13

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Vocational Recovery Project MythBuster #13

 

Attention all vocational firm owners/managers: Please share with your staff.

L&I has created a series of communications called Vocational Recovery Project (VRP) MythBusters to provide vocational partners with up-to-date information and clarification on a variety of topics.

In this edition, VRP MythBusters offers guidance to firms interested in “pruning the branches,” or reducing the number of branch offices within a service location.

MYTH: “Having multiple branches in a service location ensures my firm receives more referrals.”

Prior to L&I implementing the firm-based referral model, claim managers considered the vocational rehabilitation counselor’s (VRC) branch office proximity to the worker when making referral assignments.

Now that referrals are made to the firm, the referral distribution model uses service location to identify which firms are eligible. Then, the firm follows the guidance in the Quality Assurance Plan to determine the most appropriate VRC to assign to the case.

The referral distribution model does not factor branch locations into a firm’s capacity or availability to take a referral. All things being equal, a firm with VRCs attached to five different branch locations in a single service location is viewed the same as if all their VRCs were attached to a single branch within that service location.

Since referral distribution no longer uses VRC branch location data, firms may reconsider the number of branches they have within their service locations. So long as the firm maintains compliance with WAC 296-19A-210 (8), the firm may select a single branch location in each service location to remain open. 

To update or remove branch locations, you can either submit a change request to Private Sector Rehabilitation Services (PSRS) or provide branch updates during the June authentication. There will not be any disruption to existing referrals when a branch office is closed.

Not a myth: We love responding to your questions and concerns, so keep them coming to VocRecoveryProject@Lni.wa.gov.