5.7.3 Medical Specialist and Psychiatrist RTW case conference

Policy

See: Policy for Medical Practitioners

Fee schedule

WorkSafe item codes for Specialist and Psychiatrist RTW Return to Work case conferences (based on a 30 minute meeting) are:

  • Specialist - payment code RTWCC7
  • Psychiatrist - payment code RTWCC6
Specialist and Psychiatrist RTW case conference

A Specialist and Psychiatrist RTW case conference is a face to face meeting that is requested by an Agent or ORP and held with the:

  • Specialist and Psychiatrist
  • Agent and/or ORP
  • worker and their representative (if involved) - worker must be present
  • the employer (where appropriate)
Psychiatrist case conference

A RTW case conference may be conducted via phone for regional claims.

It may be appropriate for a Psychiatrist RTW case conference to be conducted with only the psychiatrist if it is determined that it is not appropriate for the worker to participate. In these circumstances, the RTW case conference should only be conducted by experienced Agent staff such as Agent mental injury specialists or psychologists or by OR Occupational Rehabilitation. Where the RTW case conference with psychiatrist is to be conducted without worker participation, it may be conducted by phone.

Arranging a RTW case conference

Below is the process for arranging a RTW case conference with a specialist or psychiatrist.

Step Agent action
Decide if a RTW case conference with a specialist or psychiatrist is required

Determine whether a RTW case conference with a specialist or psychiatrist is likely to progress a worker’s return to work. Factors to consider include:

  • the employer has suitable duties available but there is no confirmed RTW date
  • the worker is certified as fully unfit
  • a partial return to work is not progressing or is not sustainable
  • RTW barriers/psychosocial factors are present which might be addressed with a meeting with the worker and their treating health practitioner (THP).
Arrange specialist or psychiatrist RTW case conference

The Agent arranges an appointment for the RTW case conference with the specialist or psychiatrist and the worker (and the worker’s representative, if involved). The employer and other stakeholders may also be invited as appropriate.

The worker and specialist or psychiatrist must agree to participate in the RTW case conference. If the specialist or psychiatrist or worker declines to participate, the Agent should consider other strategies to meet the RTW goal.

The Agent facilitating the specialist or psychiatrist case conference is responsible for sending the RTW case conference standard conference topics letter to the worker and THP before the RTW case conference. This letter confirms the conference time, date and location, the purpose of the case conference and the topics for discussion. It also provides information to the specialist or psychiatrist on the payment code and amount to be invoiced and what WorkSafe will pay for the RTW case conference.
Conduct specialist or psychiatrist RTW conference

An agreed action plan should be verbally confirmed by conference participants before concluding the RTW case conference.

The Agent facilitating the RTW case conference documents the agreed action plan using the RTW Case Conference Action Plan standard letter. This letter is distributed to participants within five working days of the conference.

The Agent is still required to document and distribute the action plan regardless of who organises and coordinates the RTW case conference.
Post specialist or psychiatrist RTW case conference Record the RTW case conference outcome on Novus as a case note or contact. A copy of the completed RTW Case Conference Action Plan document can be saved on Novus.
RTW case conferences by Occupational Rehabilitation providers

Occupational Rehabilitation Providers (OR providers) may also conduct and arrange RTW case conferences with treating practitioners to help facilitate RTW. ORP participation in a Specialist and Psychiatrist RTW case conference is to be invoiced using the existing OR service code for GP RTW case conference RC277.

OR providers should not conduct RTW case conferences with treating practitioners where no other OR service has been delivered or it has been more than 3 months since the last OR service concluded.

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