COHN Occupational Case Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A worker sustained a repetitive strain injury and is reluctant to return to a modified duty role. Which approach is MOST effective in motivating return to work?
- Threatening to stop workers' compensation benefits
- Using motivational interviewing to explore the worker's concerns and goals (Correct answer)
- Contacting the worker's family to persuade them
- Requiring a psychiatric evaluation before any further communication
Correct answer: Using motivational interviewing to explore the worker's concerns and goals
Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based, collaborative communication technique effective in addressing ambivalence and facilitating behavior change.
Question 2: In workers' compensation case management, 'maximum medical improvement' (MMI) refers to:
- Full recovery with no residual impairment
- The point at which a worker's medical condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve further with treatment (Correct answer)
- The date on which indemnity benefits automatically terminate
- Employer certification that a worker is fit for full-duty return
Correct answer: The point at which a worker's medical condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve further with treatment
MMI is the point at which a worker's condition is medically stable and further significant improvement is not expected, regardless of whether full recovery has occurred.
Question 3: Which of the following is a PRIMARY responsibility of an occupational case manager during an onsite visit?
- Conducting disciplinary actions against supervisors
- Performing ergonomic assessments and identifying workplace hazards (Correct answer)
- Administering prescription medications to injured workers
- Negotiating labor contracts on behalf of the employer
Correct answer: Performing ergonomic assessments and identifying workplace hazards
During onsite visits, occupational case managers assess the work environment, identify hazards, and support ergonomic improvements to facilitate safe return to work.
Question 4: A case manager is developing a return-to-work plan for a worker with a shoulder injury. Which resource provides the most objective data about physical job demands?
- The worker's self-reported pain level
- A job demands analysis (JDA) (Correct answer)
- The supervisor's informal description of the job
- The Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) alone
Correct answer: A job demands analysis (JDA)
A job demands analysis provides objective, site-specific data on the physical requirements of a particular position, making it the most reliable resource for return-to-work planning.
Question 5: Which legislation primarily governs the confidentiality of an injured worker's medical information shared in occupational case management?
- OSHA Act of 1970
- HIPAA Privacy Rule (Correct answer)
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Correct answer: HIPAA Privacy Rule
HIPAA's Privacy Rule governs the confidentiality and appropriate disclosure of protected health information, including in occupational case management contexts.
Question 6: An injured worker has been approved for vocational rehabilitation. Which scenario BEST indicates a need for this service?
- A worker recovers fully and can return to their original position
- A worker has permanent restrictions that prevent return to their pre-injury occupation (Correct answer)
- A worker requests a raise before returning to work
- A worker's injury is classified as non-occupational
Correct answer: A worker has permanent restrictions that prevent return to their pre-injury occupation
Vocational rehabilitation is indicated when permanent restrictions prevent a worker from returning to their pre-injury occupation, requiring retraining or job placement in alternative work.
Question 7: When communicating case management notes in a workers' compensation file, the case manager should ensure that:
- All details including personal opinions about the worker are included
- Documentation is objective, factual, and supports continuity of care (Correct answer)
- Notes are shared only with the employer and never with the worker's attorney
- Medical details are withheld from insurance adjusters to protect privacy
Correct answer: Documentation is objective, factual, and supports continuity of care
Objective, factual documentation supports ethical case management practice, legal defensibility, and continuity of care across the workers' compensation team.
COHN Occupational Case Management 3
A worker sustained a repetitive strain injury and is reluctant to return to a modified duty role.
Which approach is MOST effective in motivating return to work?