Q-COMP

If I indicate I don't want to be consulted about my patient's rehabilitation, who takes on this role?

The insurer willl arrange a provider such as an occupational physician, physiotherapist or occupational therapist. You can nominate a particular provider on the medical certificate, or contact the insurer.

What are employers' responsibilities for suitable duties programs?

An employer must take all reasonable steps to help or provide their workers with rehabilitation and suitable duties while they are being paid compensation, including:

• developing a suitable duties program in consultation with the worker on rehabilitation.
• keeping the program and any amendments consistent with the current medical certificate or report for the worker's injury
• documenting what are meaningful suitable duties that meet the objective of the worker's rehabilitation
• giving the insurer a copy of the suitable duties program
• regularly reviewing the suitable duties and progressively upgrading the program consistent with the worker's recovery.

Employers can engage a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator (or RRTWC) to do this for them.

What if the employer has no suitable duties available at the workplace?

Because the employer must take all reasonable steps to help or provide suitable duties for their injured worker, they need to discuss this with the insurer. The medical certificate describes the injured worker's work capacity, so the lack of availability of suitable duties does not affect the worker's compensation benefits. The insurer and the employer will work together to provide opportunities such as host employment for the injured worker to complete their rehabilitation.

How do I lodge a claim review?

You can lodge a claim review by completing Form 542.3 Application for review. For more information on applying for a claim review read our guide to what you need to know.

Can I apply for a review of my premium?

In certain cases you can have the premium decision made by WorkCover Queensland reviewed by Q-COMP if you disagree with:

• the WorkCover Industry Classification that has been used to calculate your premium; or

• certain individuals being identified as workers for the purpose of calculating your premium; or

• a reassessment of premium for this financial year or any of the three previous financial years

• a penalty charged to you (after you have contacted WorkCover to waive or reduce the penalty); or

• a default assessment issued to you (after you have contacted WCQ to advise that you disagree with the assessment); or

• additional premium charged to you (after you have contacted WCQ to waive or reduce the additional premium)

If you are unsure about what has caused the increase in your premium please contact WorkCover on 1300 362 128 or visit their website www.workcoverqld.com.au

To lodge an application for a premium review complete Form 542P Application for policy/premium review. For more information read our guide to what you need to know.

What are medical assessment tribunals?

Sometimes injured workers need to go to a medical assessment tribunal as part of their workers' compensation claim.

Medical assessment tribunals are run by Q-COMP's Tribunal Secretariat and involves an independent panel of doctors who make decisions about a work-related injury.

The decisions could be about a worker's ability to work, any degree of permanent impairment and any disfigurement as a result of their injury.

For more information regarding medical assessment tribunals, click here.

How do I take out workers' compensation insurance?

Queensland employers must take out an accident insurance policy with WorkCover Queensland, unless they are a self-insured employer. This accident insurance policy insures them against the cost of conpensating a worker who has a work-related injury or illness.

How do I appoint a RRTWC?

There are two options when appointing a RRTWC for your company:

1. have a staff member undertake the nationally recognised course - 30782QLD Course in Functioning as a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator.
   This course is delivered by Registered Training Organisations (RTO) who have been licensed by Q-COMP.
2. Outsource the role

Once you have either had a staff member trained in the role and registered with us, or outsourced the role to a registered RRTWC notify us by email by rehab@qcomp.com.au

For more information regarding the responsibilities of a RRTWC or to see if you are required to appoint one click here.

What are medical assessment tribunals?

Medical assessment tribunals are run by Q-COMP's Tribunal Secretariat and involves an independent panel of doctors who make decisions about a worker's work-related injury.

The decisions could be about a worker's ability to work, any degree of permanent impairment and any disfigurement as a result of their injury.

For more information on medical assessment tribunals, click here.

Who's on the medical assessment tribunal panel?

Medical assessment tribunals are with a panel of three or five specialist doctors.

The doctors are independent to the insurer and every effort is made to ensure a worker won't see a doctor who has treated them previously.

For more information on medical assessment tribunals, click here.

FAQs about nurse practitioners for Insurers

Can a certificate from a nurse practitioner be accepted by the insurer as return to work for an injured worker?

Yes - In s136 (3) of the WCRA it states that the worker must notify the insurer of their return to work.  This notice may be from a doctor's certificate.  There are other ways that workers may notify the insurer of return to work and these include: via telephone, employer notification, written letter/email or as notified on the nurse practitioner certificate.

Regarding reinstatement of an injured worker (s232D), can a nurse practitioner certificate be used instead of a doctor's certificate?

No, the injured worker must provide a certificate from a registered medical practitioner.

For damages claims in s275 of the Act (and s111(d) of the Reg.) it doesn't mention workers providing authority regarding nurse practitioner information - what happens if the worker has seen a nurse practitioner?

In s275(7)(c) any documents relevant to the claim from a nurse practitioner would be included in the description of a "provider of treatment or rehabilitation services".  Nurse Practitioners are considered providers of treatment in this section of the Act.  (This is also the case in s111(d)(e) of the Reg.)

In s89 of the Reg. a Nurse Practitioner isn't listed as an option for treatment arranged by an employer.  What would happen if the worker sees a Nurse Practitioner in this situation?

The Reg. states that if the employer arranges treatment (with WorkCover's consent) it may be with a doctor, hospital or institution.  Nurse practitioners would work for either a doctor, hospital or institution and therefore any treatment they provided is acceptable under the Reg.

If the worker needs a rehabilitation and return to work plan can this be developed by a Nurse Practitioner?

No - the Nurse practitioner workers' compensation certificate does not include information for developing suitable duties plans.  If a worker needs a plan developed they need to see a doctor (as detailed in s104 of the Reg.).

What is the process for filing an appeal?

An appeal can only be started by filing a written Notice of Appeal in person, by post or by fax with the Industrial Magistrates Courts or the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC). For the complete process see Filing an appeal on a claims matter.

Where can I find workers' compensation appeals decisions?

How do I access information on behalf of my client?

If you need access to a client's Injury Payment Profile (IPP) you must lodge a request through Q-COMP. For information on how to request this see Apply for an Injury Payment Profile (IPP).

If you are looking for information about Q-COMP, we encourage you to look for it in our publication scheme or information disclosure log. If you can't find it there see How do I access information for other options.

How do I order more workers' compensation medical certificates?

You can order online direct from the printers, via fax to (07) 3888 3546 using our order form or via telephone on (07) 3888 2488.

If I indicate I don't want to be consulted about my patient's rehabilitation, who takes on this role?

The insurer willl arrange a provider such as an occupational physician, physiotherapist or occupational therapist. You can nominate a particular provider on the medical certificate, or contact the insurer.

What are employers' responsibilities for suitable duties programs?

An employer must take all reasonable steps to help or provide their workers with rehabilitation and suitable duties while they are being paid compensation, including:

• developing a suitable duties program in consultation with the worker on rehabilitation.
• keeping the program and any amendments consistent with the current medical certificate or report for the worker's injury
• documenting what are meaningful suitable duties that meet the objective of the worker's rehabilitation
• giving the insurer a copy of the suitable duties program
• regularly reviewing the suitable duties and progressively upgrading the program consistent with the worker's recovery.

Employers can engage a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator (or RRTWC) to do this for them.

What if the employer has no suitable duties available at the workplace?

Because the employer must take all reasonable steps to help or provide suitable duties for their injured worker, they need to discuss this with the insurer. The medical certificate describes the injured worker's work capacity, so the lack of availability of suitable duties does not affect the worker's compensation benefits. The insurer and the employer will work together to provide opportunities such as host employment for the injured worker to complete their rehabilitation.

Do I get paid for completing the workers' compensation medical certificate?

No. The current legislation does not allow insurers to pay medical practitioners for completing a workers' compensation medical certificate. The increased consultation fee levels take into account the completion of the medical certificate.

How do I become a RRTWC?

To be a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator in Queensland you must complete a nationally recognised training course delivered by a Registered Training Organisation that is licensed by Q-COMP.

For more information on becoming a RRTWC, click here.

How do I maintain my RRTWC registration?

We have streamlined our RRTWC registration process by allowing you to register, renew, update your details or reprint your certificate all from one convenient place.

For more information on renewing your RRTWC registration, click here.

How do I apply to become a RRTWC if I trained in Victoria or NSW?

You may be eligible to register as a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator in Queensland if you have qualified as a return to work coordinator in New South Wales or Victoria.

To register, you will need to successfully complete the Queensland module-either by yourself or by attending a face-to-face course with a training provider in New South Wales or Victoria.

For more information, click here.

How do I lodge a review?

You can lodge a review online using our Application for Review e-form or by completing Form 542.3 Application for review. For more information on applying for a review read our guide to what you need to know.

What is the timeframe for applying for a review?

Within three months of receiving your insurer's notice - if the notice doesn't state the reasons, you have 20 days to ask your insurer for their reasons. Find out more regarding the review process.

Can I appeal a Q-COMP decision?

Yes, if you are unhappy with Q-COMP's review decision on a statutory claim, you can appeal to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (or for review decisions on an employer's premium to the Industrial Magistrates Court) within 20 business days of receiving our decision. For more information on appealing a review decision see our step by step guide.

How do I lodge an appeal?

File your written Notice of Appeal with the Industrial Registry of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in Brisbane (or in relation to premium decisions, with the Industrial Magistrates Court nearest your place of business or at a Court agreed with Q-COMP) - send a copy to Q-COMP within 10 days of filing. For more information on appealing a review decision see our step by step guide.

Why have I been referred to a medical assessment tribunal?

There are a few possible reasons - for example there may be differing medical opinions about your injury, or questions about whether there is an ongoing incapacity. It could be that the degree of permanent impairment from your injury needs to be assessed. Ask your insurer to explain it to you if you're not sure why you've been referred.

How does workplace rehabilitation work?

It's about helping you keep your valuable work skills so you can go back to the job you had before you were injured or another suitable job. Workpklace rehabilitation can involve a suitable duties program, on-the-job training for new job skills and special help if you are severely injured.

How do I lodge a workers' compensation claim?

To lodge a workers' compensation claim you will need to contact your employer's insurer, which in most cases will be WorkCover Queensland.

Contact WorkCover Queensland on 1300 362 128 or lodge your claim with them online.

If your employer is self-insured, contact your employer's workers' compensation unit.