Term Of The Day – Maximum Medical Improvement
In most cases, Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is assigned by a treating physician when an injured employee’s condition has stabilized to the point that no major change is expected in his medical condition, despite continuing medical treatment. After MMI is assigned, the payment of temporary workers’ comp benefits may be suspended. To resolve a workers’ comp claim, the claimant must reach MMI.
MMI is one of the (if not the) most important part of a Workers Comp claim, The three considerations at time of MMI are:
- Return to work (RTW)
- Permanent Partial Disability Rating (PPD)
- Future medical treatment
There are more persons involved in the MMI consideration than the Doctor. Inputs on MMI to the Doctor can come from:
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Pharmacist
- Employer – indirectly
- Rehab Nurse
The goal of the claims adjuster and a basic insurance theme is to make the person “whole again”. Many insurance carriers have charts that predict the length of disability to MMI. These are helpful, but not 100% accurate.
Every injured worker will heal differently from an accident. That is why “automatic claim reserves” are not that accurate.
Maximum Medical Improvement is the first step in the claims final resolution.
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