Modified duty is a BIG step and an important therapeutic tool on the road to faster recovery. Your ecovery team will work with you and your employer and doctor to identify modified duty opportunities that will help you return to total wellness and productivity.

The benefits are many:

• Get back to work faster. Studies show that injured workers who use modified duty usually return to their regular jobs faster than those who don’t use modified duty.
• Stay connected. Modified duty keeps you connected to co-workers and friends. It also keeps your job skills sharp.
• Maintain your finances. If your modified duty job pays less than your pre-injury job, you may be entitled to a percentage of the pay difference.
• Get motivated. Modified duty improves your mood and motivates you throughout your recovery. Family, co-workers and friends will respect your determination to return to work and wellness.

Through industry-leading medical care management programs and strategic partnerships, ecovery helps provide excellent service to injured workers through:

Preferred Provider Networks

A unique clinical approach that focuses on effective treatment and quality outcomes

• Providers are selected for their quality, range of services and geographic location
• A network of preferred providers is available for physical and occupational therapy, chiropractic and MRI services

Medical Case Management

Focused medical expertise for complex or serious claims

• An extensive network of case management partners is selected for their expertise and successful outcomes
• A claims professional and medical case manager will manage the claim together

Pharmacy Card Program

A proactive approach to medication management

• Injured employees receive a pharmacy card to obtain covered prescriptions
• No out-of-pocket expenses are incurred for injured workers
• Most common workers’ compensation medications are covered

Every day, ecovery demonstrates that employees are valuable company assets – not replaceable resources. It also reinforces the employer’s commitment to the wellbeing of employees.

By receiving valuable support and guidance throughout their recovery journey, employees know their return to wellness will make a difference – not only to them, but also to those around them.

Eastern is here to provide you with the resources and the inspiration you need to succeed.

Want someone to lead you? We’ll be there.

Need someone to challenge you? We’ll be there.

Just looking for someone to be by your side? We’ll be there!

Because that’s the “Eastern Way”. 

• Visit the ecovery Resource Page
• Contact your ecovery Claim Representative
• Download the ecovery Glossary

Report injuries immediately

Report ALL injuries to your employer and immediate supervisor or safety manager as soon as they happen – even if you believe you will not need medical treatment.

ANY work-related injury matters!

You may think your injury will get better after a few days of rest and there is no need to tell your employer. However, it is still important that you immediately notify them of any work-related injury or accident, regardless of how serious – or small – the injury is.

The sooner we know about your injury, the sooner your ecovery team can implement a proactive plan to help you return to wellness.

• Your employer will report the injury to Eastern by filing a claim, and your claim will be assigned a claim number and a Claim Representative. Your employer will give you the claim number and Work Status Report form to take to your doctor or hospital.

• Your Claim Representative will contact you to go over the details of the claim and any benefit information. Keep your claim number and Claim Rep contact information in a secure and accessible place, like your wallet.

• Your employer will tell you whether there is a specific list of doctors from whom you are required to receive medical treatment (sometimes referred to as a “medical panel”). When you go for treatment, give the provider your employer information, your claim number and the insurance carrier’s information.

• There is no co-payment or deductible for you to pay. Sometimes, providers will bill the patient if they do not have your claim information. If you receive a bill, it is likely that your Claim Representative has not received the bill.

• If you do receive any bills, call the billing department listed on your bill and give them your claim information. Or, you can send the bill to your Claim Representative. Make sure to write your claim number on any correspondence you send.

Follow-up treatment

Your provider will determine whether there is a need for any additional follow-up treatment, prescription medications or any type of work restrictions. Give the provider the Work Status Report form for completion. This is proof of any type of disabilities you may have or restrictions you are given. Give this to your employer and ask them for a copy.

Work restrictions

Your employer should also send a copy to your Claim Representative. After each subsequent appointment, you should get your work status.

• Obtain a Work Status Report form at every doctor appointment and provide a copy to Human Resources.
• Keep HR and your immediate supervisor informed of any change in your work-related restrictions.
• Follow all restrictions and recommendations prescribed by your doctor.
• Question any medical directives and restrictions you don’t understand.
• Do NOT perform activities that are outside of your prescribed restrictions, both at work and home.
• Attend all appointments! When possible, schedule appointments outside of work hours or over your lunch break.

NOTE: Failure to adhere to any work-related restrictions may result in disciplinary action.

If you injure yourself at work, follow these tips to make your claim process go as smoothly as possible:

• Report your injury. Be sure to immediately report your injury to your supervisor or safety manager.
• Be prepared. Expect to be asked about the events that led to your injury.
• Complete your paperwork. When requested by your employer and/or insurance provider, fill out all necessary forms.
• Communicate. Stay in contact with your employer and Claim Representative so they know that your recovery is progressing or that you are having problems.
• Follow instructions. Always follow the advice and treatments recommended by your doctor.
• Ask questions. Communicate with your supervisor, Claim Representative or Nurse Case Manager if you have questions or concerns about the treatment you’re receiving.
• Stay organized. Keep a folder with pen and paper so you can make notes and keep track of important paperwork.
• Remain focused. Your goal is to return to wellness and work! Always stay focused and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
• Stay positive. Being injured can bring you down – but a positive attitude will greatly impact your journey back to work, wellness, and productivity.

From the moment your claim is reported, ecovery’s Return to Wellness philosophy is linked to every step of our process.

From start to finish, here’s how the recovery journey works:

1 – EMPLOYER REPORTS CLAIM AND A CLAIM REP IS ASSIGNED: Your employer reports the claim to Eastern, and a Claim Representative is assigned. Prompt reporting is very important to the process so Eastern can begin managing the claim properly.

2 – MEDICAL TREATMENT BEGINS: The injured worker will seek medical attention, and treatment begins. If a medical provider panel is in place, you may need to sign an acknowledgment form prior to treatment (except in an emergency situation).

3 – CLAIM WORK IS INITIATED: Eastern initiates a three-point claim investigation. You will be contacted, along with your employer and medical provider.

4 – WEEKLY WAGE BENEFITS ARE SET UP: Eastern obtains wage information to determine the amount of weekly wage benefits the injured worker will receive. Reserves are developed based on disability and medical diagnosis, treatment plan and the employer’s ability to offer modified duty. Eastern investigates any viable subrogation possibilities.

5 – ABILITY TO WORK IS ADDRESSED: The medical provider addresses your ability to work by reviewing your employer’s pre-injury job description and proposed modified duty job description. Your employer will utilize the ecovery modified duty task lists and the restrictions provided by the treating physician to develop a modified duty job offer.

6 – MODIFIED DUTY/RETURN TO WORK STARTS: The injured worker returns to work to perform modified duty within the physician’s restrictions. The injured worker continues to recover – receiving the physical, financial and psychological benefits of returning to modified duty.

7 – MEDICAL TREATMENT CONTINUES: Additional medical treatment continues, as appropriate, and the treating physician periodically re-evaluates the injured worker’s work capabilities.

8 – RISK MANAGEMENT IS ASSESSED: Your designated risk management consultant reviews the accident information and will make recommendations to prevent future injuries.

9 – WORK RELEASE/RESTRICTIONS ARE DETERMINED: The injured worker is eventually either released to his/her pre-injury job without restrictions or is given permanent restrictions. The outcome is influenced by a variety of factors, including jurisdiction, job availability, the claim details and other considerations.

10 – ADDITIONAL BENEFITS ARE PAID: Any additional benefits due are paid and the claim is brought to resolution.