Short-term Disability and Return to Work

[charmin1976]

I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. And I'm a worrier, so I just need to vent ....
I had surgery on my hip six weeks ago for a tendon tear, which is rare. My physical therapist says that I'm not ready to return to work until we can get the muscles strengthened. (My disability has been granted thru April.) I had a doctor's appointment today, but didn't see the doc, only a physicians assistant. He said I'm "structurally" able to return to work, but if I want a week or two to get my stamina back, I can take that. I'm worried that like a PA before him, he didn't read my chart and know about the tear on top of the hip surgery, which changes rehab. I was too shocked at his recommendation to start asking questions.

I don't see the physical therapist until next Tuesday to run this by him (they're in the same office) and I know I'm going to be a bundle of nerves.

I wish I could talk to the surgeon, but when you call, the calls are answered by the physicians assistants.

My question is, can this physician assistant's recommendation screw up my disability payments? Will I have to return to work before I feel I'm able?

Thanks for any help,
Charm

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

A PA's work note will be accepted just like a Dr. If the PA gives you a work note that says "Can return to work full duty" you will need to return to work. Your employer may allow you to take additional time off but Disability will not continue to pay you if a PA or Dr. says you can return to work.

I would try to speak with the surgeon if you can.

 

[charmin1976]

No note was given to me. He told me to call the office and they would fax something. Needless to say, the call won't be made until I talk to the physical therapist. Hopefully, he can be a liaison between the doc and PT.

Charm

 

[Kellydelly]

How do you expect to get the result (extension) you are looking for if you are afraid to speak up to the PA? No ask, no get . The PA is a person, not a God, so don't be afraid to speak your mind and your concerns .

 

[Rumpus]

Don't have them fax anything until you resolve it. It should be easy enough to do. Tell the Phys. Therapist to contact the surgeon's office and relay his findings. They usually trust the physical therapist's opinions. If that doesn't work, tell the office that you need to talk to the surgeon and have his reconcile the information that you are getting from the PT and the PA.

 

[DebbieB]

Does your company have an administrator for disability? Mine does, they contact the doctor's office directly for updates.

 

[golfgal]

If the PA thinks you could use time to build up your stamina then the note should be written as a partial return to work, easing into your schedule, starting with a couple hours/day and working back up to your previous schedule. Your disability pay should work in conjunction with any money you earn working again-so if you can work 20% of your normal schedule you get paid for 20% and disability pays 80%. Not all disability contracts work this way but many do so you will need to ask your HR department if this is possible.