Yes. If your claim is still open, you receive medical benefits even if you are working.

Workers compensation cannot pay for:

• Medical conditions not related to your workplace injury or illness.
• Treatments with benefits that cannot be measured objectively by a doctor or that continue after the worker is medically stable.
• Treatments not covered by workers comp, such as acupuncture.
• Treatment from providers who are required to join but are not enrolled in L&I’s network, other than an initial office or emergency room visit when the claim is filed.

Many injuries are treated and healed before the paperwork reaches L&I. In these cases, we may issue a single decision both authorizing medical expenses and legally closing the claim. This saves time and paperwork for everyone.

If you need treatment within 60 days after your claim was closed, you or your doctor may protest the closure of your claim.

After more than 60 days from claim closure, you and your doctor may apply to have your claim reopened so that your medical bills can be paid, as long it is for the same workplace injury.

If your claim was closed, you and your doctor may protest with in 60 days. Later than that, you and your doctor may apply to have it reopened so that your medical bills can be paid, as long it is for the same workplace injury.

Also, your doctor may refer you to a specialist (such as a surgeon or an orthopedic specialist).

You may change doctors as long as the new doctor is qualified to treat your accepted injury or illness, and has joined L&I's network if practicing within Washington State. Your request to transfer to a new doctor is subject to approval by your claim manager.

•   Transfer your care from one health-care provider to another.
•   Find a health-care provider near you.

Depending on your injury, you may have difficulty returning to work right away. Your claim manager may assign you to a vocational counselor to help develop a solution involving you, your employer and your doctor. Read more about Vocational Services.

• Your rights, benefits, and responsibilities for your claim will remain the same. Washington laws will always apply to your claim regardless of where you live.
• Many doctors and health-care providers in other states don't accept workers' compensation cases. Find a Doctor in your area.
• If you're thinking of moving out of Washington, learn what you can do to communicate with L&I and find new care.

• Use the L&I search at Find A Doctor.
• If you are unable to find a provider, talk to your claim manager. The claim manager may assign a Nurse Case Manager to help you find a doctor. Nurse Case Managers are privately employed individuals in your geographic area who receive referrals from L&I. They don't direct you to specific providers but will help you find needed health care resources. Nurse Case Managers can also help your health care provider understand what is needed by L&I.

If you are still confused by the claim process, you can call Project HELP at 1-800-255-9752. They are a cooperative effort between L&I and the Washington State Labor Council (AFL-CIO), and can provide you with one-on-one counseling to help you navigate the claims process.

Project HELP can assist you with both self-insured and state fund claims.

No. Time-loss compensation benefits can replace some — but not all — of the wages you were earning. The benefit amount is 60 to 75% of the wage you were earning (up to a limit), depending on how many dependents you have.

Find more information in the:

• Workers Guide to Industrial Insurance (F242‑104‑000) on pages 7 and 8 for L&I managed claims.
• A Guide to Industrial Insurance Benefits for Employees of Self-Insured Businesses (F207‑085‑000) on pages 4 and 5 for self-insured claims.

Because of legislation (331 KB PDF) (www.leg.wa.gov) passed in 2009, time-loss compensation benefits for new claims filed for industrial injuries or illnesses that occur on or after the effective date (December 3, 2009) by individuals in State Registered Domestic Partnerships (www.sos.wa.gov) will be calculated at the same rate as for married persons and will include benefits for any eligible dependent children. This change doesn't apply to existing claims or to new claims for industrial injuries or illnesses that pre-date the effective date.

Persons in common law marriages or in unregistered domestic partnerships aren't considered married under the workers' compensation laws. Compensation for these individuals will be calculated based on a family status of single and will include any eligible dependent children.

The child's portion of time-loss compensation benefits must be paid to the person who has legal custody of your child or children. Notify your claim manager of any change in the custody of your child or children so the benefits can be paid to the appropriate individual.

If you are eligible, and no further information is needed, your first check is mailed within 14 days from the date L&I or your self-insured employer receives notice from your doctor that you are off work.

Checks are mailed about every 2 weeks or bimonthly, as long as:

• Your doctor certifies that you cannot work (supported by objective medical findings).
• Your claim manager receives your signed Worker Verification Form (F242‑052‑000). Your self-insured employer may require you complete a similar form.

Uncashed benefit checks expire after 180 days. You can ask L&I to reissue an expired check, but only if it has been less than 2 years since the issue date. After that, you'll need to contact the Department of Revenue to file a claim for unclaimed property.

No. The IRS considers time-loss compensation to be a disability benefit, not earned income.

The current rate is $0.565 per mile.

Search for providers near you at www.FindaDoc.Lni.wa.gov. Depending on how far from your home you search, the search results will show estimated distance a little differently:

If your claim manager requests that you go to an IME, and the IME is further than 15 miles from your home, you will be reimbursed travel costs, including the first and last 15 miles of a round trip.

If you now live out-of-state, you may have to return to Washington State for an IME. If needed, L&I or your self-insured employer will pay for your transportation, lodging, meals, and wage replacement for lost wages to attend the exam.

Yes, mileage for meetings requested by your vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC) may be reimbursed, if the meeting is further than 15 miles from your home. In addition, some travel costs that are approved in your vocational plan may be reimbursed.

Yes, reasonable travel expenses may be reimbursed if you need to get your orthotic/prosthetic appliance repaired after your claim is closed. Hearing aids are not included. The appliance must be originally purchased by L&I or your self-insured employer.

You may have to travel a greater distance to receive care for your claim. If so, payment for some travel costs may be considered if the travel is pre-approved by your claim manager. You won't be paid if your claim manager doesn't pre approve your travel.

If you're thinking of moving out of Washington, learn what you can do to communicate with L&I and find new care.

This means you can still work, but your physical ability has been impaired.

No. Permanent partial disabilities are based on the degree of your impairment, not on whether you can work.

No. After the claim is closed, these benefits end (unless the claim is reopened).

Yes - you can call Project HELP at 1-800-255-9752. They are a cooperative effort between L&I and the Washington State Labor Council (AFL-CIO), and can provide you with individual claims assistance on your behalf.

Project HELP staff can assist you with both self-insured and state fund claims, but they are not attorneys and do not give legal advice.

Learn about disability awards in the Worker's Compensation Benefits (F242‑104‑000), pages 13-15.

Learn about pensions in L&I's Pension Benefits brochure (F242‑352‑000).