Injury management consultants (IMCs) should be used to provide expert advice and assistance regarding a worker’s recovery at/ or return to work.
An IMC is a registered medical practitioner experienced in occupational injury and workplace-based rehabilitation. An IMC can help progress a worker’s recovery at/return to work through communication with the Nominated Treating Doctor and other stakeholders as required.
Referral to an IMC is appropriate when a worker is identified as at risk of delayed recovery or there is a specific return to work or injury management issue.
An IMC helps the nominated treating doctor, worker, insurer and employer progress a worker’s recovery at/return to work and optimise health and work outcomes. An IMC is to assess the situation, examine the worker (if necessary), and discuss possible solutions with all parties (specifically the nominated treating doctor). IMCs are not involved in the treatment of a worker, though they may comment on treatment in respect to recovery at/return to work. The IMC may also visit the workplace.
The worker and the nominated treating doctor are to be provided with information about the role of the IMC and the consultation process.
An IMC does not provide an opinion on causation or liability; or undertake a functional capacity evaluation or work capacity assessment for the insurer (see Part 6 of the Workers compensation guidelines).
The insurer is to undertake a work capacity assessment in accordance with section 44A of the 1987 Act and Part 5 of the Workers compensation guidelines. The insurer may consider information from the IMC report for the purposes of conducting a work capacity assessment.
Consultation with an IMC is not an examination under section 119 of the 1998 Act (therefore, there is no impact on benefits or entitlements under this section if the worker elects not to participate).