MMI

[tiretrax]

My workers compensation claim was made in the State of: Tennessee . I am currently recieving WC benifits and have undergone 2 epidurals for a lower back injury 6 mo. ago . I have one more epidural to go then a follow up. My question is that these epidurals do help for a short time, but my concearn is for the long term. Is the MMI going to show Ive improved in relieving some of the pain , but what about the future when these epidurals wear off?

[BvIA]

MMI is actually a status change, from TTD/temp total disability benefits paid, to a MMI/Mas medical improvement...that means your condition has stabilized, not that additonal treatment is not necessary.

Your treating physican will determine when you have reached that MMI status.
Should your condition change, your PTP can return you to TTD... medical treatment is availble as needed. Subject to prior authorizion by the carrier.

At MMI, you are expected to return to work, not all treatment will return you to pre injury condition. or with out pain.

[tiretrax]

Thank you for helping me understand MMI. When I am evaluated for MMI, and a rating established (EXPL. 4 percent total body imparmant) can there then be open medical for future problems?

[BvIA]

I don't know what you mean by 'future problems'... ?

The medical iln this claim covers this body part, even though the rating may be whole person. The medical is available as necessary, and reasonable on a industrial basis.

When you RTW, you could suffer a re-injury to the same area...that would/could be a new injury/claim.

can there then be open medical for future problems?

Simple answer is 'yes', more than that would be 'maybe''. Going further, depending on the circumstance "probably not'