Schenectady, NY – In order for injured workers to expeditiously obtain appropriate care under the medical treatment guidelines (MTGs) program, all stakeholders including medical providers, attorneys, and claimants should understand the requirements of the MTG treatment categories as they relate to physical medicine and chiropractic modalities.
Physical medicine modalities, including physical and occupational therapy and chiropractic treatments, are therapeutic options that are available for the care of injured workers when provided in a manner consistent with MTG recommendations. The guidelines and regulations provide for four (4) basic MTG treatment categories: care of the initial injury; treatment requiring a variance; exacerbations; and ongoing maintenance care. Physical medicine modalities are available within each treatment category.
The Medical Director’s Office has developed an aid, “Medical Treatment Guidelines Category of Treatment Quick Reference,” to clarify the differences between MTG treatment categories. This clinical aid summarizes the prerequisites for obtaining physical medicine modalities, treatment requirements, forms to be used, and limitations on the frequency and duration of care within the categories.
NY WCB invites questions about this clinical aid or about the MTGs via email to the Medical Director’s Office at WCBMedicalDirectorsOffice@wcb.ny.gov.
Source: NY WCB