Source: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=5220.1801
Timestamp: 2016-10-28 14:15:47
Document Index: 412298792

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 5220', 'art 5220', 'arts 5', 'art 7', 'art 1415', 'art 5218', 'arts 5220', 'art 5220', 'art 22']

5220.1801 - Minnesota Administrative Rules
Print RulesLabor and Industry DepartmentChapter 5220Part 5220.1801
5220.18005220.1802
Part 5220.1801
5220.1801 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
Prompt provision of service and assessment of progress. The assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant and any registered rehabilitation vendor providing services under a plan shall provide prompt and necessary rehabilitation services to assist a qualified employee to return to suitable gainful employment. The qualified rehabilitation consultant shall periodically assess progress toward plan objectives.
Assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant. Only the assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant, or a qualified rehabilitation consultant designated by the assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant to function in an advisory capacity to the assigned consultant, shall be involved at any given time in the employee's rehabilitation plan, except as stated in subparts 5 and 7. The assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant shall advise the insurer before involving or requesting advisory services from any other qualified rehabilitation consultant. No qualified rehabilitation consultant or qualified rehabilitation consultant firm shall provide rehabilitation services to a case that has an assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant employed by another qualified rehabilitation consultant firm. This subpart shall not apply to a qualified rehabilitation consultant acting on behalf of the reinsurance association in a monitoring or advisory capacity on a reinsurance claim file.
Objectivity. Good faith disputes may arise among parties about rehabilitation services or about the direction of a rehabilitation plan. A rehabilitation provider shall remain professionally objective in conduct and in recommendations on all cases.
Evaluation of employee by other than assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant. Except as provided in subpart 7, where retraining has been recommended, or in Minnesota Statutes, section 176.102, subdivision 13 as ordered, a rehabilitation provider is prohibited from performing an independent evaluation of an employee at any time unless litigation pursuant to part 1415.0100, is pending. If that litigation is pending, a qualified rehabilitation consultant who is not the assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant may perform an evaluation of the employee at the request of one of the parties solely for the purpose of the proceeding.
Referrals. An assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant may make recommendations for referrals to appropriate resources.
Separate roles and functions.
The roles and functions of a claims agent and a rehabilitation provider are separate. A qualified rehabilitation consultant, qualified rehabilitation consultant intern, registered rehabilitation vendor, or an agent of a rehabilitation provider, shall engage only in those activities designated in Minnesota Statutes, section 176.102, and rules adopted thereunder.
A qualified rehabilitation consultant, qualified rehabilitation consultant intern, or registered rehabilitation vendor shall not act as an advocate for or advise any party about a claims or entitlement issue. Except as permitted by item C, qualified rehabilitation consultants, qualified rehabilitation consultant interns, and registered rehabilitation vendors shall at no time in any capacity engage in any of the following activities regarding any claim for workers' compensation benefits pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 176:
determining liability or setting reserves for a claim;
authorizing or denying provision of future medical or rehabilitation services;
recommending, authorizing, or denying payment of medical or rehabilitation bills;
making recommendations about the determination of workers' compensation monetary benefits;
arranging for medical examinations not recommended by the treating doctor; or
arranging for or participating in surveillance or investigative services.
This subpart shall not prohibit a registered rehabilitation provider from engaging in the activities in item B, subitems (4) and (5), while providing medical case management services for a certified managed care plan to the extent permitted by part 5218.0760. However, a medical case manager for an employee covered by a certified managed care plan may not be the assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant for that same employee.
This subpart shall not prohibit a qualified rehabilitation consultant acting on behalf of the reinsurance association from consulting with the assigned qualified rehabilitation consultant regarding the rehabilitation plan.
Prohibited conduct. The conditions and restrictions of practice as a rehabilitation provider are contained in parts 5220.0100 to 5220.1900 and Minnesota Statutes, section 176.102. The following conduct is specifically prohibited and is also grounds for discipline:
Reporting or filing false or misleading information or a statement in connection with a rehabilitation case or in procuring registration or renewal of registration as a rehabilitation provider, whether for oneself or for another.
Conviction of a felony or a gross misdemeanor reasonably related to the provision of rehabilitation services.
Conviction of crimes against persons. For purposes of this chapter, a crime against a person means a violation of any of the following sections: Minnesota Statutes, section 609.185, 609.19, 609.195, 609.20, 609.205, 609.2112, 609.2113, 609.2114, 609.215, 609.221, 609.222, 609.223, 609.224, 609.23, 609.231, 609.235, 609.24, 609.245, 609.25, 609.255, 609.265, 609.26, 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.365, 609.498, 609.50, 609.561, 609.562, or 609.595, or Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 609.21.
Restriction, limitation, or other disciplinary action against the rehabilitation provider's certification, registration, or right to practice as a rehabilitation provider in another jurisdiction for offenses that would be subject to disciplinary action in this state, or failure to report to the department the charges which have been brought in another state or jurisdiction against the rehabilitation provider's certification, registration, or right to practice.
Failure or inability to perform professional rehabilitation services with reasonable skill because of negligence, habits, or other cause, including the failure of a qualified rehabilitation consultant to monitor a vendor or qualified rehabilitation consultant intern, or the failure of a rehabilitation provider to adequately monitor the performance of services provided by a person working at the rehabilitation provider's direction.
Engaging in conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public or demonstrating a willful or careless disregard for the health, welfare, or safety of a rehabilitation client.
Engaging in conduct with a client that is sexual or may be reasonably interpreted by the client as sexual or in any verbal behavior that is seductive or sexually demeaning to a client or engaging in sexual exploitation of a client or a former client.
Obtaining money, property, or services other than reasonable fees for services provided to the client through the use of undue influence, harassment, duress, deception, or fraud.
Engaging in fraudulent billing practice.
Knowingly aiding, assisting, advising, or allowing an unqualified person to engage in providing rehabilitation services.
Engaging in adversarial communication or activity. Adversarial communication includes, but is not limited to:
requesting or reporting information not directly related to an employee's rehabilitation plan;
deliberate failure or delay to report to all parties pertinent information regarding an employee's rehabilitation including, but not limited to, whether the employee is a qualified employee as defined in part 5220.0100, subpart 22;
misrepresentation of any fact or information about rehabilitation; or
failure to comply with an authorized request for information about an employee's rehabilitation.
Providing an opinion on settlement and recommending entering into a settlement agreement.
Making a recommendation about retirement; however, a rehabilitation provider may assist an employee in contacting resources about a choice of retirement or return to work.
Failure to take due care to ensure that a rehabilitation client is placed in a job that is within the client's physical restrictions.
Failure to maintain service activity on a case without advising the parties of the reason why service activity might be stopped or reduced.
Failure to recommend plan amendment, closure, or another alternative when it may be reasonably known that the plan's objective is not likely to be achieved.
Unlawful discrimination against any person on the basis of age, gender, religion, race, disability, nationality, or sexual preference, or the imposition on a rehabilitation client of any stereotypes of behavior related to these categories.
Professional competence. Rehabilitation providers shall limit themselves to the performance of only those services for which they have the education, experience, and qualifications.
Rehabilitation providers shall accurately represent their level of skill and competency to the department, the public, and colleagues.
Rehabilitation providers shall not administer or interpret tests without proper training, experience, or credentials. Administration of tests must be supervised by a person who is so trained, experienced, or credentialed.
A rehabilitation provider shall understand the areas of competence of other professional persons with whom the rehabilitation client establishes relationships, and act with due regard for the needs, privileged nature, special competencies, and obligations of colleagues and other professionals and not disparage their qualifications.
Impaired objectivity. A rehabilitation provider shall not use alcoholic beverages, medication, or controlled substances in a manner that impairs the provider's ability to perform the rehabilitation services.
Rehabilitation providers shall not use a professional relationship to further personal, religious, political, or financial interests, although adherence to ethical norms shall not be construed as personal or religious interest.
A rehabilitation provider must not undertake or continue a professional relationship in which the objectivity of the provider is or would be impaired due to a familial, social, emotional, economic, supervisory, or political interpersonal relationship.
The rehabilitation provider shall disclose any potential conflicts of interest to the parties to the case and their attorneys.
Adjudication of a rehabilitation provider as mentally incompetent, mentally ill, chemically dependent, or dangerous to the public by a court in any state is grounds for suspension or revocation of registration.
History: 8 SR 1777; 9 SR 1478; 16 SR 2520; 17 SR 3361; 29 SR 1480; L 2014 c 180 s 9