Early Return to Work
Employees are our most valued asset, and we all rely on each other to get the job done every day. When a coworker suffers from a work-related injury or occupational disease and is unable to work, we suffer the loss of a friend, lost work production, heavier workloads on fellow employees, and the high cost of insurance that affects operations. Employees will no longer be 'lost' in the system. As soon as a health care provider releases a person to any level of work ability, we will identify alternatives in work that will allow an injured worker to return to work immediately. This not only will relieve the stress in the workplace but, more importantly, it will relieve the stress on the injured worker.
- Maintaining productivity in the workplace
- Supporting the culture of caring for our employees
- Providing a safe and timely transition back to work
- Keeping trained and experienced workers on the job
- Minimizing Workers’ compensation costs
- Will recover more quickly
- Will experience a smoother transition to regular duty
- Will maintain self-esteem in spite of the medical condition
- Will receive a regular paycheck with regular benefits
- Will maintain relationships with co-workers and management
If you have temporary positions in your agency that can temporally accommodate an injured worker who is released to transitional duty, please give Joe Hamilton a call at 444-7016.
Establishing a Return to Work Program
To receive a copy of the framework for all State agencies for developing and implementing a Return to Work Program, contact Joe Hamilton, 444-7016.
Agency Resources:
This section provides general information about effective and efficient Return to Work Program Management.
Managing a Workers' Compensation Claim
Return to Work Brochure for Employees
Agency Toolbox:
This section provides specific tools that assists state agencies in implementing their Return to Work Programs.
Medical Status Form Instructions
Transitional Duty Tracking Form
Talking to the Doctor - Return to Work Guide
Reporting an Injury
The first and most important step is making sure injured employees get the medical care they need to heal their work-related injury or occupational disease and get them back to work as soon as possible. Filing a First Report of Injury is an essential step in the return to work process. Injured employees should report an on-the-job injury as soon as it happens to an assigned staff person or supervisor and file a First Report of Injury form immediately. We strongly recommend filing within 24-hours of a reported accident.
Filing a First Report
Online First Report of Injury - The most efficient way file your First Report of Injury form is online and can be found at www.montanastatefund.com/wps/portal/FROI. Users may fill out the form and save it so their department's authorized user(s) can review, finalize, and submit the form to Montana State Fund. Authorized user(s) will need a username and password to access detailed claim information in order to submit claims to Montana State Fund.
State Agencies and Policy Numbers
User access to the online First Report of Injury reporting system is Monday thru Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Mountain Standard Time. For technical assistance call 1-800-332-6102 Ext 5050.
Telephone Reporting - Call State Fund at (800)332-6102 and a customer service specialist will complete the First Report of Injury with you over the telephone.
Paper/Hardcopy Reporting - Read the First Report of Injury Instructions and complete the First Report of Injury form. Mail or fax the form to: Montana State Fund, P.O. Box 4759, Helena, MT 59604-4759. State Fund's fax number is 406-495-5020.
For general workers compensation questions contact:
- Worker's Compensation Program - Lance Zanto, 444-5689, e-mail
- Safety and Loss Control Specialist - Stephanie Grover, 444-0122, e-mail
- Early Return to Work Specialist - Joe Hamilton, 444-7016, e-mail
