New York State Medical Treatment Guidelines for Therapy:

The New York State workers compensation board has developed these guidelines to help physicians, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals provide appropriate treatment for Therapy: Ongoing Maintenance Care.

These Workers Compensation Board guidelines are intended to assist healthcare professionals in making decisions regarding the appropriate level of care for their patients with ankle and foot disorders. The guidelines are not a substitute for clinical judgement or professional experience. The ultimate decision regarding care must be made by the patient in consultation with his or her healthcare provider.

Therapy: Ongoing Maintenance Care is Recommended in select patients as clinically indicated

Indications: Specific objective goals should be identified and measured in order to support the need for ongoing maintenance care.

In specific circumstances, to maintain functional status, without which an objective decline in function has already been seen and noted in the patient’s medical file.

• To establish the necessity for continuing maintenance treatment, specific objective goals should be set and measured.

• To determine whether therapeutic goals can be upheld in the absence of clinical interventions, longer and longer therapeutic withdrawal trials will be tried.

• A trial without maintenance therapy should start within a year and every year after that.

• An ongoing patient self-management programme carried out by the patient on a regular basis and a self-directed pain management programme started as required should be included in the treatment of chronic knee symptoms:

• To encourage physical activity and/or work activities despite persistent pain, with the aim of preserving function, a continuous clinically appropriate self-management programme should be implemented. This programme is typically independent, home-based, and self-directed, and it is developed jointly by the provider and patient.

• A self-directed pain management plan should be created in addition to the self-management programme so that the patient can start it if their symptoms get worse and their ability to function declines.

• Reinstatement of continuing maintenance may be acceptable if a decline in ability to maintain function is proven.

• After the MMI determination, the maximum number of visits per year is 10, provided that the preservation of functional status is objectively documented. There can be no deviation from the maximum frequency.

The New York Non-Acute Pain Medical Treatment Guidelines provide guidelines for Functional Maintenance Care, which include Ongoing Maintenance Care as one of their components.

What our office can do if you have workers compensation injuries

We have the experience to help you with their workers compensation injuries. We understand what you are going through and will meet your medical needs and follow the guidelines set by the New York State Workers Compensation Board.

We understand the importance of your workers compensation cases. Let us help you navigate through the maze of dealing with the workers compensation insurance company and your employer.

We understand that this is a stressful time for you and your family. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us so we will do everything we can to make it as easy on you as possible.