Code of Massachusetts Regulations
452 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
Title 452 CMR 4.00 - Vocational Rehabilitation
Section 4.03 - Qualifications and Standards of Providers

Universal Citation: 452 MA Code of Regs 452.4

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) Vocational rehabilitation services may be provided to injured employees only by organizations approved by OEVR as qualified providers. Requests for such approval may be submitted to OEVR by:

(a) any state vocational rehabilitation agency or employment and training agency which delivers vocational rehabilitation services or placement services to handicapped persons, or

(b) any insurer, self-insurer, or private vocational rehabilitation organization, including corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships engaged in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services or placement of handicapped persons in employment.

(2) Any such vocational rehabilitation provider shall furnish to the office of education and vocational rehabilitation certification that each rehabilitation counselor who serves workers' compensation recipients has attained any or all of the following credentials:

(a) the certified rehabilitation counselor designation or the certified disability management specialist designation;

(b) a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation and a minimum of one years work experience in vocational rehabilitation;

(c) a bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years work experience in vocational rehabilitation, unless the bachelor's degree is in vocational rehabilitation in which case the counselor shall have attained at least two years work experience in vocational rehabilitation; or

(d) licensure as a rehabilitation counselor from the board of allied mental health and human services professions.

(3) No employee of a vocational rehabilitation provider shall have primary responsibility for a workers' compensation rehabilitation case unless he or she has been approved as a qualified rehabilitation counselor pursuant to 452 CMR 4.03(2). Employees hired to serve workers' compensation rehabilitation recipients during the certification year must be approved by OEVR as qualified rehabilitation counselors prior to working such cases. Qualified providers must notify OEVR in writing of any qualified rehabilitation counselor staff changes when they occur during the certification year.

(4) Approval of a vocational rehabilitation provider shall be effective for up to one year from the date of approval. Any provider which has secured such approval may request that OEVR renew such approval. Any such renewal shall be effective for up to one year from the date of renewal. In considering whether approval or renewal is appropriate, OEVR shall determine whether the provider has:

(a) observed all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, as well as OEVR regulations and policies;

(b) accurately represented its services and credentials in reports or certifications required by OEVR, and in any advertisements;

(c) avoided conflicts of interest in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services;

(d) honored injured employees' rights to privacy; and

(e) maintained a satisfactory performance record with OEVR if applying for recertification.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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