MSU Human Resources >> Benefits >> Workers-comp >> Workers' Compensation FAQs


Workers' compensation FAQs

If you are injured on the job and medical treatment is needed, notify your supervisor of the injury. He/She is required to complete the  Authorization to Invoice MSU form . Take the completed form with you to the University designated physician for treatment. The cost of your treatment services will be billed to the Workers' Compensation office.

You must also complete the  Report of Claimed Occupational Injury or Illness form , within 24 hours of the injury. This form may be completed after medical treatment is received and must be mailed to MSU Human Resources, Workers' Compensation, 1407 S. Harrison Road, Suite 110, East Lansing, MI 48823 or faxed to (517) 432-4102.

No appointment is needed, but employees are able to check-in ahead of time at  luc123.com . You must have the  Authorization to Invoice MSU  form in order to be seen and receive treatment.

Lansing Urgent Care can fill some prescriptions at the facility in which you receive treatment. The MSU Health Care pharmacies at Olin Student Health Center and Clinical Center can be used and will bill the Workers’ Compensation Office directly. Any other local pharmacy can be used but will have to pay out –of-pocket, submit a receipt to the Workers’ Compensation Office for reimbursement.

If you need to be transported to Lansing Urgent Care or Sparrow Hospital, please call 911 in case of emergency. Non emergency situations may be transported by a supervisor or co-worker.  The workers' compensation office is continuing to research an alternative to Capital Transport.

Michigan law allows the employer to direct care during the initial stage of a workplace injury. This means that during the first 28 days of treatment, in order to qualify for Workers' Compensation, you must be seen by a physician chosen by MSU. After the initial 28 days of treatment you may change doctors, however, the law requires that you notify the Workers' Compensation office of any change by completing an  Intent to Treat form . A change in providers is subject to approval by the Workers' Compensation Office.
For bills to be considered promptly, doctors and other medical providers should submit invoices directly to the Workers' Compensation office. Approved invoices that are paid directly (by the claimant) are entitled to reimbursement. Submit your receipts to MSU Human Resources, Workers' Compensation, 1407 S. Harrison Road, Suite 110, East Lansing, MI 48823, for reimbursement.
Workers' Compensation disability is 80% of your after-tax wages based on the highest 39 weeks of the previous 52 weeks of earnings prior to your date of injury. This is considered your average weekly wage. In determining your weekly Workers' Compensation rate, your average weekly wage rate is combined with your marital status, number of dependents and tax filing status, to determine compensation.
Workers' Compensation disability income is payable if you are compensably disabled. You are considered compensably disabled as long as you are unable to do any job that was within your pre-injury qualifications and training.
Workers' Compensation benefits may continue indefinitely, provided eligibility criteria continues to be met.
An individual will lose benefits if "light duty" work is refused. To be considered "light duty" the work must add value to your department or MSU.
Workers' Compensation benefits are not subject to either state or federal income tax. This also means that there can be no deductions (such as garnishments, health care premiums, retirement contributions, etc.) taken from Workers' Compensation pay. 
Under ordinary circumstances there are no adjustments in the level of benefits received. There are a few exceptions that can apply to workers who qualify as totally and permanently disabled.
Yes, Workers' Compensation benefits are coordinated with other benefits you receive from MSU. This coordination is allowed under Michigan Statutes. Workers' Compensation benefits are reduced by the after-tax value of the other MSU benefits you receive such as retirement, Social Security and Long Term Disability.
Workers' Compensation will pay for necessary medical care for a work-related injury or illness. This includes medical, surgical, nursing and hospital services. Under certain conditions, dental care, crutches, and artificial appliances such as limbs, eyes, teeth, eyeglasses and hearing aids may be covered.
Workers' Compensation must authorize payment for necessary medical care for open and active work-related injury or illness. 
Mileage may also be reimbursed for travel to and from medical appointments at the State designated rate. For mileage reimbursement complete the  Workers' Compensation Medical Travel Reimbursement Request form .

If you are put off work or released with restrictions and your department does not have a job for you within your restrictions, you are entitled to receive Workers' Compensation for lost time. These payments start on the eighth calendar day you are off work. If you are off 14 days or more, you will be paid retroactive from your first day off.

If you are a regular employee, or a temporary employee with at least 90 days of continuous service (not a student or an on-call) you are entitled to Accident Time (this time is not deducted from your sick bank). This equals your full base wage for the first seven calendar days. If you are off 14 days or more, you will be paid retroactive from your first day off.

MSU Employee's covered by other MSU benefits such as sick leave, disability, personal leave, health care, and retirement contributions may still have access to those benefits upon the denial of a Workers' Compensation claim or until final resolution of an appeal is reached.
Your health and dental benefits will continue while you are on Workers' Compensation as long as the Employee Contribution portion (if applicable) of your monthly premiums is paid. While you remain in a pay status (using sick or vacation leave), premium deductions will continue to be taken from your paycheck. When you drop to non-pay status (leave without pay), MSU Human Resources Benefits will bill you for your insurance premium. The premium rates will be consistent with your payroll deduction amount.
Being that Workers' Compensation pay is considered non-taxable, your retirement contribution will continue while you are on Workers' Compensation as long as you are supplementing your workers' compensation with with sick/vacation/personal quotas (full workers' compensation). When those quotas are exhausted (regular workers' compensation), then all pay is ineligible for retirement contributions and those will cease. 
All persons with whom the University maintains an employer-employee relationship as determined by MSU HR Workers' Compensation Department.

If you are put off work or released with restrictions and your department does not have a job for you within your restrictions, you are entitled to receive Workers' Compensation for lost time. These payments start on the eighth calendar day you are off work. If you are off 14 days or more, you will be paid retroactive from your first day off.

If you are a regular employee, or a temporary employee with at least 90 days of continuous service (not a student or an on-call) you are entitled to Accident Time (this time is not deducted from your sick bank). This equals your full base wage for the first seven calendar days. If you are off 14 days or more, you will be paid retroactive from your first day off.

While Workers' Compensation pays a percentage of your average weekly wage, sick leave must be used to supplement your Workers' Compensation benefits. At your discretion, vacation and personal leave may also be used to help supplement your Workers' Compensation benefits.
Family Medical Leave is not an additional leave. Rather, it is used along with sick leave, vacation leave, Workers' Compensation or leave without pay.
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