Recently in Complex Care Tip Series Category

Does your claimant need disability ramping installed to access their home? Having ramping or other home modifications installed for injured workers is a big responsibility. And costly. The next time you need to purchase or install ramping for a claimant, Cara Barde, President of Total Medical Solutions, encourages you to consider the benefits of aluminum over wood:

Aluminum Ramping:

1. Maintenace Free
2. Does not rust or decay (aluminum lasts for 100+ years)
3. Easy assembly with minimum tools
4. No building permit required
5. Can easily be expanded, reconfigured or moved
6. Aluminum ramping is an asset that can be reused, resold or rented
7. Installed in less than an hour!
8. No environmental impact

Wood Ramping:

1. Requires regular maintenance
2. Will rot or decay over time
3. Must be installed by a contractor or carpenter (increases costs)
4. Requires a building permit (increases costs and time)
5. Reconfiguration must be made by demolition and reconstruction
6. No resale value; could actually lower the value of the home
7. Typical installation takes 2 to 3 days
8. Could include dangerous chemicals or applied treatments

As you can see, there are many benifits to using aluminum vs. wood disability ramping. In addition to the benefits of using aluminum ramping as outlined above, when you purchase your ramping through Total Medical Solutions, you can:

• "Bank" your aluminum ramping - when it is no longer being used by your claimant, the insurance carrier can reuse the ramping for future claimants for a substantial cost savings
• Rent aluminum ramping for temporary needs
• Reconfigure aluminum ramping sections to fit any home
• Easily move aluminum ramping to a new home if your claimant moves
• Rest assured that the aluminum ramping we sell is dependable, durable and American made

For more information about aluminum disability ramping, anytime, anywhere you need access, please contact Total Medical Solutions at 1-800-700-9393 or visit www.NewTMS.com

Are you involved in the clinical management of catastrophic claims? If so, it is important to establish a checklist to ensure you consider all the needs of the injured worker. Having a checklist will help you cover all the necessary bases and aid you in providing the right level of care.

Kevin Glennon, Vice President of Clinical Services for Total Medical Solutions, suggests the following checklist as a tool to help in the clinical management of catastrophic claims:

1. What is the level of injury and resultant deficit in functional ability?
2. What are the basic equipment needs of the injured worker?
3. What soft goods (daily supplies) are needed to complete daily living skills?
4. Are there any home modifications / accommodations that need to be implemented?
5. Identify any specific concerns that are associated with the level of disability.
6. Will the injured worker need assistance on a daily basis? If so, for how many hours? What level of home care does the patient need?
7. What are the ongoing medication needs? Will they change? If so, identify intervals for re-evaluation.
8. Is the patient obese? Consider the physical changes that may occur and be ready to adjust care / needs accordingly.
9. What clinical care partners do you need to engage to ensure the best treatment results for your patient?
10. Identify regular intervals for re-evaluating the needs of your catastrophic claim patient.

Kevin also highly recommends finding a clinical care partner that specializes in catastrophic claim management for workers' compensation patients. Total Medical Solutions coordinates case and clinical strategies to ensure the most appropriate, yet cost-effective treatment plans and results. Your clinical care provider should be an integral partner in the advancement of positive outcomes for your injured workers.

For more detailed information on the clinical management of catastrophic workers' compensation claims, contact Total Medical Solutions at 1-800-700-9393 or visit them online at www.NewTMS.com