Policy History

Review/Revision Date: December 1, 2020

The Workers’ Compensation policy has been updated to differentiate the policy as it applies to employees with principal work locations inside and outside of Pennsylvania. The policy is also being updated to address the use of sick, vacation, or personal time during the Workers Compensation waiting period.

Purpose and Application

This policy was established to provide sick leave protection for employees in the event of loss of time or medical expenses due to work-related accidents, injuries or illnesses in compliance with the local, governing Workers’ Compensation authority.

Sponsoring Unit

Implementation of this policy is the responsibility of the Office of Risk Management. For inquiries regarding this policy, please contact the Office of Risk Management at 215.895.2149.

Statement of Policy

If an employee suffers a work-related injury requiring medical attention or which results in lost time, an employee will receive benefits in accordance with the governing Workers’ Compensation authority. The employee must report all work-related accidents or injuries to their supervisor immediately and complete the Employee Injury forms within 24 hours of the incident and forward them to the Office of Risk Management.

Any lost time as a result of a work-related injury or accident that also qualifies as a serious or chronic medical condition under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) will run concurrently with an eligible employee's available FMLA entitlement up to 12 weeks in a rolling calendar year.

During the waiting period, an employee who is out of work due to a work-related injury or illness will use available time for their scheduled workdays in the following order: sick time, then vacation time, then personal time. If an employee is approved for Workers’ Compensation benefits and entitled to a retro-active Workers’ Compensation indemnity payment, the University will credit the employee’s paid time off balance for the aforementioned time used during the waiting period. The paid time off to the employee will be considered as payments in lieu of compensation in relief of an employee’s incapacity to labor subject to any applicable credit under the governing Workers Compensation authority.

1. Employees with a principal work location of Pennsylvania
   1. If the employee sustains a work-related injury or illness during the course and scope of their employment, the employee should immediately report the injury to their supervisor.
   2. The supervisor or injured employee should access the Office of Risk Management’s website via the following link: drexel.edu/generalcounsel/insurance/WorkersComp/ to download and complete the Employee Injury Report Packet.
   3. If the injury requires medical treatment, the employee is required first to seek treatment with a University designated health care provider, referred to hereafter as a "Panel Provider" (available in the Employee Injury Report Packet, the Human Resources Department and the Office of Risk Management).
   4. The employee is required to seek treatment with a Panel Provider for ninety (90) days from the first visit. However, if the Panel Provider recommends invasive surgery, the employee is permitted a second opinion by a physician of their choice.
   5. If the second opinion differs from that of the first, the employee has the right to determine which course of treatment to follow, provided that the second opinion provides a specific and detailed course of treatment. If the employee chooses to follow the procedures designated in the second opinion, such procedures shall be performed by one of the Panel Providers for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of the second opinion visit.
   6. The employee may receive treatment from a health care provider who is not a Panel Provider if the employee is referred to one by a Panel Provider. The University will pay for the reasonable and necessary treatment rendered by the referral provider for the work-related injury or illness.
   7. During the ninety (90) day period, treatment by a non-Panel Provider will be at the employee’s expense unless the treatment involves surgery or was from a referral by a Panel Provider.
   8. Upon expiration of the prescribed period, if the employee selects a medical provider other than a Panel Provider, the employee must notify the University of their choice within five (5) days of the first visit or risk non-payment of those medical bills until proper notice is given. The University will pay for these services once notified, unless the treatment is found to be unreasonable by a Utilization Review Organization.
   9. If the employee is faced with an immediate medical emergency, s/he may secure initial assistance from an Emergency Room or any hospital or physician of their choice. Subsequent treatment must then be obtained through a Panel Provider for the first ninety (90) days from the date of the first treatment.
2. Employees with a principal work location outside of Pennsylvania
   1. If the employee sustains a work-related injury or illness during the course and scope of their employment, the employee should immediately report the injury to their supervisor.
   2. The supervisor or injured employee should access the Office of Risk Management’s website to download and complete the Employee Injury Report Packet.
   3. If necessary, the injured employee should seek medical treatment as per the local, governing Workers’ Compensation authority. Please consult the aforementioned website for more specific information regarding the local Workers’ Compensation authority. If you have a question concerning your local Workers’ Compensation authority, please contact the Risk and Claims Specialist in the Office of Risk Management.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees of the University and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “University”).

Related Information

N/A

Keywords and Definitions

Panel Provider: University designated health care provider

Appendix: Related Documents, Forms and Resources

1. drexel.edu/generalcounsel/insurance/WorkersComp/