What's New for Vocational Counselors

Nicole, Brian, and Krista are active members in the vocational community, with connections to IARP, IMG, and WSIA. They are leaders in their industry, and we look forward to their ideas as we collaborate and explore improvements in 2025.

The committee now has 14 vocational firm representatives and 16 staff from L&I’s Return to Work Partnerships program and Claims. VRAC’s mission is to identify, prioritize, and take action to elevate vocational services within the Washington workers’ compensation system.

For questions, email the Vocational Recovery Project.

Employer incentives go up in 2025

Dec. 23, 2024

Effective Jan. 1, 2025:

Pre-Job Accommodations benefits increase to $10,000 per claim for all dates of injury.
Job Modification benefits increase to $10,000 per claim for all dates of injury.
Stay at Work benefits increase for claims with a date of injury on or after Jan. 1, 2025:

50% of wages for 120 working days (maximum of $25,000)
$5,000 for tools and equipment
$2,000 for training
$1,000 for clothing

Preferred Worker Program benefits increase for claims with a date of injury on or after Jan. 1, 2025:

50% of wages for 120 working days (maximum of $25,000)
$5,000 for tools and equipment
$1,000 for clothing
$25,000 after 12 months of continuous employment

Updated Self-Insurance Vocational Reporting Form (SIVRF)

Dec. 23, 2024

L&I’s Self-Insurance Vocational Reporting Form (SIVRF) has been updated. This form is a cover sheet for self-insured vocational recommendations submitted to the department. We ask vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs) to help self-insured employers complete the updated form.

What’s new?

Added new section for Skill Enhancement Training (SET) requests.
Removed RTW1 and ATW1 outcomes.
Added descriptions to clarify when to submit the form.
New entry field includes the date an Option 2 selection was received.

Please use the updated form immediately. Prior versions of the form will be accepted until March 31, 2025.

Questions? Email PSRS@lni.wa.gov.

New on-demand telephonic interpretation system available January 2, 2025

Dec. 20, 2024

L&I’s interpreter services vendor SOSi will launch their phone line “WordBridge On-Demand” on January 2, 2025. This phone line supports medical and vocational providers with their on-demand telephonic interpretation needs 24/7, every day of the year.

WordBridge On-Demand will eventually replace CTS Language Link. CTS Language Link will continue to be available until February 28, 2025. However, providers are encouraged to use WordBridge On-Demand as soon as possible after January 2 to ensure a smooth transition. This overlap in services will help ensure on-demand telephonic services without interruption.

Information for Medical and Vocational Providers

Providers will be able to validate claim eligibility before interpreter services are initiated to ensure payment for interpretation services. Only L&I providers treating Washington state fund, self-insured, and crime victim patients may access the WordBridge on-demand services. For all other claims, please coordinate with the insurer to obtain interpreter services.

You must be registered in WordBridge in order to access on-demand telephonic interpretation services. SOSi will send an email to all scheduling staff authorized in WordBridge with your organization’s WordBridge account ID, which will be required in order request on-demand interpretation services.

WordBridge On-Demand Provider User Guide

Visit the L&I website for WordBridge registration instructions or email the Interpreter Services program: Interpretation@Lni.wa.gov.

Information for Language Access Providers (LAPs)

WordBridge On-Demand will provide flexibility for LAPs who make a meaningful difference and impact the lives of the L&I providers and Limited English Proficient workers and crime victims we serve.

Visit WordBridge.io for registration instructions, training videos, and a reference guide.

If you have any questions or need assistance with registration, please reach out to SOSi help desk at 1-888-224-0126 or via email Support@wordbridge.io.

New! Skill Enhancement Training Billing Guide

Dec. 18, 2024

A new Skill Enhancement Training (SET) Billing Guide is available for training providers when billing for SET services.

Vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs) are encouraged to direct training providers to this resource and help them understand the requirements and timelines for billing SET courses.

For questions, email Vocational Recovery Project.

Update! Intern Supervisor Expectations Form

Dec. 11, 2024

L&I and the Vocational Recovery Advisory Committee (VRAC) have updated the Vocational Intern Supervisor Expectations Form. This form outlines the skills interns need in order to meet L&I’s expectations as they complete their internship.

The updated form must be completed and submitted by Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, to Private Sector Rehabilitation Services (PSRS) at PSRS@Lni.wa.gov.

The updated form includes new topics and resources to reorganize the order of information, and to align the skills with each specific referral type. This form is only required for interns assisting with State Fund referrals.

The intern supervisor should:

Complete and sign this form with intern’s signature, every six months of the internship.
Initial and date each skill the intern has successfully demonstrated.

If you have questions or concerns, please email VocRecoveryProject@Lni.wa.gov.

Payment Policy Update - Skill Enhancement Training

Dec. 9, 2024

Sharing important payment policy information about Skill Enhancement Training.

Effective January 1, 2025, workers who qualify may choose to use this incentive when they are in a qualifying vocational referral and have been assigned a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

See the updated to MARFS Chapter 30: Vocational Services and our Updates and Corrections page for details.

Questions? Email the Vocational Recovery Project.

New! Skill Enhancement Training resources

Dec. 2, 2024

New resources about Skill Enhancement Training (SET) will soon be available on L&I’s website. The new resources include:

SET Guidelines for Vocational Providers
SET Application (current version - updates coming soon)
Narrative Report

As a reminder, L&I is not accepting SET applications until Jan. 1, 2025.

For questions, email the Vocational Recovery Project.

How to prevent therapy authorization delays and payment denials

Dec. 2, 2024

2^nd set Physical and Occupational Therapy Visits for State Fund Claims:

Are you seeking authorization for visits 13-24 (2^nd set)? Send in our updated L&I Service Authorization Request form. These are processed by our Provider Hotline (PHL).
PHL will now be responsible for addressing and sharing the decision for ALL 2^nd set and date extension requests.
Send in your 2^nd set request early if you know you will need more than the initial 12 visits, and you have an active referral.
Know the claim visit count to determine how to seek authorization. To verify the current count, call our automated line at 800-831-5227. The line will also provide claim contacts, claim status, and billing status.
Find PHLs current authorization processing date on their page.
Complete and submit your monthly progress report on our required Physical Medicine Progress Report
Fax your progress reports as well as your other clinical documentation to the L&I claim file at 360-902-4567. (Initial evaluation, discharge summary, daily chart notes, and flow sheets)
Bill us for authorized services without delay.
Need a 2^nd set date extension? Fax us the original approved form with your new ending date.

See our Provider Hotline page and Physical, Occupational, and Massage Therapy page for more information.

Questions related to authorization or billing, contact PHL by:

Emailing PHL@Lni.wa.gov or
Scheduling a phone call appointment.

Adoption Notification: Vocational Rehabilitation, Stay-at-Work, and Preferred Worker

Nov. 27, 2024

We have completed rulemaking and adopted the proposed rules regarding the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Stay-at-Work Program, and Preferred Worker Program.

The changes to these rules implement Substitute House Bill 2127 (SHB 2127), Chapter 90, Laws of 2024, which increased reimbursements and incentives for the Stay-at-Work Program, the Preferred Worker Program, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

We held a public hearing on November 12, 2024, to receive comments on proposed rule changes. We did not receive any comments during the hearing or the comment period.

The rule changes were adopted on November 19, 2024, as they were proposed, and will become effective January 1, 2025.

If you need additional information or have questions concerning the hearing, please contact Sarah Moran at 360-902-6362 or Sarah.Moran@Lni.wa.gov.

Melissa Sutherland retires

Nov. 21, 2024

Join us in congratulating Melissa Sutherland on her retirement!

Melissa retired on Oct. 31, 2024, after 13 years at L&I. Melissa served as a Vocational Services Specialist (VSS) and VSS Supervisor.

During her time at L&I, Melissa was a positive force for change. She championed worker’s needs and helped them overcome vocational barriers. She loved helping workers access their benefits. Melissa was a collaborative leader who built great relationships with the vocational community. She helped create the vocational firm feedback list and the monthly VSS activity report to provide data and support transparency.

She is ready to spend time in her garden, play with her cat and new puppy, and take long walks with her husband. Congratulations, Melissa! We will miss you.

Check out the updated VSS contact list for assignment information.

New Chief of Return to Work Partnerships

Nov. 20, 2024

We are excited to announce that Caitlyn Jekel has joined L&I as the new Chief of Return to Work Partnerships. Caitlyn succeeds Kirsta Glenn, who recently accepted a new role as the Assistant Deputy Director of Insurance Services.

Caitlyn has 15 years of diverse experience working in Washington State government. Her experience includes direct service delivery and policy, with a focus on return-to-work and social insurance programs.

In her prior roles, she promoted economic stability, job retention, and workers’ rights. Caitlyn has built strong relationships across the public and private sectors. She successfully navigates the interests of business, labor, community, and the Legislature to achieve positive results.

In her most recent executive leadership roles, Caitlyn served in the Office of the Governor and the Employment Security Department. She oversaw programs that involved workers’ compensation, social insurance, wage and hour laws, health and safety regulations, human resources, collective bargaining, employment standards, paid sick leave, and long-term care tax.

Caitlyn supports Washington’s commitment to improve return-to-work opportunities for people injured on the job. She looks forward to connecting with the Vocational Recovery Advisory Committee (VRAC) and that larger vocational community.

Please help us welcome Caitlyn and congratulate her and Kirsta on their new roles.

For questions, email Vocational Recovery Project.

Coming soon! Skill Enhancement Training resources

Nov. 18, 2024

Information about the Skill Enhancement Training (SET), a new worker incentive, is available on L&I’s website. Resources include the slide deck shared in recent webinars, and the one-page overview recently shared at the Quality Assurance Leadership Conference.

More resources will soon be added, including:

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
SET Guidelines for Vocational Providers
SET application (Form)
Narrative Report Template

SET provide funds for basic skill development while a worker is recovering and participating in vocational services. Basic skill development includes language acquisition, high school equivalency, and adult basic education courses.

As a reminder, L&I is not accepting SET applications until Jan. 1, 2025.

For questions, email the Vocational Recovery Project.

Action Required: Annual Vocational Firm Agreement due Dec. 15, 2024

Nov. 15, 2024

The deadline to submit your 2025 Annual Vocational Firm Agreement is Dec.15, 2024.

Fax the complete agreement and all required attachments to Private Sector Rehabilitation Services (PSRS) at 360-902-6706.
Remove personal information from all documents before sending.
You may submit photos or scanned copies of credentials and/or insurance information.

To receive referrals from L&I, firms must meet the requirements outlined in the agreement for each of their service locations.

All required attachments must comply with state law. This includes your current proof of insurance coverage. L&I does not need a copy of any credentials already on file and current as of Dec. 31, 2024.

By signing the agreement, firms commit to its terms and abide by all applicable federal and Washington state statutes, rules, and policies.

Questions? Contact VocRecoveryProject@Lni.wa.gov