Latest News for Vocational Providers
May
REGISTER NOW: Understanding Workers' Compensation in Washington Webinar
April
Register Now! Pension Benefits Webinar
Save the Date! Quality Assurance Leadership Conference 2025
Action Requested: Update ProviderOne Payment Information
March
Happy Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Day!
WordBridge On-Demand Implementation Update
Request archived news
Email VocRecoveryProject@Lni.wa.gov to request archived posts.
REGISTER NOW: Understanding Workers' Compensation in Washington Webinar
May 26, 2025
Attention all vocational firm owners and managers: Share the following information with your staff.
L&I is hosting a webinar for Washington State employers that provides valuable information and resources for their workers’ compensation and return-to-work programs. As a vocational provider, you are also invited to attend and get some tips to support employers.
Register here for either webinar:
Topics include:
- L&I employer accounts
- Managing claims to control industrial insurance costs
- Managing risks
- Strategies for cost savings through Return-to-Work Incentive programs
Vocational providers can also earn 2.5 Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS) and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you have questions or need accommodations, please call 360-902-4738 or email Roseann Collins.
Register Now! Pension Benefits Webinar
April 21, 2025
We are hosting a webinar for vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs) that focuses on pension benefits and option selection. We will discuss the payment of death benefits, and review who’s entitled to them. We will also share information about social security offset and its impact on claims.
Please don’t share your personal Zoom link if you wish to receive credit. Attendance is tracked by individual unique link to award continuing education credits.
Pension Benefits Webinar
Date: Wednesday, May 14
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Topics include:
- Payable benefits when pension is granted
- Payable benefits on fatality claims
- How social security offset impacts payable benefits
Use this link to register in advance: Webinar Registration - Zoom
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar.
Questions? Email the Vocational Recovery Project with “Pension Benefits” on the subject line.
Save the Date! Quality Assurance Leadership Conference 2025
April 13, 2021
The 2025 Quality Assurance Leadership Conference will be held on October 9, 2025, at L&I’s Tumwater Headquarters. We are excited to bring vocational firm managers back together to introduce upcoming changes, discuss hot topics, and share ideas.
Action Requested:
- Save the date: Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025
- Make arrangements to attend this exclusively in-person event
- Provide your input in this quick pre-conference survey
Last year, the conference reinforced our commitment to common goals and offered a unique opportunity to develop new connections within the vocational community.
We’d like this year’s event to be just as meaningful and engaging. We would also like to offer continuing education credits for attendees. As your firm’s quality assurance leader, what topics are you interested in discussing or learning more about?
A registration link will be sent this summer, along with details about the agenda.
For questions, email the Vocational Recovery Project.
Action Requested: Update ProviderOne Payment Information
April 2, 2025
ProviderOne vendor numbers are soon replacing statewide-vendor numbers for many providers working with L&I.
What does this mean for your firm?
No action is needed if you previously added payment information into ProviderOne, and there are no changes.
You may recall working with Private Sector Rehabilitation Services (PSRS) to set up your account and payment preference. If you need to make a change, update your payment information in ProviderOne by April 30, 2025.
Firms that have not selected electronic funds transfer (EFT) in ProviderOne will receive paper checks starting May 1, 2025.
If you are unsure, or need to change your payment information, please contact PSRS at PSRS@Lni.wa.gov.
Happy Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Day!
March 21, 2025
L&I honors and celebrates vocational rehabilitation professionals every day, but even more so on March 22, their special day.
National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day was first established by the United States Congress in 2007 and has been recognized annually ever since. In establishing this day, congress recognized both the individuals and the professional organizations in service to those who need support with rehabilitation. In Washington State, we demonstrate the value of these partnerships every day.
To all of the vocational rehabilitation counselors serving Washington workers, we thank you for your dedication, compassion, and expertise in guiding workers to meaningful and gainful employment after a workplace injury. Through your thoughtful advice, patience, and encouragement, you have helped countless workers navigate challenges and uncover new opportunities.
We hope you take some time to reflect on the impacts you’ve made to workers, their families, and local communities. You should be proud.
WordBridge On-Demand Implementation Update
March 6, 2025
Thank you for your patience and collaboration during the implementation of WordBridge On-Demand.
The CTS Language Link contract has been extended through the end of June. However, these services are only to be used as a backup when SOSi cannot secure an interpreter. Please note that the CTS phone number 844-303-7212 was deactivated yesterday. VRCs must start the request through WordBridge. SOSi will make every effort to secure an on-demand interpreter. If an on-demand interpreter is not secured, SOSi will transfer the call to CTS Language Link.
On Monday, SOSi received 170 calls. Out of these calls, they were not able to secure an interpreter for 10 requests (4-Spanish, 1- Dari, 1- Cambodian, 1- Farsi, 1- Russian, and 2- Unknown). SOSi and L&I are closely monitoring the unfulfilled requests and SOSi has increased their recruitment efforts.
SOSi is also addressing the issue of extended hold times to get to an operator. In the meantime, please have worker on the line and have the following information ready before calling WordBridge to be connected directly to an interpreter:
- Your WordBridge account ID
- Clinic/vocational firm name
- Claim number
- Worker’s first and last name
- Date of injury
- Employer name (for self-insured claims only)
We also understand the need to have an interpreter for the initial contact with the worker. If you don’t have the worker on the line, SOSi can call the worker. If the worker does not answer the phone, a bilingual SOSi operator will be able to leave a voice message for the worker in Spanish. SOSi is updating their process to allow an interpreter to leave a message for the worker for all other languages.
Reminders:
- Only use WordBridge on-demand for immediate telephonic interpretation needs. All scheduled appointments must be requested in advance through the WordBridge portal.
- If SOSi cannot secure an interpreter for a scheduled appointment, you may call WordBridge on-demand at the time of the appointment to secure an on-demand interpreter.
- When appropriate and if possible, for rare languages, schedule the appointments as far in advance as possible to give SOSi time to secure an appropriate interpreter.
Send any feedback and concerns to:
- SOSi’s helpdesk via email Support@WordBridge.io or call 888-224-0126
- L&I Interpreter Services program Interpretation@Lni.wa.gov.