(In effect as of January 1, 2004*)
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Employee
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re- Penalties to Benefits
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities  Employees   2/ During VR
  ALABAMA
Secs. 25-5-57(a)(4)(i)  x       x No 1) provide VR upon 1) accept PR 1) compensation TTD plus
      25-5-77 request of VR Spe-    & VR suspended board & lod-
cialist and physi- ging if away
cian from home,
2) VR costs includ- & travel
ing board, lodging
and travel
                                                                                                                                         
*LEGEND:
N/A = Not Available
WC = Workers' Compensation
PR = Physical Rehabilitation
VR = Vocational Rehabilitation
Rehab. Unit = Rehabilitation Unit
D = Direct (Rehab Unit provides rehabilitation services to claimants.)
R = Referral (Rehab Unit refers claimants to State agencies or private companies.)
M = Monitor (Rehab Unit monitors the cases it has referred.)
TTD = Temporary Total Disability
PTD = Permanent Total Disability
PPD = Permanent Partial Disability
TPD = Temporary Partial Disability
FOOTNOTES:
1/ Self-insurers, carriers or State Funds (when employers insure through the State) cover the costs of physical rehabilitation.
2/ Penalties that affect workers' compensation apply only to the period of time the employee refuses rehabilitation.
3/ Physical rehabilitation (PR) is covered under medical services.
4/ No vocational rehabilitation (VR) provision in the workers' compensation law.
                                                   
*See Introduction page. 
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS (cont.)
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Employee
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re- Penalties to Benefits
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities  Employees   2/ During VR
  ALASKA  x        x Yes                 x 1) Eligible injured workers  1) accept PR. 1) compensation may be TTD until medical 
Secs. 23.30.041 may elect to participate in 2) if elect to participate in  suspended for unreasonable stability, then PPI
      23/30.095 vocational rehabilitation. VR must cooperate. refusal of PR. at weekly TTD rate
Employer/carrier must pay  2) VR may be terminated for until exhusted, 
those rehab cost. noncooperation. then additional
2) Once established rehab compensation paid
plan length (2 years) and cost at 70% of spendable
($13,300) limited. weekly wage rate.
  ARIZONA 3/ No 1) at the discre- 1) accept PR 1) compensation
Secs. 23-1026 tion of the Indus- reduced or sus-
      23-1065(A)(1) trial Commission, pended
the State Special
Fund pays some VR
costs
2) carrier or self-
insured employer may
elect to provide VR
  ARKANSAS 3/ x No 1) VR costs for 1) accept PR; 1) compensation PPD plus
Sec. 11-9-505 maximum 72 weeks not required to suspended travel &
        accept VR, but maintenance
      if rejected, expenses
limited to per-
manent physical
impairment rating
 
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS (cont.)
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Employee
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re- Penalties to Benefits
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities  Employees   2/ During VR
  CALIFORNIA   x       x Yes                 x 1) VR costs 1) must request 1) compensation TTD or
Sec. 139.5 2) during PR & VR VR within 5 withheld for maintenance
       pay TTD & addi- years of the refusal to allowance at $246 
tional living date of injury cooperate (limited to
expenses 52 weeks) and
3) mandatory pay- living expen-
ments generally ses necessi-
capped at $16,000 tated by re-
habilitation;
terminated
VR services
may be re-
stored within
5 years after injury
in certain cases.  
 Settlement
of vocational 
rehabilitation
 benefit is allowed
for represented
workers.  The 
settlement can be 
up to $10,000 for 
use in a self-
directed vocational
rehabilitation plan.
Under the law, the
settlement must be 
submitted to and 
approved by the 
Rehabilitation Unit
of the DWC.
1) compensation weekly main-
  COLORADO   x       x No                 x 1) Major Medical 1) accept PR reduced or sus- tenance equal
Secs. 8-49-101 Insurance Fund pays pended to TTD; VR
      8-51-102 during VR: tuition; may be termi-
      8-51-110 travel; maintenance nated by any
(applies only to DOI prior to 7/2/87) expenses equivalent party upon 14
to TTD days of writ-
ten notice to
all parties
1) compensation TTD
  CONNECTICUT   x       x Yes    x 1) pays disability 1) accept PR suspended
Secs. 31-283(a-c) benefits during VR
      31-313 2) pays medical
31-294 rehab services
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS (cont.)
Employee
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Penalties to Benefits
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re-  Employees   2/ During VR
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities
1) lose compen- TTD
  DELAWARE  x         x No 1) VR costs 1) accept PR sation; no com-
Sec. 2353 2) board, lodging    & VR pensation for
& travel expenses increased disa-
during PR & VR bility during
refusal period
1) compensation TTD plus
  DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 3/       x No                    x 1) VR costs 1) accept PR suspended maximum $50/
Sec. 32-1507(a),(c) &    & VR week main-
            (d) tenance
  FLORIDA 1) compensation TTD plus
Secs. 440.13 3/      x Yes x         x         x 1) When department is 1) accept VR forfeited board,
440.491 paying for retraining,  lodging
carrier must pay up to 52 & travel
weeks of temporary total 
indemnity benefits (as long as
104 weeks of temporary 
benefits are not exhausted).
2) If the carrier is 
voluntarily providing re-
employment services and
exceeds 180 days of 
services, or such services 
exceed $2,500 in costs,
the carrier is required to 
refer the the injured worker
to the department for 
services.
3) Carrier is required to 
complete a reemployment
status review under certain
circumstances.
4)Carrier must report costs 
of voluntarily provided re-
employment services to
the department.
5) Carrier must notify 
injured worker of the 
department's 
reemployment services
in certain cases.
1) compensation TTD plus
  GEORGIA x         x Yes                 x 1) VR costs plus 1) accept PR reduced or sus- board,
Sec. 34.9-201.1 board, lodging &    & VR pended lodging &
travel for maximum travel
2) WC Board may ex-
tend time maximum
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS (cont.)
Employee
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Penalties to Benefits
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re-  Employees   2/ During VR
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities
TTD plus
  HAWAII  x         x Yes          x       x 1) Employer/carrier travel, tu-
Secs. 386-24 covers rehabilitation ition, books
      386-25 costs, including  & living
maintenance expenses expenses
TTD plus
  IDAHO  x        x Yes x 1) VR travel costs transporta-
Secs. 72-432 2) board, lodging & tion costs
      72-433 travel costs of PR
      72-450 3) Special State
      72-501A Fund pays for PR &
VR services
1) compensation TTD plus
  ILLINOIS  x        x No 1) VR costs 1) accept PR reduced or sus- incidental
Secs. 305/8 2) PR & VR main- pended maintenance
      310/19 tenance expenses expenses
 
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS (cont.)
Employee
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Penalties to Benefits
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re-  Employees   2/ During VR
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities
1) lose compen- determined
  INDIANA  x        x Yes x 1) travel expenses 1) accept PR sation; no com- by the
Secs. 22-3-3-4 associated with PR    & VR pensation for Office of
      22-3-12 2) individualized increased disa- VR
VR plan developed bility during
by Office of VR refusal period
TTD if eligible 
  IOWA  x        x No 1) VR costs and/or for maximum
Secs. 85-27 2) benefit payments of 26 weeks, 
      85-70 during VR for maxi- $20/week
mum of 26 weeks
1) compensation TTD plus
  KANSAS  x        x Yes          x       x 1) pay TTD or TPD 1) accept VR suspended board,
Sec. 44-510g during PR lodging &
2) VR may be volun- travel for
tarily provided by PR
the employer
1) compensation normal
  KENTUCKY  x         x Yes                 x 1) PR & VR costs 1) accept PR reduced by 50% weekly
Secs. 342.020 2) costs of board,    & VR compensa-
      342-710 lodging & travel tion plus
during PR & VR board &
3) VR limited to 52 lodging,
weeks; extension if away
granted by ALJ in from home,
unusual cases & travel
 
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS (cont.)
Employee
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Penalties to Benefits
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re-  Employees   2/ During VR
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities
1) weekly com- TTD plus
LOUISIANA  x         x Yes 1) PR & VR costs 1) accept PR pensation re- board, lod-
Secs. 23:1203 2) TTD benefits & VR within 2 duced by 50% ging and
      23:1223 during VR for a years after during refusal travel if
maximum of 26 benefits for period away from
weeks TTD are ter- home
3) costs of board, minated
lodging & travel
during PR & VR
1) compensation Normal
  MAINE  x         x No x        x         x 1) VR costs 1) accept VR suspended if re- weekly com-
Secs. 217 2) pay 180% of cost fuses to accept pensation
355 of successful VR if VR pursuant to plus trans-
358-A(5) plan not voluntarily an order of the portation
implemented Board and/or extra
necessary
expenses 
during VR
1) compensation TTD plus
  MARYLAND 3/        x Yes            x 1) VR costs, plus 1) accept VR suspended maximum
Secs. 36(9) TTD & maximum $40/ $40/week
37 week maintenance maintenance
for maximum 24 for maximum
months; VR train- 24 months;
ing provided up VR training
to a maximum of provided up
24 months to a maximum
of 24 months
1) compensation TTD plus
  MASSACHUSETTS  x          x Yes          x 1) VR costs 1) not re- suspended during board, lod-
Secs. 30A 2) costs of board, quired to period of re- ging and
      30B lodging & travel accept PR fusal travel
      30C during PR & VR or VR
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS (cont.)
Employee
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Penalties to Benefits
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re-  Employees   2/ During VR
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities
1) compensation compensation
  MICHIGAN  x         x Yes x        x        x 1) costs of VR for 1) accept PR reduced for "wage-
Secs. 418:315 maximum 104 weeks    & VR loss" plus
      418:319 2) costs of travel travel &
& expenses during necessary
VR expenses
3) may be required
to offer VR by WC
Bureau
1) compensation compensation for
  MINNESOTA  3/          x Yes x                   x 1) offer rehab counseling 1) cooperate with suspended if TTD paid until 90
Secs. 176.101 upon request of  approved plan. employee refuses days after mmi.  If
176.102 employee, employer to make effort retraining approved,
or wc agency. to cooperate TTD paid until 90
2) pay cost of VR  with approved after the end of
evaluation, plan rehab plan training;
preparation, services and 2) TTD benefits plus tui-
supplies to implement  stop if employee tion, books,
plan. withdraws from custodial
3) VR costs including labor market, daycare,
tuition, books, day fails to search travel,
care, travel; board for appropriate board & lod-
and lodging during work, or refuses ging during
travel, reasonable work consistent travel, and
moving expenses and with rehab plan reasonable
retraining up to 156 moving ex-
weeks penses
4) VR for surviving
spouse in death cases
 
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS (cont.)
Employee
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Penalties to Benefits
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re-  Employees   2/ During VR
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities
1) compensation TTD plus
  MISSISSIPPI 3/       x Yes           x 1) during VR, pay 1) accept PR suspended $10/week for
Secs. 71-3-15 maximum $10/week 52 weeks
      71-3-19 for 52 weeks
      71-3-93
1) compensation TTD or TPD
  MISSOURI  x        x Yes           x 1) provide rehab 1) accept PR reduced 50% plus board,
Secs. 287.141 within 120 days if lodging &
287.144 injury results in a travel
loss of suitable,
gainful employment
2) pays VR & PR
costs not to exceed
$5,000 for 26 weeks,
plus board, lodging
& travel; employer
may extend addi-
tional 26 weeks
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS (cont.)
Employee
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Penalties to Benefits
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re-  Employees   2/ During VR
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities
1) compensation 1) benefits paid
  MONTANA                   3/        x No 1) assign a rehab  1) accept VR suspended at the TTD
Secs. 39-71-1006 provider to develop 2) must have rate not to
      39-71-704 rehab plan. actual wage  exceed 104
2) in addition to loss and weeks
providing biweekly reasonable 2) payment
benefits, carrier opportunity to for tuition,
provides payment reduce wage fees, books,
for tuition, fees, loss through and other 
books, and other rehab, or  reasonable
reasonable and impairment  and necessary
necessary expen- rating of retraining 
ses, excluding 15% or greater expenses for
travel and living 3) must begin injuries oc-
expenses, for a rehab within curring on or
disabled worker 78 weeks of after 7/1/97
who is injured on reaching maxi-
or after 7/1/97 mum medical
healing
 
TABLE 15.  REHABILITATION BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR INJURED WORKERS UNDER STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS (cont.)
Employee
 Rehab.  WC     Rehab. Penalties to Benefits
Statutes* Rehab. Unit Services* Employer/Carrier  Employee Re-  Employees   2/ During VR
    State PR    VR  Unit    D / R / M   Responsibilities 1/ sponsibilities
1) compensation TTD plus
  NEBRASKA  x         x Yes x        x 1) may be required 1) accept PR reduced or board, lod-
Secs. 48-121 by WC Court to     & VR suspended ging &
      48-161.01 offer PR travel
      48-162.01 2) cost of board,
lodging & travel
during PR
3) S