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The Rehabilitation Process

After retiring from accidental or ordinary disability you may be required to undergo rehabilitation. In order to start the rehabilitation process, you must first complete a Comprehensive Medical Examination (CME).

Table of Contents

Physician Responsibilities

  • The examining physician determines you may be able to return to work after completion of a rehabilitation program
  • The physician must find that you may be able to perform the essential duties of the position you retired from or a similar position after rehabilitation
  • The physician will submit a rehabilitation plan to PERAC’s Rehabilitation Unit that includes:
    • the goals of the program,
    • the medical services necessary to achieve the goals,
    • the costs and
    • the anticipated timeframes.
  • A PERAC Nurse Case Manager will review the rehabilitation plan
    Any modifications will be discussed with the physician.

Retiree Responsibilities

  • If after PERAC review, the plan is deemed reasonable and necessary, it will be approved and you must participate.
  • You can stop participating in a rehabilitation program if you can show good cause for doing so.
  • If you refuse to participate or stop the rehabilitation program without good cause, the Disability Unit will direct the retirement board to suspend your retirement allowance.
  • The board must first give you written notice of the suspension and your opportunity to be heard by the retirement board before suspending your retirement allowance.
  • You may appeal this suspension to the Contributory Retirement Appeal Board.

Rehabilitation Outcomes

After completing a rehabilitation program you either:

Go back to work

  • You may be found to be able to perform the essential duties of the position from which you retired (or a similar position within the same department for which you are qualified)
  • You will be scheduled for a restoration to service examination.

Continue receiving your benefits

  • You are found to be unable to perform the essential duties of the position from which you retired (or a similar position within the same department for which he/she is qualified) and no further action will be taken.

Additional Resources   for Rehabilitation Outcomes

Image credits:  natacha dunker

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