Posted by Terapin on September 30, 1999 at 21:15:20:
In Reply to: The Oregon Prefered Worker Program posted by Tom on September 29, 1999 at 23:51:06:
Are you referring to the Employer At Injury Program, (EAIP), the preferred worker program, or vocational retraining? PWP is activated by the worker and is used with the current or subsequent employer for work place modifications (up to $25K) in order to accommodate the worker's permanent disabilities, premium exemption, and/or
wage subsidies. Usually your claim is closed to access this benefit since you have to be awarded permanent impairment and be unable to perform your regular job duties. The program is solely adminstered by the State and I don't believe the insurance company has input as to initial or ongoing qualification for the program.
It sounds like your employer was receiving a wage subsidy through the EAIP program while you were released to light duty work. This subsidy continues for three months or until you are released to regular work whichever comes first. This program provides an incentive for the employer to accomodate injured workers and it is a direct benefit to them and the insurance carrier so I have a hard time understanding why the insurance carrier would make it difficult for you to participate in the program. Can you explain your situation in more detail, specifically, how did your employer defraud the system?