Workers' Compensation

About workers’ compensation

Missouri State University provides workers' compensation benefits under state law for employees injured or affected by occupational diseases during work. The program is administered through the State of Missouri Department of Labor – Office of Administration, with the Central Accident Reporting Office (CARO) managing medical authorizations and payments for treatments related to injuries. Please note, following CARO's medical referral directions does not guarantee workers' compensation coverage for work-related injuries

Procedures for injured employees

• Contact CARO at 1-800-624-2354 to report injury, as well as workers’ compensation coordinator, Denise Lofton at 417-836-5892. Remember, under workers’ compensation, the State of Missouri will not pay for medical treatment you receive if you do not utilize authorized medical providers.
• When receiving care, notify the hospital or clinic that your injury is a workers’ compensation injury and give the name, address and telephone number of your employer.
• After receiving appropriate medical care, report all injuries to supervisor and follow department reporting procedures. 
• Print and complete all forms listed below:
  • Missouri State University on-the job injury report
  • Witness statement
  • Your pay while receiving workers’ compensation payments
  • Authorization to release medical records – workers’ compensation
  • Workers’ compensation investigation report – supervisor statement
  • Employee injury report – workers’ compensation
• The following additional forms may be needed:
  • Mileage reimbursement request
  • Eyeglasses report
• Return all signed and completed forms to the workers’ compensation coordinator in the office of human resources, Carrington Hall 315.  Fax: 417-836-6789. Email: Dlofton@missouristate.edu
• Follow directions given by the referral contact above. After the initial assessment, further treatment may be recommended by the treating physician.
• Any bills for medical and hospital expenses received by the employee should be forwarded to the Central Accident Reporting Office for payment.
• Surgeries and the purchase or rental of medical equipment should be pre-approved by CARO.
• Mileage may be submitted to CARO for treatment outside the local or metropolitan area from the employee’s principal place of employment.

Supervisor duties

Supervisors must ensure compliance with the following procedures:

• Complete a Supervisor Statement form.
• Maintain regular (at least weekly) contact with the injured employee during their absence and emphasize the employee’s responsibility to keep the employer informed.
• Contact the workers’ compensation coordinator weekly to update the injured employee’s status.
• Ensure employees submit a leave report or time sheet for their workers’ compensation absence.
• Immediately provide the Office of Human Resources with any release to work forms or doctor’s statements regarding the injured employee's status. Fax forms to 417-836-6789; the Office of Human Resources will distribute them to the department.

What's covered?

Workers’ compensation includes:

• Medical care: Covers physician fees, hospital costs, lab tests, x-rays, prescriptions, etc.
• Rehabilitation: Includes physical therapy or vocational retraining if the injury prevents returning to the same job.
• Wage replacement: Provides payments for lost wages due to temporary disability, authorized by a doctor, and for permanent disability.

Workers' compensation payments

Employees filing for workers’ compensation benefits after an on-the-job injury or illness are informed of Missouri State University's policy regarding salary continuation during leave.

If you receive workers’ compensation for an injury, you cannot also receive your full monthly salary from the university:

• Workers’ compensation covers 66.67% of your regular monthly salary while you're unable to work.
• You can supplement the remaining 33.33% with earned sick, vacation, or compensatory time by signing "pay while receiving workers compensation" form.
• Your total monthly salary cannot exceed 100% during workers’ compensation leave.
• If both payments are received, exceeding 100% is not allowed and is reported to the university by the state of Missouri.
• The university ensures compliance and adjusts future paychecks if necessary, deducting any overpayment of salary after receiving workers' compensation payments.

Forms and publications

Forms to be completed by employees

• Missouri State University on-the job injury report
• Your pay while receiving workers’ compensation payments
• Authorization to release medical records – workers’ compensation
• Employee injury report – workers’ compensation
• Eyeglasses report
• Mileage reimbursement request

Forms to be completed by supervisors 

• Workers’ compensation investigation report – supervisor statement

Other forms

• Witness statement

Publications

• Missouri Office of Administration FAQs