<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" citation="COMAR 14.09.07.10" title_num="14" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="07" heading="Assessment and Reporting.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Comprehensive Vocational Assessment.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>As soon as practicable, a practitioner shall meet with the disabled covered employee and conduct a comprehensive vocational assessment in compliance with Labor and Employment Article, §9-670(d), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A nurse case manager providing telephonic medical case management may conduct an initial assessment by telephone.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A comprehensive vocational assessment may include evaluation of the disabled covered employee's:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Age;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Education, including information about education level, courses or transcripts, licenses, and certifications or registrations obtained by the disabled covered employee in the past;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Complete work history, addressing any gaps in employment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Transferable skills and experience, whether obtained from prior employment, prior courses and training, prior vocational rehabilitation services or plans, or non-work related activities such as hobbies and/or volunteer experience;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Current physical and mental conditions caused by the injury or occupational disease, and the effect of those conditions on the disabled covered employee's ability to work;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Pre-existing physical and mental conditions and the effect of those conditions on the disabled covered employee's ability to work;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Post-injury physical and mental conditions and the effect of those nonrelated conditions on the disabled covered employee's ability to work;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Wage and employment at the time of injury;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Barriers to employment, including whether the barriers can be removed and what is needed to address the barriers;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Current financial status; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>Family supports/psychosocial aspects.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Reports.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A practitioner shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Prepare a written report within 30 days of the comprehensive vocational assessment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Prepare periodic progress reports every 30 days showing the activity and type of vocational rehabilitation services provided; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Submit copies of all reports to the Commission, the employer/insurer, and the disabled covered employee's attorney.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A practitioner shall include the following information in a comprehensive assessment report:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If the practitioner is unable to obtain the information set forth in §A(3) of this regulation, documentation of the practitioner's efforts to secure that information;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A determination of whether the disabled covered employee is able to work and if so, in what capacity, including whether the disabled covered employee can return to work in any capacity with the former employer and whether the disabled covered employee can return to work in a new job based on transferrable skills;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Recommendations for additional testing including, but not limited to, a Functional Capacity Evaluation, psychiatric evaluation, and vocational testing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>If no additional testing is recommended, identification of the order of vocational services to be provided; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>A job analysis, approved by the healthcare provider, for the job or jobs for which the disabled covered employee is able to work if applicable.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A practitioner shall prepare periodic progress reports that contain the following information:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A review of the disabled covered employee's compliance with the vocational rehabilitation plan, including any issues involving attendance, grades, and progression;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A list of the dates the vocational rehabilitation counselor contacted the disabled covered employee and any training site, if applicable;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A description of the work-related skills the disabled covered employee has acquired and a comparison with the vocational rehabilitation plan;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A summary of all actions taken in the past 30 days, including progress on previously recommended actions;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Identification of any barriers preventing completion of the plan and actions taken by the practitioner to address those barriers; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>A statement of whether the disabled covered employee is progressing as expected and will complete the plan by the target end date.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The parties shall provide the Rehabilitation Office with such medical information as the Rehabilitation Office may direct.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>