Frequently Asked Questions

What does is mean to be recommended to Pacific Rehabilitation Center?

Your Attending Physician will send a referral to Pacific Rehabilitation Center, specifying the specific program that he/ she is recommending. PRC’s Intake Staff will enter you into our system and obtain authorization for an initial evaluation, from your claims manager. Once this is received you will be contacted, by our staff, for scheduling of the evaluation. Based on the evaluation, by our clinical staff, we will then be able to seek authorization for the specified program, based on the recommendations in our report.

What is an evaluation?

The evaluation is the first step in determining how we can help you with your injury. Evaluations will differ, depending on the specific program you are referred for. You will meet with the appropriate clinic staff, they will examine you, assessing your injury and talking to you about chronic pain and how it may be affecting your life. The evaluation is the best time for staff to answer your questions. We suggest you wear comfortable clothing (including close toe shoes).

What happens once I’m recommended?

This step may vary, depending on the program you are recommended for. In all cases, our report will go to the Stakeholders on your claim. Once it’s been received by your claims manager, we will move forward to request authorization for the specified program. The process of obtaining authorizations can vary, per program. You are encouraged to follow up with our Intake Staff if you have questions about status of an authorization. Once authorization is received, we will contact you to set up your start date.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy (PT) is care that aims to ease pain and help you function, move, and live better. Relieve pain. Improve movement or ability. Prevent or recover from a work injury. Sessions are typically 45 min to 1 hour in length. The frequency of visits may vary, depending on what your doctor and the therapist have recommended, as well as what has been authorized.

What is an Ergonomic Job Modification or Ergonomic Assessment?

An ergonomic assessment, also referred to as a workstation assessment, analyzes a
person’s workstation to ensure it is designed to minimize injury and maximize productivity.
The assessments are conducted by occupational therapists and assess a number of key factors that can impact your ability to work comfortably. These assessments can take place on the job site, at your school (retraining), or within our clinic.

What is Work Conditioning?

Work Conditioning. An intensive, goal-oriented conditioning program designed to restore neuromuscular and musculoskeletal function including strength, power, endurance, joint mobility, ROM, motor control, cardiovascular endurance and functional abilities. Consists of PT and OT and is typically 2 hours per day, for 4-6 weeks.

What is Work Hardening?

Work Hardening is an interdisciplinary, individualized, job specific program of activity with the goal of return to work. Work Hardening programs use real or simulated work tasks and progressively graded conditioning exercises that are based on the individual’s measured tolerances. Consists of PT and OT and is typically 4 to 8 hours, per day, for 4 weeks.

What is and FCE?

Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) evaluates an individual’s capacity to perform work activities related to his or her participation in employment. The FCE process compares the individual’s health status, and body functions and structures to the demands of the job and the work environment. In essence, an FCE’s primary purpose is to evaluate a person’s ability to participate in work, although other instrumental activities of daily living that support work performance may also be evaluated. FCE’s are performed by an OT or PT and last 4 to 6 hours. On some occasions, your provider, CM or VRC, may request a 2 day FCE.

What is RTWPMP?

Structured Intensive Multidisciplinary Program (RTWPMP) is a comprehensive pain rehabilitation program focused on helping workers recover their function, reducing & eliminating disability, and improving the quality of patients’ lives by helping them cope effectively with chronic non-cancer pain. We start with an evaluation that is about 3 hours. You will meet with our medical provider, our psychologist and our vocational rehabilitation counselor. If recommended for the program, we start groups every Wednesday. The Treatment Phase of the program is 20 days, Mon-Fri, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. After you’ve completed the first phase, you will move into Follow Up. This typically consists of 6 visits on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will be followed by your 90 day Recheck. This mini evaluation is about 2 hours in length.

How long does the program last?

The duration of the program is 20 days – 5 days per week, 6 hours per day. Following the 20 day virtual therapy program, there is a 6 month follow up period. During this time, the patient will be required to participate in over-the-phone evaluations. There will be no face-to-face telehealth sessions during this period.

How do I get started?

If you are a physician, we simply need a referral for your patient. If you are a patient, discuss this option with your primary care physician to determine if this option is right for you.