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Library: Policy

OKDHS:2-15-1.2. Workers' Compensation benefits

Issued 9-15-07

(a) Medical expenses.

  • (1) Workers' Compensation (WC) benefits.  WC benefits include all authorized and medically necessary:
    • (A) medical, surgical, nursing, and hospital services;
    • (B) medicines;
    • (C) crutches and prosthetic devices; and
    • (D) travel expenses outside the employee's city of residence that are documented by the CompSource Oklahoma claims adjuster.
  • (2) Medical benefits.  An injured employee is covered for only those medical expenses authorized by the Certified Workplace Medical Plan (CWMP) and provided by a member of the CWMP network.  The CWMP authorizes necessary emergency treatment by medical providers who are not part of the plan.

(b) Compensation.

  • (1) Temporary total disability (TTD).  TTD provides income to an employee who is temporarily unable to perform his or her duties because of a work-related illness or injury.
    • (A) The employee's own accrued sick leave, annual leave, or any other accrued leave is used for the first three consecutive calendar days off work following a work-related illness or injury.
    • (B) After the first three consecutive calendar days off work, the employee is placed:
      • (i) on approved leave without pay (LWOP) per OKDHS:2-1-38(a)(4); and
      • (ii) the second payroll.
    • (C) Payments for TTD are equal to 70 percent of the average Oklahoman's average weekly wage, not to exceed the amount set by the WC Act. [85 O.S. § 1 et seq.]
    • (D) An employee may elect to supplement TTD payments from his or her own accrued sick leave, annual leave, or any other accrued leave in order to maintain the same level of pay.  The employee completes Form 23RS113E, Leave Option Election Work-related Accident/Illness.  The combined compensation for paid leave usage and TTD must not exceed 100 percent of the employee's regular wages.
  • (2) Temporary partial disability (TPD).  TPD is available to an employee who returns to work at a wage less than the wage he or she earned prior to the injury.  TPD payments equal 70 percent of the difference in the two wage rates, not to exceed the amount set by the WC Act. [85 O.S. § 1 et seq.]
  • (3) Permanent disability.  Determining permanent disability is the responsibility of the WC Court.
    • (A) Permanent total disability (PTD) is designed for an employee who is incapacitated because of accidental work-related illness or injury and unable to earn any wages in any employment.
    • (B) Permanent partial disability (PPD) payments are designed to reimburse an employee for any disability which is permanent in nature but which is not totally disabling.
  • (4) Death benefits.  Death benefits are available to dependents of an employee who dies as a result of a work-related illness or injury.  Payments are made in a variety of ways, depending on marital status and number of dependents.
  • (5) Rehabilitation.  Payment for physical or occupational rehabilitation services may be provided by WC to an employee who is unable to return to his or her original occupation.
  • (6) Health insurance premiums.  The Oklahoma Department of Human Services pays employee health, dental, disability, and basic life insurance premiums for an employee on LWOP.  Premium payments end after 12 months or at any time the WC claim is denied.
  • (7) Retirement credit.  An employee receives participating service in Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) for the time the employee receives TTD benefits provided the employee:
    • (A) notifies OPERS no later than four months after returning to work, terminating employment, or terminating TTD whichever is earlier; and
    • (B) pays his or her contribution to OPERS for the period of absence.
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