Medical Treatment

Off Campus Medical Treatment

• Life threatening injuries require immediate medical attention.  Call an ambulance by dialing 911 and notify the employee's supervisor as soon as possible if they are not already aware of the situation.
• Non-life threatening injuries or illnesses should be reported to the employee's supervisor who will arrange medical care with:

Occupational Healthworks, McFarland Clinic, P.C.
1215 Duff Avenue
Ames, IA  50010
For appointments call:  515-239-4496 

• Occupational Healthworks, McFarland Clinic, P.C. will coordinate treatment and refer to an appropriate specialist for additional care, if necessary.  

• After-hour treatment or emergencies will be seen at the Mary Greeley Medical Emergency Department.  Please notify medical staff when treatment is due to workplace injury or illness, so that they can initiate the proper paper work.

• University employees who live and work outside of the Ames area should refer to the list of approved medical centers for the treatment of work-related injuries. 
  

  On Campus First Aid Treatment

Some confusion exists about the use of the ISU Occupational Medicine Department in the TASF Building to treat workers' compensation injuries.  ISU Occupational Medicine treats work related minor injuries or conditions requiring first aid only.  Student Health is available to student employees for treatment of personal injuries requiring first aid only.  

Note:  First aid is considered treatment of a minor injury that would result in approximately one physician visit.

Making an Appointment

Supervisors must schedule the first/initial physician appointment.  When calling to make an appointment, be sure to indicate that the injury is believed to be work related and the employer is Iowa State University.  When arranging an initial appointment for an employee with a work place injury specific to repetitive motion, back injuries or strains and sprains at Occupational Healthworks at McFarland Clinic in Ames, Iowa, the Supervisor will give the employee a copy of the position description (PIQ/PDQ and/or the Essential Functions document) and instruct him/her to take this to the appointment and give to the treating physician.  If the injured employee does not have a position description (PIQ/PDQ) available for the initial appointment the Supervisor will need to follow-up and provide it by mail or fax (515-239-4767) to Occupational Healthworks as soon as possible.  Accident reports should also be provided to the physician when appropriate.

Currently at Occupational Healthworks at McFarland Clinic, Dr. Charles Mooney and his Physician Assistant, Michael Schnurr are the authorized physicians.   

Personal Physician Treatment

Iowa State University has a list of approved medical providers to provide treatment for work related injuries or illnesses.  Employees who choose to be treated by any other treatment center and/or physician may not qualify for any workers' compensation benefits and may be responsible for all medical costs related to the incident.  This is in accordance with state law.  If an employee is dissatisfied with the care offered, the employee should discuss the problem with their supervisor, the Workers' Compensation Coordinator at Human Resource Services and/or their claims examiner at Sedgwick Claims Management Services (CMS) (515-327-4874).

Occupational Healthworks at McFarland Clinic in Ames, Iowa are the approved medical providers (includes surrounding area medical providers) to provide treatment for work related injuries or illnesses.  Employees who choose to be treated by any unauthorized treatment centers and/or physicians may not qualify for any workers' compensation benefits and may be responsible for all medical costs related to the incident.  This is in accordance with state law.  If an employee is dissatisfied with the care offered, the employee should discuss the problem with the Workers' Compensation Specialist at Human Resource Services (LINK) and/or the claims examiner at Sedgwick Claims Management Services (CMS) (515-327-4874).

Physical Therapy

The Cyclone Sports Medicine Physical Therapy department in Lied Recreation Center is an approved provider for physical therapy treatment.  This may be used, but must be directed and authorized by the treating physician.  You may also choose to use a physical therapist, but must be directed and authorized by the treating physician.  Sedgwick CMS will authorize all physical therapy referrals before treatment will commence.  Physical Therapy treatment sessions are considered medical treatment just as physician appointments are. 

Prescription Procedures

Sedgwick CMS, has contracted with MSC (Medical Services Company) Pharmacy Network for filling medications relating to workers' compensation injuries.   A letter with a card will be sent to an injured employee within 24 hours of receipt of a First Report of Injury by Sedgwick CMS.  The card should be presented to the pharmacy filling the prescription so the pharmacist can gain on-line access to information regarding that employee's eligibility for workers' compensation benefits. The employee will have the right to select any pharmacy to fill his or her prescriptions however the letter will contain a list of participating pharmacy chains.  If the employee does choose to go to a pharmacy outside of the network, he or she will have to pay for the prescription and submit the receipts to Sedgwick CMS for reimbursement using the Mileage/Prescription Reimbursement Form (Word Form / PDF Form).

When the employee will need to fill a prescription prior to receiving a prescription card (i.e. following an initial medical appointment), Occupational Healthworks at McFarland Clinic will give the employee the MSC Workers' Compensation Rx Program form.  This form will have information for the employee to give the pharmacy and provides some of the names of participating pharmacies as well as a toll-free number (1-800-860-4819) for the pharmacy to call and receive authorization.

If problems occur, please call the ISU Human Resource Services at 515-294-3753.

Reoccurring Symptoms from an Injury

The supervisor should contact Human Resource Services who will work with Sedgwick CMS to determine if the reoccurrence is within the statute of limitations per Iowa Law and will then assist in the scheduling of an appointment at Occupational Health Works.