Work Hardening

Work hardening refers to multidisciplinary, structured work-focused rehabilitation programs (administered by physical or occupational therapists with other specialists) designed to improve strength, endurance, coordination and return-to-work capacity for patients with work-related conditions such as acute/subacute/chronic low back pain, neck pain/whiplash, upper extremity disorders, and shoulder/rotator cuff tendinitis. However, this policy considers work hardening conditioning for return-to-work rather than treatment of a medical condition and deems it not medically necessary/not covered; coverage limits and exclusions are ultimately determined by the member’s benefit plan, and the policy is inactive for dates of service on/after 2026-01-01 (see THE803.010).

"Multidisciplinary work rehabilitation programs administered by physical or occupational therapists (alone or with physicians, vocational counselors, psychologists, and other rehabilitation speciali..."