When is a disability considered to be permanent and stationary?

When is a disability considered to be permanent and stationary?

• A. The employee has plateaued medically
• B. The need for medical treatment ceases
• C. The employee is no longer temporarily totally disabled
• D. The employee has reached maximal medical improvement under AMA Guidelines

Answer: (D)

A disability is considered to be permanent and stationary when the employee has reached what is known as maximal medical improvement (MMI) under American Medical Association (AMA) Guidelines. This term signifies that the individual’s condition has stabilized, meaning that further medical treatment is unlikely to result in significant improvement. At this stage, the employee's medical situation has plateaued, and they have obtained the greatest level of recovery possible, given their injury or illness. Identifying this point is crucial because it affects the assessment of the individual’s functional abilities and their eligibility for disability benefits. Once a patient reaches this state, their condition can be evaluated for permanent impairment and appropriate compensation can be determined based on the limitations imposed by their disability. The other factors considered, such as the cessation of medical treatment or the transition from temporary total disability, may be associated with the overall assessment of a case but do not specifically define the status of being permanent and stationary as this individual recovery milestone does.

A disability is considered to be permanent and stationary when the employee has reached what is known as maximal medical improvement (MMI) under American Medical Association (AMA) Guidelines. This term signifies that the individual’s condition has stabilized, meaning that further medical treatment is unlikely to result in significant improvement.

At this stage, the employee's medical situation has plateaued, and they have obtained the greatest level of recovery possible, given their injury or illness. Identifying this point is crucial because it affects the assessment of the individual’s functional abilities and their eligibility for disability benefits. Once a patient reaches this state, their condition can be evaluated for permanent impairment and appropriate compensation can be determined based on the limitations imposed by their disability.

The other factors considered, such as the cessation of medical treatment or the transition from temporary total disability, may be associated with the overall assessment of a case but do not specifically define the status of being permanent and stationary as this individual recovery milestone does.