A: If you are injured on the job, or have an illness caused by your workplace, you must notify your supervisor and complete an Employee Incident Report (EIR) included in our forms section. You should also review the Workplace Incident Reporting Process and Procedure.

A: Workers’ compensation monetary benefits begin on the fourth day from the date of injury. You are also entitled to medical treatment, benefits for disfigurement or loss of use, and/or participation in rehabilitation.

FOR INJURIES AFTER JANUARY 1ST, 2022, THE WEEKLY COMPENSATION RATE IS NOW 62% OF AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE (AWW)

A: You may choose your medical care provider. If you are not sure with whom to treat, you can select a provider from the City of Providence’s Preferred Provider Network, included in our forms.

Treatment at an emergency room after the injury does not count as the first medical provider.

Your medical care provider should reach out directly to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, the workers’ compensation insurer for all direct City of Providence employees for all referral or service requests. The request can be sent via fax to 401-459-1740, Attention: BCBSRI Municipal Unit.

If you decide to change your physician and/or provider, prior approval may be required. The request can be sent via fax to 401-459-1740, Attention: BCBSRI Municipal Unit.

A: You are entitled to necessary rehabilitation services to help you regain the ability to return to work. The Arrigan Rehabilitation Center provides physical, vocational, and psychological rehabilitation services for people injured at work. If you have more questions about rehabilitation, call the Arrigan Rehabilitation Center at 401-243-1200.

A: Medically necessary and appropriate services and/or bills related to the accepted work-related injury claim are covered and paid in full by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. There are no co-payments or deductibles.

A: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the workers’ compensation insurer for all direct City of Providence employees. Medical bills related to the injury will be covered and paid in full by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. There are no co-payments or deductibles.

A: For the first occurrence:

• Confirm the bill is for your workers’ compensation injury. If so,
• Advise the biller of the following:
  • Treatment is for a work-related injury claim.
  • Tell biller that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the workers’ compensation insurer.
  • Tell biller your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island ID number.
  • Tell biller that claims can be submitted electronically or via mail to 500 Exchange Street, Providence, RI 02903

For the second occurrence:

• Obtain a bill copy, if available, or confirm the following:
  • Which workers’ compensation injury is the bill for?
  • Who is billing you?
  • What is the date of service for the bill?
  • What is the dollar amount for the bill?
  • Is there a contact number for the biller?
• Send the above compiled information to the Workers’ Compensation Division at eir@providenceri.gov.
• The Workers’ Compensation Division will work with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island to resolve and will notify you of the resolution.

A: If your injury claim has been accepted and you have missed time from work but are now ready to return to work, you must obtain a note from your treating physician. This note must state that you are able to return to work in a full duty capacity. The note must include the effective release to return to work date.

A: No. You cannot collect from both programs at the same time.