Which option describes the basis used for disability ratings in this material?

• A. Disability ratings
• B. Medical treatment standards
• C. Employer liability
• D. Return-to-work eligibility

Answer: (A)

Disability ratings are the measure used to quantify how much an impairment affects a person’s functioning, and in this material those ratings themselves form the basis for determining benefits and eligibility. The rating scale converts medical findings into a percent disability, and that percent drives the amount of compensation and related entitlements under the plan. Medical treatment standards describe appropriate care, but they don’t define how disability is quantified. Employer liability concerns who pays, not the extent of impairment. Return-to-work eligibility relates to whether a person can resume work, not the numeric rating. So the basis used for disability ratings is the disability rating itself—the percentage impairment used to calculate benefits.