What the FAF is for
The Functional Abilities Form tells the employer and worker what the worker can and can’t do after a workplace injury or illness, so they can plan an early and safe return to suitable work. It is based on your examination and doesn’t require a specialized functional abilities evaluation.
The FAF doesn’t replace your clinical reports to WSIB. The Form 8 or CMS8 carries the diagnosis and treatment to WSIB, and the FAF carries only abilities and restrictions to the workplace. Section 37(3) of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act lets you share that functional information with WSIB, the worker and the employer.
Who completes it
The employer and the worker complete Section A: worker and employer details, the job at the time of the accident, whether they’ve discussed return to work, and the employer contact. The worker signs Section B, consenting to release of their functional abilities to the employer and WSIB. You complete the billing section and Sections D to F, and you can help the worker with Section A if they need it.
Usually the employer hands the worker a printed FAF with Section A partly done, and the worker brings it to the visit, sometimes without a signature or a job description. In Medulla, you send Sections A and B to the worker over a secure link before the visit. They add their details and the employer’s, describe their job and sign, and their answers land on the PDF you complete your sections on. The form asks you to submit it even if Section A isn’t fully complete.
How to fill in Sections C to F
C. Health Professional’s Billing Information
Tick your designation and enter your WSIB provider ID, invoice number and HST details. This billing information must not go to the worker or employer, so keep it to the copy you send WSIB.
D. Date of Assessment and return-to-work status
Record the assessment date and tick one: capable of returning with no restrictions, capable of returning with restrictions (complete Sections E and F), or physically unable to return at this time (complete Section F).
E. Abilities and/or Restrictions
Tick the abilities that apply for walking, standing, sitting, lifting floor to waist and waist to shoulder, stair and ladder climbing, and travel to work. Then tick the restrictions: bending and twisting, work at or above shoulder, chemical or environmental exposure, limited hand use, pushing and pulling, operating motorized equipment, vibration, and medication side effects. Use Section E3 to give maximum times, weights and durations. Say how long the restrictions will apply, whether you discussed return to work, and the recommended hours and start date.
F. Date of Next Appointment
Give the date you’ll review the abilities and restrictions, and tick whether you gave the completed form to the worker, the employer or both.
Common reasons it’s sent back or not paid
- A diagnosis or medication name on the form.
- Restrictions ticked without times, weights or durations.
- An FAF completed on the same date as the initial Form 8.
- A form you started without a request from the employer or worker.
- An employer’s own form submitted to WSIB for payment.
- Billing pages not sent to WSIB.
Submitting and who pays
Give the completed form to the worker or employer promptly. For payment, fax or mail pages two and three to WSIB, and don’t mail a copy if you faxed one. WSIB pays the $45 fee and charges the cost to the employer’s account, so the worker isn’t billed.