Maximum Medical Improvement, or MMI, means your condition has stabilized and further treatment is unlikely to change it much. It does not mean you are healed, pain free, or back to normal. It also does not mean your workers’ compensation benefits are automatically ending.
MMI usually comes up after a period of treatment. You may have had surgery, physical therapy, injections, or months of follow-up visits. When a doctor says you have reached MMI, they are not saying nothing is wrong. They are saying your condition has reached a point where additional treatment is not expected to make a meaningful difference.
Why It Makes People Nervous
This is where a lot of injured workers feel uneasy. Insurance companies often treat MMI like a finish line. They may act as if your case is wrapping up or that benefits should be reduced. That can be confusing, especially when you are still dealing with pain, limits, or work restrictions.
In reality, MMI is usually a transition point in a workers’ compensation case, not the end of it.
What Happens After You Reach MMI?
Once MMI is reached, doctors often evaluate whether your injury caused lasting limitations. These limits can affect the type of work you can do, whether you can return to your old job, or whether you need permanent restrictions going forward.
Even after MMI, benefits may continue. Depending on your situation, you may still qualify for permanent partial disability or permanent total disability benefits. The focus of the case may shift, but your rights do not disappear.
MMI can also affect wage benefits and return-to-work decisions. Some people are cleared for light duty. Others are told they cannot return to the same work they did before the injury. Every case is different, which is why MMI should never be treated as a one-size-fits-all outcome.
If you’re hearing “light duty,” click here to learn what that actually means for your job and your benefits.
This stage is also when insurance companies may push harder to reduce or cut benefits. That is why it is important to understand what MMI actually means before agreeing to anything or assuming your options are limited.
In this video, Attorney Frank Kearney explains what Maximum Medical Improvement means for you:
At Donahoe Kearney, we stand up for hardworking people who need someone in their corner. We handle the workers’ compensation insurance companies so you do not have to, making sure your benefits and medical care are protected.
Call 202-393-3320 or book your free consultation here: Book Free Consultation.