What does the term "maximum medical improvement" mean?

The term "maximum medical improvement" (MMI) refers to the stage at which an injured worker's condition stabilizes and is unlikely to undergo significant improvement with further medical treatment. This means that the worker's recovery has plateaued, and any additional medical interventions would not be expected to lead to further enhancements in their health status.

MMI is an important concept in the workers' compensation system because it helps determine the next steps in the claims process, including the assessment of permanent impairment and potential benefits for the injured worker. Reaching MMI indicates that the employee has reached a point where their medical needs are addressed adequately and decisions regarding any long-term effects of the injury can be made based on their current condition.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the essence of MMI. For example, stating that it is when an employee can "never improve" is misleading because it does not account for the possibility of future improvements, which may occur post-MMI with different treatments or therapies. The suggestion that MMI signifies when treatment can be stopped oversimplifies the relationship between medical care and recovery, as treatment may still continue to manage symptoms even after reaching MMI. Finally, referencing MMI as the period before treatment begins does not