How to Read the R-2 and R-3 Rehab Forms (Minnesota Workers’ Comp)

The R-2 and R-3 are rehab planning forms, not bills. The R-2 is the initial rehabilitation plan, and the R-3 is an amendment filed when the plan changes. You generally don't pay anything on either one, but both can affect your rights, so they're worth reading closely.

The R-2 and R-3 are not bills

In Minnesota workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation services are generally paid by the employer/insurer (see Minn. Stat. § 176.102, subd. 9; Minn. R. 5220.1900). If you're staring at an R-2 that says "Projected Cost: $8,000," that's not your bill.

The cost section exists because the system requires the plan to describe what services will be provided and to estimate the time and cost. It budgets rehab services, documents what the QRC intends to do, and creates a record if the plan later needs to be amended.

One nuance: a plan is not a promise that every line item will happen exactly as written. But it is supposed to be reasonable, and if reality changes, the plan should be updated. That's what the R-3 is for.

What the R-2 is

The R-2 is the initial rehabilitation plan. It's the game plan for your rehab, and it's the official starting point for several key deadlines, including the 60-day window to change your QRC.

Samples are not published on this site right now. If you want to see an R-2, ask your QRC or adjuster for the copy filed in your case, or for a blank copy of the current form.

What the R-3 is

The R-3 is a rehabilitation plan amendment. It's used when something changes: your work restrictions, whether the employer can accommodate them, the goal itself (say, from returning to the same employer to finding a new one, or to retraining), the start of job search services, a new vendor, or updated timelines and projected costs.

Samples are not published on this site right now. If you received an R-3, ask for the full packet and any cover letter that explains deadlines or objections.

The 15-day window for objections

Many R-2 and R-3 packets include a cover page or letter that references a 15-day window. The basic idea: the plan is circulated, the parties have a window to object, and if nobody objects, the plan can become effective without a hearing.

The exact rule language and timelines matter (see Minn. R. 5220.0410), and deadlines are easy to misread. If you're trying to object, don't guess about the deadline. Get advice quickly.

The R-2 box by box

Different versions of the form exist, but most R-2s include numbered boxes like these.

Boxes 1 to 3: employee identifiers

WID or SSN, name, address, phone. This is where filing mistakes happen. If the wrong person or claim is listed, get it corrected.

Boxes 4 to 11: employer and insurer claim information

Employer and insurer contacts, claim number, date of injury, and similar basics. If rehab is being denied or delayed, these boxes tell you who to press.

Boxes 12 to 18: QRC information

Who the QRC is, their registration number, and their contact details. This tells you who is responsible for the plan and who must respond when you have questions.

Boxes 19 to 22: what the plan is trying to accomplish

This is usually where you'll see the vocational goal (return to your date-of-injury job, a new job, or retraining), the plan start and end dates, and the "suitable gainful employment" target. This section is the heart of the form. If the goal doesn't make sense, or ignores your restrictions, that's a problem.

The service table

The service table lists each service category (job development, placement, medical management, and so on), a description, a projected cost, and a projected completion date. Look for real next steps, not vague "monitoring." Look for actual timelines. If the plan is heavy on job placement but nobody is helping you apply, that's a mismatch.

Signatures and comments

There are often boxes for employee, employer, and insurer comments and signatures. If you disagree, don't just refuse to sign and go silent. Put the issue in writing and ask about the dispute process.

How the R-3 differs

R-3s usually repeat the core claim and QRC information, then focus on what's being amended. The amendment should tell you what changed, why it changed, what services are being added or removed, and what the updated timeline and cost are.

Pay attention to the brief summary box. It becomes part of the record. If the summary is misleading ("employee refuses work"), address it right away.

The updated service table works the same way as on the R-2: look for specifics, not vague promises.

The biggest mistake is ignoring them

An R-2 can affect your right to change QRCs within 60 days, the official rehab goal, and what the insurer later argues you "refused." An R-3 can affect whether job search is being required, whether retraining is still on the table, and whether closure is coming next. If you're confused, it's worth a five-minute call before you sign or do nothing.