Minnesota Rules Chapter 5221 sets treatment parameters for workers' comp injuries — maximum visit counts, duration limits, and pre-authorization requirements. Use this tool to look up what the rules say about your treatment.
- • Search by treatment type, keyword, or rule citation
- • Filter by category (passive, active, injections, etc.)
- • Items marked “Verify” are especially subject to variation
Rates verified through: 2025-10-01
Is My Treatment Covered?
Search Minnesota treatment parameters to see the rules, limits, and citations for common workers' comp treatments.
Passive Treatment
Manipulation/chiropractic — initial frequency
Up to 5 times per week for the first 1–2 weeks, decreasing thereafter
Spinal manipulation (chiropractic adjustments) may be provided up to 5 times per week during the first 1–2 weeks after injury. The frequency must decrease as the condition improves. If not improving, ongoing manipulation must be justified.
Minn. R. 5221.6200, subp. 3
Manipulation/chiropractic — maximum duration
12 weeks from first visit
The maximum duration for passive manipulation (chiropractic) treatment is 12 weeks from the first visit. Continuation beyond 12 weeks requires documented objective improvement and may require insurer authorization.
Minn. R. 5221.6200, subp. 3
Physical therapy — passive modalities
12 weeks from first visit
Passive physical therapy modalities (heat, ultrasound, TENS, electrical stimulation, manual therapy) are covered for up to 12 weeks from the first therapy visit. The goal is to reduce acute symptoms so the patient can transition to active treatment.
Minn. R. 5221.6200, subp. 3
Massage / manual therapy
Within the overall 12-week passive treatment window; must be prescribed
Massage and manual therapy are passive modalities covered within the overall 12-week passive treatment window under subp. 3 (passive modalities). Must be prescribed by the treating provider.
Minn. R. 5221.6200, subp. 3
Active Treatment
Active treatment — initial phase
12 weeks
Active treatment (exercise, strengthening, work conditioning) is covered for up to 12 weeks. The goal is to restore function so you can return to work. Treatment should transition from supervised to independent as the patient progresses.
Minn. R. 5221.6300, subp. 2
Work conditioning / work hardening
Up to 6 weeks
Work conditioning or work hardening programs are intensive, highly structured, job-oriented treatment plans. Programs are limited to 6 weeks. Additional periods require prior notification of the insurer.
Minn. R. 5221.6600, subp. 2, item D
Injections
Epidural steroid injections
Maximum 3 injections
Epidural steroid injections are limited to a maximum of 3 injections. Additional injections require documented significant improvement from prior injections.
Minn. R. 5221.6200, subp. 5
Trigger point injections
Maximum 4 injections per trigger point site
Trigger point injections are limited to a maximum of 4 injections per site. Continued treatment beyond this requires documented objective improvement.
Minn. R. 5221.6200, subp. 5
Facet joint / medial branch block injections
Maximum 3 injections per facet joint site
Facet joint and medial branch block injections are limited to a maximum of 3 per site. Diagnostic blocks must demonstrate positive response before therapeutic injections proceed.
Minn. R. 5221.6200, subp. 5
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Maximum 2 injections to any one site
Permanent lytic or sclerosing injections, including radio frequency denervation of the facet joints, are limited to a maximum of two injections to any one site.
Minn. R. 5221.6200, subp. 5
Surgery
Surgery prior notification requirement
Written notice to insurer at least 7 working days before non-emergency surgery
Before non-emergency surgery, the treating physician must notify the insurer in writing at least 7 working days in advance. The notice must include the diagnosis, proposed procedure, and expected outcomes.
Minn. R. 5221.6050, subp. 9
Insurer response to surgery notification
Must respond within 7 working days of receiving notification
After receiving surgical notification, the insurer has 7 working days to respond. They may authorize the surgery, request a second opinion, or request additional information. If no response within this period, the surgery may proceed.
Minn. R. 5221.6050, subp. 9
Insurer exam request — within response window
Insurer may request an examination within the 7-working-day response window
Within their 7-working-day response window, the insurer may request an examination by a doctor of their choice. This is part of the employer-exam workflow, not a "second opinion" in the consulting sense.
Minn. R. 5221.6050, subp. 9
Employer examination — 45-day provision
Examination must be completed within 45 days of the request
If the insurer requests an employer examination, it must be completed within 45 days. If not completed in time, the proposed surgery may proceed. This 45-day window is tied to the employer-exam request workflow, not a general "second opinion" right.
Minn. R. 5221.6050, subp. 9
Emergency surgery — notification exemption
No prior notification required; post-surgical notice within 2 business days
Emergency surgery is exempt from advance notification requirements. The treating physician must notify the insurer within two business days after initiation of treatment for an emergency.
Minn. R. 5221.6050, subp. 9
Chronic Management
Chronic pain management program
Maximum of 20 eight-hour days over 4 weeks
Chronic pain management programs are multidisciplinary programs providing physical rehabilitation, education, relaxation training, and counseling. Initial treatment is limited to a maximum of 20 eight-hour days over 4 weeks.
Minn. R. 5221.6600, subp. 2, item E
Chronic management — entry criteria
After initial and active treatment phases exhausted (approximately 24 weeks post-injury)
If you still have significant symptoms after completing both passive and active treatment, you may enter chronic management. This phase focuses on self-management and maintaining function rather than further improvement.
Minn. R. 5221.6600, subp. 2
Chronic management — office visits
Periodic office visits to monitor condition and self-directed program
During chronic management, periodic office visits are allowed to monitor your condition and adjust your self-directed home exercise program. Frequency depends on medical necessity.
Minn. R. 5221.6600, subp. 3
Chronic management — passive modalities limited
Limited passive treatment only to facilitate active self-management
In the chronic phase, ongoing passive treatment is discouraged. Limited passive care is allowed only when it enables you to continue an active home exercise program and maintain function.
Minn. R. 5221.6600, subp. 4
Opioid Prescribing
Opioid prescribing — acute phase
Maximum 2 weeks of medication per prescription within first 4 weeks
For acute injuries within the first 4 weeks, an oral opioid prescription is limited to no more than two weeks of medication per prescription.
Minn. R. 5221.6105, subp. 3
Opioid prescribing — subacute phase (beyond 4 weeks)
Maximum 1 month of medication per prescription after 4 weeks
If oral opioids are prescribed more than four weeks after the date of injury, they may not be for more than one month of medication per prescription.
Minn. R. 5221.6105, subp. 3
Opioid prescribing — long-term use
Long-term treatment (daily for at least 90 days) requires written contract and monitoring
Long-term opioid use (daily for 90+ days) requires a written treatment contract, regular follow-up visits, urine drug testing, and review of the prescription monitoring program.
Minn. R. 5221.6110
Opioid dose threshold — high-dose review
120 morphine-equivalent milligrams (MME) per day triggers enhanced review
If a patient takes more than 120 MME per day, enhanced monitoring is required, including follow-up visits at least every three months, urine drug testing at least twice per year, and prescription history review at every visit.
Minn. R. 5221.6110, subp. 8
Treatment parameters are from Minnesota Rules Chapter 5221. These rules set maximum durations and frequencies for common treatments. Your actual treatment may vary based on medical necessity and your doctor's clinical judgment. Parameters marked “Verify” are especially subject to variation.
This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results are estimates based on Minnesota workers' compensation law as of the rates shown. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.