If you’ve been injured at work in Wisconsin, you’ve probably heard the term "end of healing" or “EOH” — maybe from your doctor, your employer, or the insurance company. But what does it really mean for you and your benefits?
Simply put, EOH (also called maximum medical improvement or MMI) is the point where your doctor believes your condition has improved as much as it’s going to in the foreseeable future. It doesn’t mean you’re back to normal, pain-free, or fully able to work. It just means that further medical treatment isn’t expected to make a significant difference. For example, a doctor may recommend injections for a back injury. After the injections, surgery may take place, followed by a course of physical therapy. Eventually, PT will cease, and the doctor may say they need to see you back only on an “as needed” basis. That is a pretty good sign that MMI has occurred.
With psychological injuries, MMI can be harder to gauge. Mental health providers may resist the idea of an “end” of healing because mental health conditions are often ongoing, with symptoms that can flare up unpredictably. The structured timelines of worker’s comp don’t always align well with the less predictable nature of mental health recovery. That being said, it is important for a mental health provider to articulate an EOH at some point so that the worker’s compensation case can be finalized.
You Can Still Hurt — Even After Healing Is "Done"
Many workers are surprised (and frustrated) to hear they’ve reached EOH when they still feel pain, can’t move like they used to, or can’t return to their old job. This confusion is understandable. But Wisconsin’s worker’s compensation law makes a clear distinction between being fully recovered and reaching the EOH.
The state’s Labor and Industry Review Commission (LIRC), which handles disputes in workers’ compensation cases, has explained this in real-world situations. In the case of Charles Ward v. St. Joseph's Hospital, the Commission ruled that healing is considered complete when no further treatment is expected to improve the worker’s abilities, even if the worker still needs treatment to manage pain. So, you can be considered "healed" legally while still dealing with significant symptoms.
This aligns with Wisconsin law under Wis. Stat. § 102.43(7)(b), which says temporary disability payments end when the worker’s healing is complete — meaning they’re as medically improved as they’re going to get, even if they’re not 100% improved.
So, Who Decides When Healing Ends?
Your doctor plays a big role in this. They’ll determine if you’ve hit that plateau where no further treatment will make you stronger or improve your range of motion. This is when they may declare you at maximum medical improvement (MMI).
But sometimes, there’s disagreement. Maybe your doctor says you’re still improving, while the insurance company’s doctor says you’re done. That’s when it makes sense to get an attorney involved – if your doctor believes you still need continued treatment, there is a claim to be made for partial wages while you are still unable to return to work, as well as other claims such as permanent damage to the body or loss of earning capacity.
Why Does EOH Matter So Much?
Reaching the EOH is a big milestone in your workers’ compensation claim — for better or worse. Your temporary disability benefits stop, and any applicable benefits for permanent damage begins. Once you reach MMI, those weekly checks you’ve been receiving for being off work (called temporary total disability benefits) will end. That’s because, under Wisconsin law, those payments are only for the healing period.
Your permanent disability rights kick in. Now’s the time your doctor will assess whether you have any permanent damage or restrictions. If you do, you may be entitled to permanent partial disability (PPD) payments or even vocational retraining if you can’t go back to your old job.
Your future work options might change. If your doctor says you have permanent restrictions — for example, you can’t lift more than 20 pounds or you can’t do overhead work — this can affect your ability to return to your previous job.
But What If You Disagree with the EOH Date?
This happens more often than you might think. If you feel like you’re still improving, or that more treatment could help, you can challenge the EOH determination provided by the insurance company’s doctor. The key is to have strong support from your doctor.
In Mark Brenner v. City of New Berlin, LIRC tackled a case where the worker was still receiving treatment, but the Commission decided that since the treatment was only helping to manage pain — not improving his ability to function — it didn’t delay the official EOH. So, it’s not just about whether you’re still seeing a doctor; it’s about whether that treatment is expected to make you better in a meaningful way.
What Injured Workers Should Keep in Mind
Reaching EOH doesn’t mean you’re cured. It just means your condition is stable and no longer improving with treatment. This is when your long-term rights begin. After MMI, your doctor will decide if you have permanent restrictions or disabilities that entitle you to more benefits.
You can push back. If you think you’re still improving, get your doctor to put that in writing. You can present this evidence if there’s a dispute. Get help if you need it. EOH is a turning point that affects your benefits, your job, and your financial future. A worker's comp lawyer can help make sure your rights are protected.
Bottom Line
In Wisconsin, EOH is a legal term that signals the end of one phase of your workers' comp claim and the start of another. It may not feel fair — especially if you’re still hurting — but it’s an important milestone that determines what benefits you can get going forward. By understanding this concept and knowing your rights, you can better navigate the system and make sure you’re getting the full support you deserve.