Skip to main content

Can You Choose A Doctor For Work-related Injury?

Most of the workers don't know whether they a right to choose a doctor for work-related injury or not. These rules vary from State to State. In some States workers can only visit a doctor recommended or chosen by the employer or employer's insurance company. While in other States injured worker have the option to select any doctor from the network, and this network is defined by the State, employer or employer's insurance company. These rules also varies whether you are visiting doctor just for initial checkup or for regular treatments of work-related injury.

Remember that all doctors don't deal with injured workers. Workers compensation billing and compensation is different from regular billing system that's why some doctors try to keep themselves away from these complications of work-related injuries. In this case your doctor may redirect you to some other physician.

Initial Checkup

In most of the States, you are allowed to visit any doctor of your choice for initial visit or for emergency treatment. It's your responsibility to tell your doctor in advance that the injury is related to work so that he can act accordingly. Your doctor might ask you to fill some forms for getting information about employer and workers compensation claims.

While in California if you get a work related injury then you have to visit a doctor from the network defined by your employer for initial checkup. However if you are not satisfied with the doctor then you may request for another option.

On-going Treatment

Some States have regulations regarding which physicians can handle work-related injuries. Some states have defined "attending" or "treating" physicians for worker compensation cases.

In most of the States there is specific criteria for healthcare providers to be admitted in workers compensation providers' network. Usually State defines this criteria, however in California, employers can create their own network of physicians for handling work comp injuries.

To select an appropriate doctor for your injury, firstly consult your current personal physician. Your current physician will firstly determine whether he can treat this work related injury or not. If your current physician is not able to treat you or you cannot find a suitable physician then consult a workers compensation lawyer for discussing this matter. These attorneys will direct you to a health care provider based on your specific needs.

Choosing a physician is an important decision so take a wise step. Remember that if your physician is not authorized by law then it might be possible that your employer, insurance company or the state may not pay for the work-related medical expenses.

Changing Physician

Most of the States allow you to change your attending physician if you are not satisfied with treatment or medical care. Some states have a specific limit to the number of times you can change a physician. Before taking the decision of switching, it is advisable to consult or take approval from your employer or the insurance company. In California, if you want to change your doctor then you can only go for the doctors within the employer's network. Remember that if you select a new doctor then inform them about work related injury and make sure that they fill out all forms and complete the documentation process.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Plea For `easy-to-access´ Long Covid Compensation Scheme

A nurse living with long Covid said a compensation scheme for frontline workers suffering from long-term effects of the virus needs to be “easy for workers to access” so employers cannot “hide” away from offering help. The Government has been urged to recognise Covid-19 as an occupational disease, as some sufferers have found it hard to return to work. Symptoms of long Covid include ongoing fatigue, loss of taste or smell, and respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and this week Professor Danny Altmann, from Imperial College London, said up to 20% of patients are reporting symptoms of the disease weeks after becoming ill. One Yorkshire nurse, who asked to remain anonymous, believes she first caught Covid back in April, after travelling in an ambulance with an infectious patient. She has struggled to return to work and suffers from fatigue, migraines, dizziness, brain fog and shortness of breath. The oncology nurse said she “fully supported” the APPG’s (All-Party Parliamentary Group) ...
1 comment
Read more

$6 Trillion Stimulus: Here's Who Got Relief Money So Far

Small businesses: $1 trillion, with $42 billion more on the way Congress created a variety of loan and grant programs for small business owners, many of whom had to shut their doors because of state and local lockdown rules throughout the pandemic. The Paycheck Protection Program, created in March 2020, reached the most businesses, delivering more than 11 million loans worth nearly $800 billion that the government will forgive if the owner used a certain portion of money to pay staff. Another $220 billion has been lent to business owners through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which provides low-interest, long-term loans. Relief for theaters is here, but that doesn't mean the Nutcracker will be back this Christmas Congress subsequently created two other grant programs, one for struggling restaurants and one for shuttered theaters, music venues, promoters and museums. The restaurant program has delivered nearly $6 billion to date. Another $23 billion is on the way. Theate...
1 comment
Read more