Medical Treatment For Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

If you have received a workers’ comp injury, you should seek immediate medical attention.  Your employer may have on-site health care which is appropriate for you to go to.  Otherwise, you should seek treatment at an emergency room, an urgent care clinic or even your own family physician.  Make sure you tell the medical provider that your injury was received while working on the job so that your medical records are accurately documented.  Many claims have been ruined by failure to mention the work related nature of the injury to the medical provider.

Accepted Claims

If your workers’ comp claim is accepted, your medical treatment will be directed by the workers’ compensation insurance company because the carrier is paying for your medical expenses.  Sometimes you may find that you are not comfortable with a certain medical provider that the insurance company has sent you to and as such, you can petition the Industrial Commission for permission to change medical providers.  If you have an attorney, this is something your attorney would do for you.

Chiropractic Care

If the workers’ compensation insurance company approves it, you can receive up to 20 visits from a chiropractor.    If your chiropractor requires more than 20 visits of care, and the workers’ compensation carrier does not authorize additional care with the chiropractor, any additional chiropractic care must be approved by the Industrial Commission.

Second Opinions

You have a legal right to a second medical opinion if you are not satisfied with the opinion of the medical provider you initially are treating with and usually, the insurance adjuster for your employer’s carrier will agree to this.  However, if they do not agree, then you can petition the Industrial Commission for a second opinion.

Denied Claims

If your workers’ compensation claim is denied, the workers’ compensation carrier will not pay for any additional medical treatment.  However, they may be required to pay for any treatment that you have had through the date of the denial.  Once your claim has been denied, you may seek additional treatment, however that treatment will need to be filed under any health insurance under which you are covered.

If your claim has been denied, you have the right to request a hearing.  The hearing is requested by filing a Form 33.  If your claim has been denied, you should contact an attorney immediately to discuss your claim.

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