If you get hurt on the job, one of the first things you’ll do is see your medical provider for help. Who you see to assist you could make a difference in your workers’ compensation, because a medical provider who specializes in injuries like yours is going to have more knowledge about it than one who doesn’t.
You aren’t always going to be able to seek your own doctor after a workers’ compensation claim. For example, if you don’t have a medical emergency, then your employer may give you a place to go to seek medical support. There, you’ll see a specific doctor chosen by the insurance company.
Is there ever a time you can select your own medical provider?
Yes. If your claim for workers’ compensation is denied, then you can seek your own doctor. You can also choose your own if you submit a request to have a medical evaluation but don’t get a timely response from the insurance company. You will also have the option of seeing your own doctor in an emergency when you need immediate treatment and also when an insurance company uses managed care arrangements. In these arrangements, you can select which doctor to work with from a group or network.
What if you think the medical provider chosen isn’t helpful or doesn’t understand your injuries?
If you don’t like the medical provider you’re sent to, then you can ask to change to a different provider. You can select a new provider once while your workers’ compensation claim is being reviewed. So, for example, if you have a first consultation with a doctor who doesn’t seem to understand your injuries, you can also seek a second opinion while your claim is being reviewed.
Your medical provider’s report is essential to the claims process
The medical provider’s report is going to determine your level of benefits, tell you when you can go back to work and under which circumstances you can return to work. If you don’t think that the insurance company’s doctor is looking out for your best interests, you should look into switching to one that you trust.