Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Medical expenses can vary depending on the injury, but as long as they are prescribed by your physician and are designed to treat your work-related injury, they should be covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

Work through an Approved Doctor

It is important that you see an approved doctor for workers’ compensation medical benefits. While you are entitled to seek treatment from any physician, you must inform your physician that you are being treated for a work-related injury. Remember to mention this at the time you make the appointment. Not all physicians will treat patients who are using workers’ compensation insurance because they are not in compliance with the Medical Fee Guide and WCC rules.

Once you find a physician that accepts the WCC Medical Fee Guide, you will need to inform them about your injury, including:

• The date and time it happened
• How it happened
• Any symptoms you have noticed since the injury
• Information regarding pre-existing conditions or injuries
• The pain or difficulties you are having because of that injury

You can ask your workers’ compensation insurance company for provider recommendations, but most physician types are covered under workers’ compensation, including:

• General doctors
• Chiropractors
• Osteopaths
• Surgeons
• Dentists
• Speech-language pathologists
• Audiologists
• Physical therapists
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Occupational therapists
• Pharmacies
• Nurse anesthetist
• Optometrists
• Podiatrists
• Acupuncturists
• Physician’s assistants
• And other health care professionals

What Medical Procedures are Covered?

The treatment of your work-related injury or illness should be covered. That means any procedures, tests, and treatments that are needed to help you recover are something workers’ compensation insurance should pay for, this can include:

• Covering any diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, MRIs and even blood work.
• Covering alternative treatments. This can include acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, and other non-traditional treatments, as long as they are recommended and performed by a licensed professional.
• Covering prescription medications. If you are prescribed medications for your illness or injury, then workers’ compensation will cover the cost of those prescriptions, including any medications that are administered in a hospital setting.
• Covering emergency room, hospital, and other overnight care. If you have to stay in the hospital or you were seen in the emergency room for your injury, workers’ compensation is required to pay for these services. If you require surgery, then the procedure and the stay at the hospital are also covered.
• Covering rehabilitation costs. Any rehabilitation treatments, including physical and therapeutic care, are covered.

Are There Limitations on Treatments?

There are some limitations to treatments, but this can vary depending on the type of injury and the severity of that injury. If you need additional treatments that have been approved by a physician, then it should be covered under workers’ compensation insurance.

If, however, the insurer feels they are not medically necessary, then they may deny your claim. It is best to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney in Jacksonville regarding treatment limitations.

How Medical Bills are Paid

When you get medical treatment through workers’ compensation, you will open a claim. After that, the workers’ compensation company will pay the physician or treating facility directly, and the bills should be paid immediately as long as the claim is open.

Handing Over Medical Records to the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Carrier

You may be required to hand over your medical records to workers’ compensation insurance carriers as part of their review process. You will need to comply with medical record requests as refusing to provide your medical records could result in a denied application for compensation.

Contact Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Your Area for Assistance

If you were injured at work, you are entitled to medical coverage for your work-related injury or illness. But, to ensure you get maximum compensation, you need to have a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer by your side that understands the rules regarding workers’ compensation insurance.

The Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at Hardesty, Tyde, Green & Ashton is here to help you with your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your workers’ compensation case. There is no obligation to hire us when you meet with us and we offer free case evaluations.

Call us now at 904-414-4906 and meet us at one of our two convenient Jacksonville locations.