Workers’ Compensation: Medical Care Rules
When you have been injured at work, you might not know what your options are in terms of medical care. Do you have to see a doctor your employer recommends? Can you go to your primary physician?
At Pfeiffer Brown DiNicola & Frantz in Pottsville, we understand Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system and the medical care rules. Our experienced legal team includes a Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist,* and we have worked with injured workers and various medical providers for decades.
We urge you to contact us today to get your specific questions answered. We do not charge to provide information or advice.
When you are suffering from a workplace injury or work-related illness, you have the right to receive medical treatment that is reasonable, necessary and related to your condition. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider must pay for the cost of this care.
Medical Care After A Workplace Injury: The 90-Day Rule
After a workplace injury, it is important to report the incident to your employer and ask for a list of panel physicians or company doctors. Employers are generally required to post such a list. Typically, you must treat with a doctor on this list for the first 90 days after an injury and this will be billed to your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
If your employer does not fulfill certain requirements, like posting the list of panel physicians, you can see any doctor you wish during the first 90 days. Call us to talk about your specific problem free of charge: 570-391-0199.
You may choose to see your own doctor during the 90-day period, but the workers’ compensation provider is unlikely to pay for this. Once the 90 days are up and your claim has been accepted, you can see a doctor of your choosing for further treatment of the workplace injury. You should not have to pay any fees or copays for care related to your work injury once your claim is accepted, including:
- Doctor visits
- Surgery
- Hospital visits
- Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications
- Medical devices
Should You Accept A Lump-Sum Settlement?
Your employer or its insurance company may offer you a one-time settlement to pay for your medical expenses and/or wage loss. We encourage you to talk to a reputable workers’ compensation attorney before deciding whether to accept a settlement. We can answer your questions free of charge.
Depending on your injuries, it may or may not be wise to accept a lump-sum settlement. It can be difficult to predict how much medical care you will need in the future. For example, you may need surgery for a back injury, and the settlement offer may cover this. But until you undergo the surgery and fully recover, you cannot know the actual costs. Surgeries can result in costly complications that require extensive rehab and additional procedures. As experienced workers’ compensation lawyers, we have the skills and knowledge it takes to help you determine whether the settlement is adequate.
Learn About Your Options. Contact Us For Free.
Your workplace injury case is unique, and it is important to talk to a lawyer about the specifics of your case before making important decisions. We would be happy to answer your questions for free. We do not charge for advice. We only charge fees when we win compensation for our clients. Learn more here. Contact us today by calling 570-391-0199 or sending an email.
*Rob Frantz is certified as a specialist in the practice of workers’ compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.