The insurance company pays the medical bills for work-related wk injury/illness treatment. It is unlawful for an employer to advise you to utilize your health insurance or switch physicians without obtaining consent from the insurer. Workers’ compensation provides salary replacement, medical treatment, permanent disability benefits, and death benefits. It also guarantees most employees that their employer will continue to pay the group health insurance premiums they would usually be required to pay.
Prescription Drugs
Injured workers often face challenges getting prescription medications to treat their work injuries. It is because of the complex regulation of workers’ compensation and how third-party administrators. Medications can be expensive and have serious side effects like constipation, gastrointestinal discomfort, or even erectile dysfunction with long-term use. Luckily, most states provide prescription medication coverage for injured workers.
Medical Bills
Generally speaking, medical care under workers compensation Oregon covers those who are hurt on the job or are ill as a result. It includes doctor’s visits, diagnostic testing like x-rays and MRIs, rehabilitation treatment, and prescription medication. Injured workers also often require medical equipment such as crutches, canes, or wheelchairs, and these costs are typically reimbursed through workers’ comp insurance as well. Your treating physician will play a crucial role in your claim, not only by diagnosing you but also by writing reports and giving testimony that can impact your eligibility for benefits. Give your doctor the claim number as soon as your insurance company offers one, and mention that your health problem is related to your employment. It ensures that your medical bills are being paid correctly and promptly. Unpaid medical bills may trigger collection activity and negatively impact credit scores. An insurance company may occasionally try to dispute a legitimate medical charge. If this happens, you can submit a Petition for Review to the WCC.
Doctor’s Visits
Doctors’ visits are a big part of any workers’ comp claim. The doctor’s evaluation can make or break a claim for benefits. The key is to attend every appointment and follow the doctors’ instructions for treatment. Doctors who treat injured workers are required by law to provide medical care that is covered under workers’ compensation. Your employer can only choose your doctors if the doctor is in your company’s preferred provider organization or if a collective bargaining agreement establishes limits. Being honest with your doctor about the extent of your injuries is essential. Doctors specializing in workers’ compensation keenly understand whether patients lie or exaggerate. In addition, the doctor has medical instruments and diagnostic technology to help determine the truth of your symptoms. If you are unclear about what to tell the physicians, speak with your attorney. They can help you prepare for your IME (independent medical exam). Also, keeping track of your medical appointments and the reason for each appointment is essential.
Surgery
Often, injured workers require surgery to treat their injuries. Fortunately, workers’ compensation should cover any surgery necessary to treat your injury. It includes orthopedic surgeries that treat the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons). You cannot be forced to have any surgery, but your doctor should recommend it if your injury is severe. Insurance companies often try to delay the approval of surgery. They do this, for example, by ignoring requests for permission from medical offices, which irritates the physicians and causes treatment to be delayed. They might also claim they need more information or that the surgery is inappropriate.
