Injuries on the job happen every day. If you or a loved one experienced a workplace injury, you may need assistance with physical and financial recovery.
Thankfully, you may be able to receive relief through a workers’ comp claim. The physician has a great deal to do with this process, and there are a few things you should know.
Physician determinations
The treating physician is in charge of various aspects of your medical recovery. This may include:
- Diagnosing your condition, its cause and proper treatment
- Determining when you may need time off from work and when you can return
- Establishing when you have lasting limitations or permanent disability
Considering the critical decisions this physician will make for you, it is important that you trust your physician’s judgment and motivation. Therefore, it may be beneficial for you to select your own physician.
Physician predesignation
If you have a healthcare plan in place, it is possible for you to select your treatment physician. According to the California guidebook for injured workers, an employee may select a treatment physician even if an employer is part of a managed provider network or healthcare organization, as long as the employee makes the designation known before the workplace injury occurs, and the primary care physician agrees to provide such treatment.
Changing physicians
If you do not agree with the diagnoses and proposed treatment of the treating physician, even if it is your own primary care provider, you have the option to change physicians. However, if your employer has an MPN or HCO in place, there may be certain restrictions, such as the second choice being in-network.
Understanding these aspects of your treating physician after your workplace injury can be valuable to your treatment process. It may also be helpful to review the guidebook in full, so that you can make the best decision for your situation.