It is important to take the right steps when seeking medical treatment after you have suffered an injury or illness while at work.  Getting the appropriate medical care is not only important for your health and recovery, but also for maximizing your workers’ compensation benefits and making sure that you’re properly compensated for your injuries.

 

When to Seek Treatment?

There are two reasons that being treated immediately after you’ve been injured is important.  Number one, early treatment makes it more likely that you’ll recover from your injuries.  Secondly, getting medical treatment immediately after your accident makes it less likely your employer may argue that your injuries are not work-related.  You should seek treatment right away, even if your injury seems minor.  This means seeing a doctor immediately after a work-related accident or at the first sign of any symptoms that might be due to your employment.  Any delay may impede your recovery, and it can affect the type of treatment workers’ compensation will authorize or reduce the amount of benefits you are entitled to receive.

 

Where should You Go to Get Treatment?

For emergency situations you should go to the nearest emergency room for immediate medical care.  For non-emergency situations, you’ll need to follow the rules for properly obtaining medical care.  Federal Workers’ Compensation allows the injured employee to choose the physician and they may select any qualified local physician or hospital to provide necessary treatment.

 

It is important you receive treatment from a doctor you know and trust.  Select a doctor who is both experienced and articulate.  Treating physicians provide written reports and sometimes oral testimony, so it’s important that your doctor can clearly and convincingly explain the reasoning for their decisions regarding your care.  Make sure that you obtain treatment through a properly licensed or credentialed doctor or you risk your medical bills will not be covered.

 

What Role Does Your Treating Doctor Play?

The doctor who treats you will play a major role in your workers’ compensation case.  Your treating doctor will make the important decisions about your care, such as: Whether or not your injuries are work-related, the nature and scope of the treatment you receive, how much time off from work is required or if you’ll need light duty work and for how long.  They’ll also decide when you have reached maximum medical improvement, but most importantly they will decide the extent to which you have any permanent disability.

 

The decisions your treating doctor makes has a major impact on what treatment you’ll receive and what benefits you are entitled to.  If your doctor says you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, which means that your condition has plateaued and further medical treatment isn’t helpful.  This means you are no longer entitled to temporary disability benefits.  The degree of permanent disability that your doctor believes you have will dictate the amount of permanent disability benefits you are entitled to.

 

What Should You Tell Your Doctor?

Doctors rely on patients to report symptoms, severity of pain, and activities that are difficult or impossible to perform.  Because some injuries can be more subjective in nature, it is important for you to explain to your doctor what you’re feeling.

 

Be honest and accurate, describe your symptoms to your doctor truthfully.  Be sure not to exaggerate, but at the same time don’t downplay your symptoms either.  Experienced doctors know when you’re not telling the truth, or if you are over exaggerating and you’ll lose credibility with them.

 

Tell them everything, be sure to tell your doctor about all of your symptoms, even ones that seem minor.  The doctor is the expert, let him or her decide what’s important and what isn’t.  Symptoms that seem insignificant now may develop into a serious problem later.  Don’t guess, if you don’t know the answer to a question your doctor asks, say so.  Never guess about what the cause of your injuries might be, and don’t convey that you have fully recovered from an injury unless you’re positive that is the case.

 

Who Pays for Your Medical Bills?

The OWCP uses a schedule of maximum allowable medical charges.  This schedule applies to charges for medical services rendered by providers (i.e., physicians, surgeons, optometrists, osteopathic practitioners, physicians' assistants, and therapists), including those services rendered in a hospital or nursing home.  The employee is not responsible for amounts charged in excess of the maximum allowable medical charges.

 

Getting Help

Workers’ compensation claims can be difficult to navigate, especially if OWCP is fighting any portion of your claim.  An experienced workers’ compensation doctor can be invaluable in making sure you’re fully compensated for your loss.