Can Workers' Comp Make Me Change Doctors?

Roughly 15 workers a day lose their lives in some kind of work-related injury or illness and over 15,000 more are injured. When faced with injury, knowing that you have someone on your side that you can trust makes the process a little easier and less intimidating.

Function

• Workers' compensation insurance is a mandatory state program that offers medical care and loss of wages to an employee when directly relating to an injury, accident or occupational disease while at work. Employers must provide this program to the employee at no cost.

Considerations

• Workers' compensation rules vary by state. In general, your insurance carrier must approve a doctor at the time of your accident and any follow-up treatments necessary. In some states, you must select a doctor from an employer-sanctioned list. That said, unless state court orders a change of doctors, neither your employer nor workers' compensation may compel you to change doctors.

Legal considerations

• Consult with your local state workers' compensation board. If necessary, seek advice from an attorney. Most initial consultations are little to no cost and after the first visit, many firms charge no fee until you collect on your claim.