Getting hurt on the job can lead to a number of frustrating setbacks. Professionals may miss work as they recover from their injuries. In some cases, their absence could be lengthy, and they may require intensive medical care.
The treatment plan that the worker must follow and even what on-the-job accommodations they can obtain depend in part on the recommendations made by a medical professional. The physician managing the care of the injured employee decides when they can get back to work and what types of support they may require to work safely.
A physician’s influence has a major impact on a worker’s prognosis and financial stability. The selection of a physician is a key component of any workers’ compensation claim. Who decides which physician treats an injured employee?
Every claim is slightly different
There are relatively thorough, nuanced rules that govern workers’ compensation claims in California. The rules regarding the selection of a physician differ depending on the circumstances. The timing of the inquiry and also the policies of the employer influence who can choose the treating physician.
In the early claims process, the claims administrator overseeing the claim selects the physician treating the employee. However, that arrangement is generally only mandatory for the first 30 days. After that, the employee can theoretically choose their own physician.
Their ability to do so depends on their employer’s practices. If the company informs workers when hiring them that the organization participates with a medical provider network (MPN), then that influences the options the worker has for selecting a physician. An MPN should include a variety of professionals who have experience in different areas of medicine and experience handling work-related injuries. The worker must select a doctor from the MPN.
If the company does not participate in an MPN, then the employee generally has the right to choose the doctor overseeing their care. Professionals worried about their recovery and other concerns, such as travel time, may want to make use of their right to select their own physicians during workers’ compensation claims.
Understanding the rules for workers’ compensation claims can help empower employees to make the most of the benefits available to them. Workers can often select their own physicians if they require more than just immediate care after getting hurt on the job.