Choosing a Federal Workers Comp Doctor
Being injured at work is very scary. Not only are you in pain, but you also have to deal with all of the rules that govern your company’s workers comp policies. One thing that you need to understand is that you have choices. While you may be sent to the company doctor or the emergency room, you have the right to choose your own doctor.
Exercise Your Rights Under laws set by the U.S. Department of Labor, if you are injured on the job, you can exercise your choice of doctor. Your initial visit at the ER does not count toward this choice.
How to Choose a Federal Workers Comp Doctor
You want to carefully choose your doctor. This person will be your lifeline in diagnosing your condition and making the decisions that will determine at what speed you recover or whether you will recover fully at all. Your main goal is a successful recovery and returning to work. What do you need to consider when choosing a federal workers comp doctor?
1. Will you be able to get on-going treatment from the doctor that you are currently seeing or does he/she only offer emergency or urgent care?
2. Is your doctor experienced in worker’s compensation rules and filing paperwork?
3. Is your doctor experienced in fighting for the rights of worker’s comp patients?
These questions will help you determine if you need to exercise your rights to change doctors or not. If you answer, “no”, to any of these questions, you will want to find another doctor to take care of you and help you on your recovery back to full health.
Following Policy While Exercising Your Rights
There are policies that the Department of Labor has set when an employee is injured or hurt. It is important for you to cooperate with their requirements. It is important to note, however, that your initial visit to the emergency room does not mean that you have to continue your care with these particular doctors. An ER or Urgent Care Clinic is great for immediate care, but they are not the place that you want to go for ongoing treatment.
That is why you want to carefully choose a doctor that will guide you and help you through your recovery process. By following the above considerations, you will be able to find that doctor that will give you the care that you need and be able to handle dealing with the worker’s comp insurance and with your employer. Then you can focus on getting well and recovering from your injury.
