This really depends on the state, and at some times selection of the doctor for workers comp will be controlled by the employer or the insurance company, and in some other states, it is controlled by the injured employee. To elevate this complication so many states concluded to blend it by dividing the control between the employer and the injured employee. Because the law of each state is different, for both patients and doctors it can be very confusing.
SO LET’S SEE WHO CHOOSES THE DOCTORS FOR WORKERS COMP IN EACH STATE:
- Alaska : Injured workers can choose the doctor.
- Texas : Injured workers can choose the doctor. but they must choose from a list of certified doctors which is made by the state.
- California : injured workers can choose the doctor, but they have to choose within the list of the employer’s medical provider network.
- Montana : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- New Mexico : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Arizona : Injured workers can choose the doctor.
- Nevada : Injured workers can choose the doctor, but they have to choose a doctor from the list of certified doctors made by the state.
- Colorado : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Oregon : Injured worker chooses the doctor, but if the employer was the part of managed care plan then the employee has to choose a doctor from the same plan.
- Wyoming : Injured worker chooses the doctor.
- Alabama : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Arkansas : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Connecticut : The employer or carrier can choose the doctor, but later injured worker can choose the subsequent doctor.
- Delaware : The employer or carrier can choose the doctor at first but there is an option for the injured worker to see a doctor of their own choice.
- Florida : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Georgia : Injured workers can choose the doctor, But they should not select one of the six doctors who are restricted by the employer.
- Hawaii : Injured workers can choose a doctor.
- Idaho : Employee or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Illinois : Injured workers can choose a doctor but if an employer has a preferred provider network then he or she can choose the doctor from the same list.
- Indiana : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Lowa : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Kansas : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Kentucky : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Lousiana : Injured workers can choose the doctor.
- Maine : Doctors who treat for the first 10 days are chosen by the employer but later injured workers can choose a doctor.
- Maryland : Injured workers can choose a doctor.
- Massachusetts : Injured workers can choose a doctor.
- Michigan : Doctor Who treats the first 20 days or chosen by the employer but later injured workers can choose a doctor.
- Minnesota : Injured workers can choose the doctor, but they have to choose from the list of managed care plans if the employer is part of it.
- Mississippi : Injured workers can choose a doctor.
- Missouri : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Nebraska : employer or injured worker both have the right to choose the doctor.
- New Hampshire : Injured workers can choose a doctor but if the employer was the part of managed care plan then they have to choose a doctor with the same plan.
- New Jersey : Employer or carrier can choose a doctor.
- New York : Injured workers can choose a doctor but they have to choose from the list of doctors who are certified by the state.
- North California : Employer or carrier can choose a doctor.
- North Dakota : Injured worker chooses the doctor, but the doctor who treats the first 30 days or chosen by the employer.
- Ohio : Injured workers can choose the doctor but they must choose the doctor in the list of doctors who are certified by the state.
- Oklahoma : Employer or carrier can choose a doctor.
- Pennsylvania : Injured worker can choose the doctor, but the first doctor who treats for 90 days is chosen by the employer or carrier.
- Rode island : Injured workers can choose the doctor.
- South Carolina : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Tennessee : Injured workers choose the doctor but they have to choose a doctor from the list which is made by the employer.
- Texas : Injured workers choose the doctor but they have to choose a doctor from the list of certified doctors which is made by the state.
- Utah : Employer or carrier can choose the doctor.
- Vermont : Injured workers can choose the doctor but the first visit doctor is chosen by the employer.
- Virginia : Injured workers can choose a doctor but they must choose a doctor from the list of an employer made.
- Washington : Injured workers can choose the doctor.
- West Virginia : Injured worker chooses the doctor but they have to choose a doctor from a list which is provided by the employer.
- Wisconsin : Injured workers can choose the doctor.
WHAT TO DO AFTER GETTING INJURED AT WORK?
The first and the best step is to treat, if you have been hurt at the workplace your priority should be to see medical assistance from the hospital or emergency room or a physician. Don’t consider any injury as not worth seeking medical attention because sometimes injuries that seem like they are minor can end up being more serious. Like today’s strain back could turn out to be tomorrow’s ruptured disk.
The next step to take is to report immediately after getting injured when you have been injured at the workplace reporting the accident to your employer within 30 days is extremely important from a legal point of you view. Sit with your employer or manager and report to them exactly what happened.
And the third step is to file. So many people who have been injured at the workplace, become comfortable once they report the injury to their employer or talk with the insurance company‘s representative, but it’s very important to follow up and make sure the reports get filed quickly and promptly.