Medical treatment plays an important role in most workers’ compensation claims. The injured employee has to see a doctor who confirms that their condition relates to their work. The doctor also proposes a treatment plan that may include time off of work, light-duty job responsibilities or accommodations to keep the employee on the job.
The physician overseeing the claim also determines when the employee can return to work and what, if any, functional limitations they have at that point. Sometimes, a worker receiving care and in need of disability coverage may disagree with the opinion of the doctor providing their care.
Can they see a different medical professional to get a second opinion?
Second opinions can be helpful
Most employees seeking care through workers’ compensation have to choose a doctor from a panel of options provided by their employer. The connection to the business can compromise the perspective of the doctor as they evaluate and treat the employee.
Second opinions can help support a worker’s claim that they have not fully recovered or can provide alternate options for treatment. Any medical patient generally has the right to seek a second or third opinion from healthcare providers not actively involved in their diagnosis or treatment.
Unfortunately, workers’ compensation may not cover the cost of a second opinion. Workers may need to use their own resources to pay for an appointment with a different medical professional. Depending on the extent of their injuries and the nature of their dispute with the physician, doing so might be a worthwhile choice.
Another doctor could affirm that a worker is not ready to return to their job and that they require additional treatment. They may be able to propose a more effective or less-invasive treatment regimen than the physician currently overseeing the claim. The information that the outside medical professional provides can be crucial when negotiating for workers’ compensation benefits or appealing an unfavorable decision.
Injured employees frustrated by the opinions of the doctors overseeing their care may need help understanding their rights as their workers’ compensation claim process unfolds. Learning more about the rules that apply could help employees assert themselves and get the support they need to recover physically and financially from a work injury.
