Can I Treat With My Own Doctor?

When you suffer an injury or illness in Lancaster or anywhere in Pennsylvania, it is important to have trust in the doctor who provides your medical care. Your health is very personal and you probably would like to have a familiar physician treat you. If you are injured on the job and wish to file for workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania, however, your employer has the right to exert a certain amount of control over the doctor you choose.

In Pennsylvania, employers are allowed to control medical treatment for the first 90 days of treatment for a work-related injury. In order to have this right, employers must have a panel of doctors of various specialties that are available to employees, and the employee will then choose a doctor from this panel. Once this initial 90-day period is over, the employee may treat with any doctor of his or her own choosing.

Independent Medical Examination

In workers’ compensation cases, insurance companies have the right to send injured workers who are either seeking or receiving benefits to independent medical examinations (IMEs). This is not a treating doctor, but one selected by the insurance company to examine you and report back to the insurance company about your condition. Based on this report, the insurance company may seek to deny, change or even terminate benefits. This request can happen even after the first 90 days, and, if you are receiving benefits, an insurance company may request an IME every six months.

Some insurance companies will also attempt to send nurses to claimants’ medical appointments. You do not have to consent to this. In fact, the purpose of the nurses is generally to obtain information adverse to your case.

You have the absolute right to refuse the nurse permission to go into the exam room with you or to speak with your doctor.

Prompt Medical Treatment is Important

If you have a work injury or illness, it is essential that you report the injury as soon as possible to your employer, and seek appropriate, prompt medical attention.

Contact us at the Lancaster law firm of Vanasse Law LLC to learn more about your rights at a free initial consultation. Call us toll free at 717-397-1010 to make an appointment and speak with an attorney in person about your situation.