One of the biggest questions that people have after being injured on the job is this: Can I choose my own doctor? The short answer is “yes,” but there are other things that have to happen before you make that decision. Here is some information that you need to know about choosing your own workers comp doctor in Arlington, TX.
Initial Visits
Immediately following your injury on the job, it’s essential to get documentation of the incident and the injuries that you suffered. For this initial phase, you can typically see any doctor you choose. One reason for that is because you may need to seek emergency care depending on how bad the injury is. You don’t have time to research different doctors in emergency situations and if your injury requires immediate care, it should be covered by your company’s insurance policy.
If your injury does not require medical care, however, some states require you to see a company doctor for the initial visit. California, for instance, requires employees to see a physician in the company’s medical provider network. Once the initial phase is over, the employee is free to consult with the physician of their choice for a second opinion.
Extended Treatment
In some cases, your injury may only require a brief treatment before you’re back to the job like nothing ever happened. But if your injuries require extended treatment, you will need to check with your state’s regulations about who can provide that treatment. Some states only allow M.D.s and D.O.s to treat workers comp cases for an extended period while other states also allow a physician’s assistant and a registered nurse to provide treatment. One way to get more information about the regulations in your state is to speak with your primary care physician. They might be able to treat you or they can refer you to a doctor that specializes in workers comp cases.
Changing Physicians
If you aren’t satisfied with the care you are getting from your workers comp doctor in Arlington, you can switch physicians. Depending on the state in which you live, there may be a limit to the number of times you can switch doctors. You may also need written approval from your employer in order to switch doctors. To be safe, consult with your employer’s workers compensation insurance agency before switching doctors to determine the proper procedures so you don’t damage your case.
