Prioritizing your health should always be your main concern when you suffer an injury in the workplace. In an ideal world, you would seek medical care from someone you know and trust, rather than a doctor who is assigned to you from your employer. In some states, you are required to see a doctor that is chosen by your employer or their workers compensation insurance.
After a workplace injury in New York, workers have some legal rights and are given more control under New York's system than in other states.
Although there are certain requirements, the answer is yes, you can choose your own doctor in New York. Get help if you need it if you're facing challenges with your workers' compensation case.
It's important to contact our NYC workers' comp lawyers for advice on how to get the most out of your benefits. Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law has helped clients in New York for years. Find out how we can help you today.
In An Emergency, You Can Go To Any Doctor For Medical Care
You are free to visit any emergency room in the event that your work-related injury is considered a medical emergency. It is not necessary to verify that the emergency room physician you will be seeing on your way to the hospital is qualified to treat work-related injuries or is on a list of approved doctors if you are being transported to the hospital in an ambulance. Workers' compensation will pay for it if it's an emergency. The regulations are a bit different for when being treated for non-emergency care.
New York State Laws For Workplace Injuries And Choosing a Doctor
Under the workers compensation system in New York, injured workers have some choice in picking their own doctor. There are certain restrictions on the ability of employees to choose their own medical care provider under New York State Workers Compensation laws. However, the New York State Workers' Compensation Board must authorize the selected healthcare provider. Through its website or direct inquiry, this Board keeps a comprehensive list of approved doctors and specialists.
Your workers' compensation claim could get complicated if you don't follow the rules and choose an authorized medical professional. If the doctor who is treating you isn't on the approved list, your medical expenses may not be covered. Therefore, it is important to consult with an approved healthcare provider from the beginning of your treatment to guarantee that you receive the benefits to which you are entitled.
Furthermore, workers must notify their employers without delay of any injuries sustained on the job and must keep their employers informed of any changes in their healthcare providers. Making sure your employer and workers' compensation insurance company are informed will help your claim go more smoothly.
This is why it's important to speak with an experienced workers comp lawyer about your case, especially if you need help understanding or complying with New York's workers' compensation laws.
Workers Comp Insurance May Choose Your Doctor Initially
There may be a network of doctors and hospitals that have been contracted to treat you at a discounted fee through your workers' compensation insurance company's preferred provider organization (PPO). In order to receive treatment for your injuries within the first 30 days following the accident, you need to select a physician who is part of the PPO. After the first 30 days, though, you are usually free to see any doctor who is approved by the Workers' Compensation Board instead of your PPO doctor.
You Can See A New Doctor at Any Time
Patients can change doctors whenever they are unhappy with their treatment. You are allowed to visit any doctor who is part of the PPO network for the first 30 days of treatment provided that is what your insurance covers. If your PPO does not cover you after 30 days, you can change doctors at any time with the approval of the Workers' Compensation Board.
Ensure You Get The Medical Care and Benefits You Are Entitled To
When it comes to who can treat you, New York law is quite worker-friendly. However, when it comes to what can be paid for, the laws can make it more limited. In order to keep their out-of-pocket medical costs to a minimum, insurance companies take a cautious approach when interpreting these recommendations. Getting a surgery or medicine approved can be challenging, even when your treating physician is sure it's reasonable and essential.
Consult with an experienced New York workers comp lawyer who will fight to ensure you get the medical care you require. The lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law will handle the legal aspects of your case because we have been there, done that for numerous injured workers in New York.
We offer free consultations and are delighted to explain your rights if you have questions regarding your doctor-choice rights or any other part of treatment for a job injury. Call us today.