Dissatisfied With Your Workmans Compensation Insurance

Workmans compensation insurance is a relief to have when you've been injured on the job. Despite the amount of relief it brings, workman's comp can sometimes lead to frustrations and headaches, especially when it comes to the medical care you're receiving. Like your privately-held insurance, workman's compensation insurance relies on a set list of providers that it works with. Sometimes, you are only given one option as to the doctor you see. If you trust the doctor and think that he or she is making well-informed medical decisions for you, great. But what do you do if you dislike the doctor's recommendations?

While it isn't always feasible, it is workable to change the doctor who oversees your workplace injury. First, you need to identify why you want to switch doctors.

The doctor is incompetent: If you think that the doctor to whom you are assigned is providing subpar or inadequate care, then you need to file a complaint with your insurance company and with your state's medical review board. Since these are serious allegations, you may want to consult an attorney with worker's comp or medical malpractice experience. You dislike the doctor: The state in which you are receiving workman's comp care determines the policies for changing doctors. Some states allow companies to set their policies, while other provide guidelines. Some allow you to change doctors as many times as you choose. In other states, you have limited windows of time during which you can change providers, during the first ninety days of care, for example. Other states require you to request a change of doctor through the insurance company. You should contact your insurance company to understand the policies that govern changing doctors. If they say that changing doctors isn't a possibility, you should contact an attorney with workman's comp experience. An attorney will know state laws governing workman's comp. Can review the policies of the companies while advocating for you with the insurance company.

3) You want to change doctors because you don't agree with your disability rating: According to worker's comp policies, a doctor oversees your care until they think that you have reached your maximum recovery, called maximum medical improvement. The doctor then assigns you a disability rating which determines the amount of disability compensation that you receive. If you disagree with your physician and think that your disability impairs you more than your rating reflects, you have the right to request a second opinion. You will need to contact the office that oversees worker's comp in your state. You will have to make a formal request for a second opinion, which they will accept or deny.

While you can navigate the world of worker's comp on your own, an attorney specializing in the field can work as your advocate with your state offices and insurance company so that you can ensure a competent medical team, a solid treatment plan, and a fair disability rating.

Do you have questions for Florida Workers Compensation? Then you should be sure to check out our website.