Does Workers’ Comp Cover Medical Specialists in Illinois?
Medical specialists are often crucial for workers recovering from serious injuries. These specialists may include physiotherapists, neurologists, orthopedists, pain management specialists, chiropractors, and many others. But does workers’ comp in Illinois actually cover these additional appointments? How do you know whether your claim will provide enough compensation for an effective recovery process?
The First Step Is to Choose a Doctor
Before considering the role of specialists in your recovery process, you should first carefully select your primary medical provider. After a workplace injury, you have the right to choose your own doctor. Under Illinois law, you may choose up to two doctors for initial treatment. If your employer has a Preferred Provider Program (PPP), you may only be able to choose one doctor.
Why is choosing a doctor so important? When you choose a doctor, they become responsible for referring you to medical specialists. This is the only way to see a specialist under workers’ comp coverage. If you choose to see a specialist without a referral, this treatment will not be covered under your workers’ comp claim.
It may be worth seeing a doctor you trust to make sure you get the referrals you need. For example, you might see a family doctor you have known for many years. This type of doctor might be willing to refer you to a range of specialists, giving you access to more reliable and effective health care.
Specialist Care Must Be Medically Necessary
You must also seek medically necessary specialist treatment if you want it to be covered under your workers’ comp claim. If a specialist provides treatment that is completely unrelated to your injury, your employer may attempt to deny compensation for that treatment.
For example, you might have suffered lacerations to your legs while working at a factory. If you see a chiropractor after this accident, it may be difficult to “connect the dots” and argue that this specialist treatment was related to your injuries. After all, a chiropractor addresses back injuries – and leg lacerations have nothing to do with the spine.
Be Wary of Pushback When Seeking Specialist Treatment
On the other hand, your employer might try to deny compensation even if your specialist treatment is clearly related to your workplace accident. In this situation, it might be worth working with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer. These legal professionals can prove that your specialist treatment is medically necessary – ensuring you have access to the best healthcare providers during your recovery process.
Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Illinois Help Me?
A workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago may be able to help you pursue effective treatment with greater confidence. If you are experiencing pushback as you try to access medical specialists through your claim, speak with Connolly Injury Law. We have considerable experience with the Illinois workers’ compensation system, and we can help you fight for your rights as an injured worker. Schedule a consultation today to get started.
Source:
illinois.gov/agencies/agency.iwcc.html
