If you’re employed or just entering the workforce, it’s important to know your benefits when you get injured on the job. After all, when you need to take time off work to recover from a work injury, you lose the money you could have otherwise been earning for your family.
Therefore, it’s important to have a workers’ compensation doctor in mind and not leave it to the last minute to frantically find one. Here are some tips to help you find the right provider.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that aims to defray medical expenses and lost wages. Employers pay for workers’ compensation insurance to protect themselves and employees in the case of injury in the workplace.
After receiving treatment for a work-related injury or condition, a workers’ compensation doctor will assist you in filing a claim. If they confirm that the injury occurred as a result of your job, they will complete the necessary paperwork to help you claim workers’ compensation benefits.
Finding the Right Workers’ Compensation Doctor
Ask Your Employer
The rules around workers’ compensation vary from state to state. In Missouri, an employer with five or more employees should maintain workers’ compensation for their workforce. In construction, where the risk of an occupational injury tends to be higher, employers should have workers’ compensation coverage even if they have just one employee.
If you’re looking for a workers’ compensation doctor, it’s best to start by asking your employer. Usually, they have a list of preferred providers that you can choose from. From there, you can make an initial list and narrow down your choices based on proximity, the doctor’s area of expertise, and other factors.
Check the Facility’s Equipment
If your employer provides a list of medical providers, you can look them up online or visit their clinic. That way, you gain a better idea of their employment-related services for injury management and treatment. A clinic should come equipped with a variety of services for injured workers, such as:
- On-site X-rays and ultrasound
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Pain management
- Interventional pain procedures
- Durable medical equipment
- Other diagnostic tests, like electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction study (NCS), and neuromuscular ultrasound
Inquire About Treatment Options
A workers’ compensation doctor should have the training and experience to treat all sorts of work-related injuries. Common work-related injuries include:
- Lacerations
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Burns
- Fractures
- Heatstroke
- Hearing and vision loss
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Insect bites
- Exposure to harmful agents
Your selected provider should be able to handle most kinds of cases without the need to refer you to a specialist. You may also want to ask what sort of treatment plans they usually recommend. If you sustain a severe injury that renders you unable to work for some time, you can ask what options they might consider to speed up the recovery process.
Check Their Workers’ Comp Experience
You should also discuss the provider’s experience filing workers’ compensation claims.
The process can be complicated, and it helps to go with a provider who is familiar with workers’ compensation claims. They should be able to walk you through the process step by step in a way that balances the interests of all parties.
Since time is of the essence when filing a claim, a provider who knows how to complete the necessary documentation and authorization can save you time and effort over the long run.
OWCP Doctors in Blue Springs, MO
An Office of Workers’ Compensations Programs (OWCP) doctor is among the first to see you after a work injury. After providing timely care, they can help you file a claim and secure the benefits you’re entitled to.
If you’re searching for OWCP doctors, look no further than Core Medical Center. Our workers’ compensation team is trained to administer treatment for all types of work injuries. We have a comprehensive package of medical services to diagnose and treat work-related injuries and conditions.
After performing an evaluation, we will file the necessary paperwork to back your claim, so you can get your benefits and compensation. Our claim management and billing teams work closely with both the employer and employee to make the process as transparent and streamlined as possible.
To learn more about our workers’ compensation services, call us at (816) 427-0201 or fill out our online appointment request form. Let us help you get safely back to work!
