Can I Go to My Own Doctor Following a Work Injury?

If you are injured at work, it is only natural that you want to see your own doctor for medical care. Most people are more comfortable going to a doctor they are familiar with and that they trust.

Unfortunately, when you are dealing with Iowa workers’ compensation, the employer has the right to choose the medical provider you will use when you are injured or become ill at work.

By law, the employer must provide prompt and reasonable care without posing a major inconvenience to the employee, however, this does not include a visit to the physician of your choice.

In exchange for seeking treatment from an approved provider, all of your medical expenses related to your injury should be paid for by the employer. If the employee is injured on the job and is treated by a doctor not approved by the employer, the medical bills may not be paid.

Can I Change Doctors Under Workers’ Compensation?

There are circumstances where an injured worker may be able to change providers or even select their own doctor. This may occur when:

• The care is not appropriate, insufficient or lacks quality to treat your injury or illness.
• The doctor is not reasonably suited to treat your injury or illness. It may be that a doctor that specializes in your type of injury or illness may be a better fit than the assigned doctor.
• You have been improperly diagnosed or the treatment is incorrect.
• The provider is located too far a distance from your home or place of employment.

It is not uncommon for a worker to want to switch providers when they are not being cared for properly by a competent provider. You may be able to change providers by filing an alternate medical care application with the workers’ compensation commission which will result in a hearing where you and your attorney can explain why a change is necessary. Sometimes a change in provider can make all the difference in your recovery.
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Contact a Des Moines Iowa Workers’ Compensation LawyerIf you have been injured at work, the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys of John T. Hemminger Law Firm can help you obtain the appropriate care for your work injury or illness. Call our Des Moines workers’ compensation law offices today at 515-283-2116 for a free initial consultation of your workers’ compensation or personal injury concerns.