| This article is made available for educational purposes | | | | and safety information. |
| only, to give you general information and a general | | | | Once you have identified your employer's panel of |
| understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal | | | | physicians, take clear a picture of it (many people even |
| advice. This should not be used as a substitute for | | | | have cell phone cameras that can do this). If you have |
| competent legal advice from a licensed professional | | | | the chance, take it down and make a photocopy of it. |
| attorney in your state. | | | | If no panel of physicians exits, take a photo of the |
| Medical Treatment under Georgia Workers' | | | | area in which legal notices are hung where no panel is |
| Compensation | | | | posted. |
| The Good News: | | | | If I don't like my doctor, can I get a new one? |
| Unlike most situations with cash benefits, your medical | | | | An employee is entitled to make one change in |
| benefits are basically never-ending. In other words, | | | | treating physicians from one physician to another on |
| once you have an "accepted" claim, one in which your | | | | the same panel of physicians without any special |
| employer or their insurer has paid you income benefits | | | | authorization. Aside from picking a new doctor from |
| or has paid for your medical treatment, your employer | | | | your employer's panel you will likely need to have the |
| owes you treatment related to that injury for as long | | | | employer agree to a change. If your employer refuses |
| as it takes to cure you, provide relief, or restore you to | | | | to allow a change outside the panel of physicians you |
| suitable employment. This obligation could go on for | | | | may make a request to the State Board of |
| your entire life depending on the injury. | | | | Compensation and petition them to allow a change in |
| The Bad News: | | | | physicians. This request is make using State Board of |
| Your medical information in workers' compensation is | | | | Workers' Compensation form WC-200b . |
| not confidential. Your employer and their insurance | | | | Additionally, if you are receiving any income benefits |
| company will likely receive a copy of your medical | | | | from your employer, you have the right to one |
| information relating to your work injury. Also, the | | | | independent examination (known as an IME) by a |
| employer/insurer may not be required to pay for | | | | physician of your choosing at your employer's |
| medical treatment from unauthorized doctors. | | | | expense. While this doctor will not become your |
| What doctors/hospitals/clinics can I receive treatment | | | | regular physician, if their opinion differs from your |
| from? | | | | regular doctor it may provide a new direction for your |
| Maybe the tightest held secret in workers' | | | | treatment or support a claim for a change of |
| compensation is that your employer is required to and | | | | physicians. |
| likely has posted somewhere in the deep recesses of | | | | Unfortunately, your employer is not limited to one |
| your workplace a document called a "Panel of | | | | request for an IME and may require you to go to as |
| Physicians." This document must contain a list of six | | | | many independent medical evaluations (IMEs) as they |
| doctors or facilities with whom you have the right to | | | | wish to pay for. Failing to attend IME appointments |
| seek treatment at your employer's expense. At least | | | | may result is the suspension of your benefits until such |
| one doctor will need to be a licensed orthopedic | | | | time as you attend the appointment. |
| surgeon. Orthopedics specialize in chronic and | | | | Reimbursement of mileage expenses |
| traumatic injuries to the body. However, your employer | | | | Your employer is likely in no hurry to tell you, but they |
| will likely encourage you to go to an industrial clinic for | | | | are required to compensate you for your medically |
| treatment of your injuries. Know that even after visiting | | | | related travel costs. With gas prices as high as they |
| this clinic you still have the right to choose to see an | | | | are, your travel expenses may be more considerable |
| orthopedic surgeon who specializes in injuries like | | | | than you think. Your employer must compensate you |
| yours. | | | | at the rate 40 cents per mile traveled from your home |
| If your employer fails to post this "Panel" or does not | | | | to: your doctor's office, physical therapy, the pharmacy, |
| allow you to select a doctor from this list they forfeit | | | | and any other place of examination or treatment. |
| any control over who you receive medical treatment | | | | If you are required to travel away from your home |
| from. In other words, if you have a compensable work | | | | city, the employer may also be responsible for the |
| injury, your employer will be stuck paying for any | | | | cost of meals and lodging. |
| doctor you choose to treat your injuries. For that | | | | I encourage you to keep an accurate log of all your |
| reason your employer has probably unceremoniously | | | | mileage and submit it to your employer/insurer each |
| placed this very important document on a wall in a | | | | month. If you never submit a mileage log for |
| break room next to seldom read minimum wage | | | | reimbursement you will never receive compensation |
| information, state/federal permits or business licenses, | | | | for all the gas you burn up as a result of your injuries. |