Questions Workers Comp Programs Ask Orthopedic Surgeons
- Posted on: Jan 10 2018
When you’re injured on the job, working with the right orthopedic surgeon can help you get back on your feet. However, to have your medical costs covered by workers’ compensation insurance, your orthopedic surgeon will need to answer a few questions.
Typically, there are six questions a workers’ comp program will want to know. Let’s take a look at what they are and why they’re important to your claim.
1. Did the patient’s injury happen at work or is it work-related?
In order to have workers’ compensation insurance cover your injury expenses, the injury must have happened at work. Your orthopedic surgeon must deduce if the injury could have occurred given the typical work of your job.
2. What percentage of the injury is work-related?
It is possible that your injury is not entirely related to work. While the injury may have begun at work, other lifestyle choices may contribute to that injury. Your doctor must tell your workers’ comp program what percent of your injury is work-related.
3. Does the patient have any restrictions?
Depending on your injury, you may be placed under work restrictions. These restrictions will define what you can and can’t do when going back to work, letting your employer know when you can return.
4. When is the patient’s next appointment?
It’s always important to keep your workers’ comp program in the loop about your appointment schedule.
5. Will the patient make a full recovery?
If the injury will influence your ability to return to work, your workers’ comp program needs to know. They will want to know if you’ll make a full recovery or if you will need to be re-trained into a different position.
6. When will recovery be complete?
In addition to knowing if you’ll make a full recovery, your workers’ comp program will want to know how long your recovery period will be. This will allow them to know how long they will need to be making medical payments, even if it is just an estimate.
If you’ve just been injured at work, getting treatment from the right orthopedic surgeon is important for your recovery. If you’re in the New York City area, contact Maximum Orthopedics today.
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