When you’ve been injured, it’s always important to have a good relationship with your doctor.
When you’ve been injured at work, however, that relationship becomes even more critical — because that’s the doctor who will support your claim for benefits, determine when you will return to work and what restrictions you must have once you do.
So, who chooses your doctor after a work injury in Ohio?
You have more control over this issue than you may realize
Generally, you can see any doctor you need to see in an emergency. Once the crisis has passed, however, you will need to select a doctor who is certified as a medical provider with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in order for your medical treatment to be covered.
This will not stop many employers from recommending a specific doctor or list of doctors to their injured employees — and they may do so in a way that makes it sound like you have little option but to pick from the list. Don’t be fooled — you don’t want your medical care and your future in the hands of a doctor who may be more concerned about the company that pays them than patient care.
Furthermore, if you do get roped into choosing a company doctor, you have the right to request a change to a different physician of your choosing (although, again, you must pick one that is BWC-certified for the services to be covered).
Don’t let your benefits slip out of your grasp
Workers’ compensation benefits are your right when you’ve been injured on the job — but not every claim goes as expected. Learning more about your legal options can help you overcome the obstacles that are holding you back.