A doctor treating an injured worker is in a position of authority. After an on-the-job injury, workers may require extensive care before they can safely return to their careers. Those who apply for workers’ compensation benefits in Ohio may be able to receive benefits that cover their treatment costs and provide them with disability pay until they can return to work.
The doctor overseeing their treatment plays an important role in their recovery. For example, the physician treating an injured worker suggests a specific treatment plan. They determine what professional limitations the employee has, such as restrictions on heavy lifting or repetitive job functions. They also determine when the worker has fully recovered or has stopped responding to treatment.
Typically, injured employees defer to the doctor managing their care. However, in some cases, they may disagree with the physician’s decision. Can a worker obtain a second opinion if they don’t agree with a doctor’s diagnosis, treatment plan or other determinations?
Second opinions can be valuable
In theory, most injured workers in Ohio have the right to seek out a second opinion. Provided that the other physician they visit also cooperates with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, workers’ compensation may pay for a second opinion.
Particularly in cases where a doctor recommends a costly and invasive treatment plan, possibly one that requires surgery, it may be possible to see another doctor to develop a less invasive plan of action. Workers may need to reach out to numerous physicians before they find one who has no affiliation with the doctor currently treating them and who also accepts workers’ compensation benefits through the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
That being said, the opinion of a second physician can make it easier for a worker to negotiate the kind of care that they receive. They may be able to appeal an unfair determination ending their benefits or request a transfer of care to a doctor whose treatment plan better aligns with their expectations and needs.
Having support throughout a workers’ compensation claim can make a major difference for an employee struggling with the consequences of a work-related medical challenge. Workers who have the right information and assistance are less likely to end up denied treatment and benefits that could help them get back to work.