After a workplace injury, one of the first questions many employees ask is: Can I see my own doctor for workers’ compensation in Missouri?
The answer is important because the doctor treating your injury can play a major role in your recovery, work restrictions, medical benefits, and workers’ compensation claim. However, Missouri’s rules about choosing a doctor may be different from what many injured workers expect.
In most cases, the employer or its workers’ compensation insurance company has the right to choose the authorized treating physician. While an injured employee may choose to see their own doctor, doing so without authorization could mean being responsible for the cost of treatment.
Understanding how the Missouri workers’ compensation doctor selection process works can help you avoid unexpected expenses and make informed decisions after a workplace accident.
Who Chooses the Doctor for Workers’ Compensation in Missouri?
Under Missouri workers’ compensation rules, the employer generally has the right to select the healthcare provider who treats an employee for a work-related injury. Employers often allow their workers’ compensation insurance company to manage this process.
This means that after you report a workplace injury, your employer or its insurer may direct you to:
- A specific doctor
- An urgent care facility
- A hospital
- A specialist
- A physical therapist
- Another authorized healthcare provider
When medical treatment is properly authorized, workers’ compensation may cover medical care reasonably necessary to treat the work-related injury.
For many injured workers, however, this raises an important question: What happens if I do not agree with the doctor chosen by the insurance company?
Can You See Your Own Doctor for a Work Injury?
Technically, you can choose to see your own physician. However, the important issue is whether the employer or workers’ compensation insurance company has authorized that treatment.
If you seek treatment from your personal doctor without authorization, you could be responsible for paying the medical expenses yourself.
Before scheduling an appointment with your own physician for a workplace injury, consider asking whether the treatment will be covered by workers’ compensation.
In some situations, an employer or insurance company may agree to authorize treatment with a specific doctor. However, injured workers should not assume that treatment will automatically be covered.
This is why understanding your workers’ comp doctor choice is so important early in the claims process.
Why Does the Choice of Doctor Matter?
The treating physician can have a significant impact on your Missouri workers’ compensation claim.
Your doctor may make decisions regarding:
- The diagnosis of your injury
- Recommended medical treatment
- Whether surgery is necessary
- Referrals to specialists
- Physical therapy
- Work restrictions
- Your ability to return to work
- Whether you have reached maximum medical improvement
Medical evidence plays an important role in workers’ compensation cases. Because of this, injured employees may become concerned when they disagree with an authorized doctor’s diagnosis or treatment recommendations.
For example, you may believe your injury is more serious than initially diagnosed or feel that you are being asked to return to work before you have fully recovered.
What If You Are Unhappy With Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor?
Being unhappy with your medical treatment does not necessarily mean you can immediately switch to another physician.
However, if you have concerns about your treatment, it is important to communicate those concerns and understand your available options.
You may have concerns because:
- Your pain is getting worse
- You believe you need a specialist
- Additional testing has been denied
- You disagree with the treatment plan
- You are being released to return to work too soon
- Your doctor has not addressed ongoing symptoms
These situations can become particularly stressful when your medical condition affects your ability to earn a living.
If you are asking, “Can I change my workers’ compensation doctor?”, the answer may depend on the circumstances of your claim and whether additional treatment is authorized.
Can You Get a Second Opinion for a Work Injury?
Many injured workers want to know whether they can obtain a second opinion after a workplace accident.
You may request a second medical opinion, particularly if you disagree with an important diagnosis or treatment recommendation. However, whether the evaluation will be covered by workers’ compensation can depend on whether it has been authorized.
A second opinion may be particularly important when:
- Surgery has been recommended
- You have suffered a serious spinal injury
- You have been diagnosed with a permanent disability
- Your doctor says you have reached maximum medical improvement
- You disagree with your work restrictions
- Your benefits could be affected by a medical evaluation
Before paying for independent medical care, it may be helpful to understand how that decision could affect your workers’ compensation claim.
What Happens If Workers’ Compensation Stops Paying for Treatment?
Sometimes, an injured employee may be receiving medical care and suddenly learn that additional treatment is no longer being approved.
There may be several reasons why medical treatment is delayed, denied, or discontinued. For example, the insurance company may argue that:
- The injury was not work-related
- The workers’ compensation claim should be denied
- Additional treatment is not medically necessary
- You have reached maximum medical improvement
- Your current condition is related to a pre-existing injury
If treatment is refused or discontinued, it is important to understand why the decision was made and what options may be available.
Medical treatment disputes can significantly affect an injured worker’s recovery, especially when ongoing care, therapy, or surgery is necessary.
What Medical Treatment Can Workers’ Compensation Cover?
Workers’ compensation benefits may provide coverage for medical treatment reasonably necessary to address a workplace injury.
Depending on the circumstances, treatment may include:
- Doctor visits
- Emergency medical care
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic treatment
- Prescription medications
- Medical devices
- Rehabilitation services
The medical provider’s evaluation may also affect other aspects of a workers’ compensation claim, including temporary disability benefits and decisions about returning to work.
Because medical care is closely connected to your benefits, disputes over treatment should not be ignored.
What Should You Do After a Workplace Injury?
If you are injured while working, taking the right steps early can help protect both your health and your workers’ compensation claim.
1. Report Your Injury
Notify your employer about the workplace injury as soon as possible. Waiting too long to report an accident can create unnecessary complications.
2. Ask Where You Should Receive Medical Treatment
Your employer or its insurance company may direct you to an authorized healthcare provider.
Before seeing your personal physician for a work-related injury, ask whether that treatment has been approved.
3. Keep Important Records
Maintain copies of documents related to your injury, including:
- Medical records
- Work restrictions
- Appointment information
- Communications with your employer
- Communications with the insurance company
- Medical bills
- Documentation about missed work
Keeping organized records can be helpful if questions arise later about your treatment or benefits.
4. Follow Your Treatment Plan
Attend medical appointments and follow treatment recommendations whenever possible.
Missed appointments or significant gaps in treatment could raise questions about the severity of your injury.
5. Ask Questions When Something Does Not Seem Right
If you believe necessary medical treatment is being denied or your concerns are not being addressed, do not simply assume there is nothing you can do.
Understanding your options early can help you avoid mistakes that may affect your recovery or your workers’ compensation benefits.
When Should You Speak With a Missouri Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
Workers’ compensation claims can become complicated when there are disagreements about medical treatment, work restrictions, disability ratings, or whether an injury is related to your job.
You may want to speak with an attorney if:
- Your workers’ compensation claim is denied
- Medical treatment is delayed or discontinued
- You disagree with your doctor’s evaluation
- You believe you need additional testing or treatment
- You are being pressured to return to work before you are ready
- You have suffered a serious or permanent injury
- You are concerned about your workers’ compensation benefits
- You are considering a workers’ compensation settlement
Every workplace injury is different. The appropriate legal options will depend on the specific facts surrounding your accident and claim.
Contact Price & Randle Injury Attorneys
A workplace injury can leave you dealing with physical pain, missed work, medical appointments, and uncertainty about your future. Understanding who chooses the doctor for workers’ compensation in Missouri is only one part of navigating the claims process.
If you have questions about your Missouri workers’ compensation claim or concerns about your medical treatment, Price & Randle Injury Attorneys can help you understand your legal options.
Do not let confusion about the workers’ compensation process prevent you from getting answers. Knowing your rights and understanding the next steps can make an important difference after a workplace injury.
