Choosing a Doctor to treat your work-related injury or illness

If your employer has posted a list of six or more physicians or health care providers in your workplace, then you are required to visit one of them for initial treatment. You should continue treatment with that provider or another on the list for a period of 90 days following the first visit. You may see any provider on the list; your employer may not require or direct you to any specific provider on the list.

If a listed provider prescribes invasive surgery, you are entitled to a second opinion which will be paid for by your employer/insurer. Treatment recommended as a result of the second opinion must be provided by a listed provider for 90 days.

If during the 90-day period you visit a provider(s) not on the list, your employer or your employers insurance carrier may refuse to pay for such treatment. After the 90 days, as well as in situations where your employer has no posted list or an improper list, you may seek treatment with any physician or other health care provider you select. You must notify your employer of the provider you have selected. During treatment, the employer or the employers insurance carrier is entitled to receive monthly reports from your physician or provider.

Injured workers should be advised that your health care providers may need information concerning your claim. Some of this information may be contained in correspondence you receive from your insurance carrier, and you may want to provide copies of letters or forms to your health care provider.

source: PA Department of Labor and Industry

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