After an on-the-job injury occurs, you can’t see a personal doctor for on-the-job injuries. Instead, you must go to doctors in the medical provider network, or MPN, established by the Department of Labor and Industries. Otherwise, you could end up in big trouble regarding your workers’ compensation claim. Fortunately, our team is here to help you avoid all that with this guide on just why you can’t see your personal doctor for work injuries.
In 2013, the Department of Labor and Industries, or L&I, rolled out their medical provider network to streamline care given to people injured on the job. Like the physician networks set up by HMOs and other personal insurance plans, the MPN has a list of medical providers you can visit for your workers’ compensation claim. These providers follow L&I’s Medical Treatment Guidelines in providing your care and completing their review process.
If you need to visit a doctor after getting injured on the job, it’s essential to go through the L&I website to find an in-network physician. You can still choose your doctor and even switch physicians if need be, but you must verify they’re in-network before making an appointment.
Upon visiting the website, you’ll need to input your location and preferences. Once you do that, the system will return several medical providers for your consideration. You’ll then need to give them a call to see if they’re accepting new patients. If they’re not, then you can return to the list and try again.
Otherwise, you need to set up an appointment at a convenient time for you. Once you establish care with a physician, they’ll work on providing the proper diagnosis and treatment plan so that you can make a full recovery from your injuries.
Workers’ compensation will not cover your visits if you do not see a doctor in the official medical provider network for L&I. Beyond that, you could end up getting your claim denied due to not following through with the care requirements for your on-the-job injury.
MPN physicians must complete timely reviews as instructed by the state, so you can continue receiving your payments. Completing care through the MPN network is also a must if you’d like to work toward a structured settlement for your injuries.
If you’d like help finding a doctor in the right medical provider network or need any other help with your workers’ compensation case, please feel to reach out to our team at Michael Burgis & Associates. We’re always available to help you find an excellent time for your free, no-obligation consultation. At that meeting, we’ll discuss all the options available to you and answer any questions you may have. You can then move forward with your case with confidence that you’re on the right track.
