- Workers' Compensation
If you get hurt on the job, the last thing you should have to worry about is medical bills. As long as your workers’ compensation claim is approved, you shouldn’t have to worry about any of that. Unfortunately, our Clearwater workers comp attorneys understand that things don’t always work out the way they should.
Here, we’ll explain what medical bills should be covered under your workers’ comp claim. We’ll also explain how Florida workers’ compensation laws work when it comes to medical bills.
If Your Workers Compensation Claim Is Approved, What Benefits Will You Receive?
As long as you meet the criteria for workers’ compensation, your medical bills should be covered. Of course, this only applies to injuries sustained in your workplace accident. If you had a bad back prior to your accident, that won’t be covered under your claim.
Now, as stated above, you must meet certain requirements to be covered under workers’ compensation. The basic requirements include the following:
- You must be acting within the scope of your employment at the time of your accident. In other words, you were doing your job when you got hurt.
- You weren’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- You reported your injury within the prescribed thirty (30) days.
- You are treated by an approved workers’ compensation doctor.
If your claim is denied, you need to reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer in Clearwater immediately. The longer you wait to appeal your claim, the harder it will be to get you the benefits you deserve.
Your Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Clearwater Will Make Sure Your Medical Care is Covered
When you first meet with your workers’ compensation lawyer in Clearwater, give them a copy of any medical bills you’ve received. Try to get them a copy of any “explanation of benefits” forms from the insurance company as well.
This way, your Clearwater workers comp attorney can follow up to make sure they’re paid. If, for some reason, they aren’t paid after 45 days, your attorney will reach out to the insurance carrier and find out what the issue is.
Keep in mind that the healthcare providers’ offices will be demanding payment as well.
You’ll Also Be Entitled to Replacement Wages
In addition to having your medical care covered, you’ll also be entitled to weekly benefits. Since you won’t be receiving an income while you’re out on workers comp, you’re entitled to compensation.
The insurance carrier will determine what your average weekly wages are. You will start to receive these benefits once you’ve been out of work for more than seven (7) days. You should see them in your account in about ten to fourteen days.
Some Workers in Clearwater Are Eligible for Vocational Therapy
Depending on the nature and extent of your injuries, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation. You may be eligible to attend classes on computer skills or other technology services.
You may also be entitled to retraining so you can find a new career. Of course, you won’t be eligible for these services unless your Clearwater workers comp attorney can show you deserve them.
Unless you are unable to do the work you did prior to your workplace accident, these services should be available to you.
Exactly What Type of Medical Care Will Be Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Most of the clients who meet with our Clearwater workers comp attorneys have never been on workers’ compensation before. They worry that they’ll need certain medical care that won’t be covered by workers’ compensation.
The good news is that almost all medical care you need for your workplace injuries will be covered by insurance. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Ambulance ride
- Diagnostic tests
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospitalizations
- Surgery
- Durable medical equipment
- Prescription medication
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
If you receive a bill for any of these things, you need to let your workers’ compensation lawyer in Clearwater know. They will reach out to the insurance company and make sure that these bills are covered.
Treatment Must Be Directly Related to Your Workplace Injury
Of course, in order for your medical treatment to be covered, it must be related to your workplace accident. If you injured your knee at work, then any treatment related to your back will be covered.
However, if you had a prior injury in your back, that won’t be covered under workers’ compensation.
It’s also important to understand that, if you seek treatment from anyone other than your workers comp doctor, your bills will not be covered. You will have to submit these bills to your primary healthcare insurance carrier. It is up to them as to whether these bills will be paid.
Only Proven Treatments and Therapies Will Be Covered
One other thing your Clearwater workers comp attorney will explain is that only proven treatments will be covered. For example, if you hurt your back at work, you may require surgery and physical therapy.
If you decide, on your own, to seek acupuncture and chiropractic treatment, there’s no guarantee that this treatment will be covered. The best thing to do is to have your workers’ compensation lawyer in Clearwater talk to the insurance carrier first.
The last thing you want to do is incur hundreds of thousands of dollars for treatment that you thought would be covered.
The Insurance Carrier Has 45 Days to Decide Whether to Pay a Particular Medical Bill
According to Florida Statute 440.20, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company has time to pay your medical bills. Specifically, the insurance carrier has 45 days from the date they receive any bill to remit payment.
During the interim, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for copays and other expenses. If the insurance carrier denies coverage of a particular treatment or procedure, let your Clearwater workers comp attorney know. They’ll have to reach out to the insurance adjuster and find out what the problem is.
Call Our Clearwater Workers Comp Attorneys Today!
If you were injured on the job and your medical bills aren’t being paid, don’t panic. We recommend that you contact our Clearwater workers comp attorneys as soon as possible.
Our firm offers all new clients a free case review. All you have to do is call our office at (954) 324-COMP and speak to one of our associates. We can help you get the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
