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Florida Workers' Compensation Medical Benefits
Florida Workers’ Compensation LawyerWorkers’ Compensation Medical Benefits • Authorized Treating Physician Workers’ Compensation Medical BenefitsInjured workers are entitled to medical care, treatment and equipment at the expense of the workers’ compensation insurance carrier to help cure and relieve the effects of the injury. This treatment is given by “authorized treating physicians.” What is often a problem for injured workers is that these “authorized treating physicians” are chosen by the insurance company, not the employee. Many of the physicians have long and profitable relationships with the insurance companies and have had no long-term relationship with the injured worker. Often, as a result, the insurance adjusters handling the case will pressure the physician to release the injured worker from treatment early or to find that the injured worker has no impairment. The law in Florida rewards physicians who get injured worker’s back to work quickly.back to top Authorized Treating PhysicianThe authorized treating physician is determined by the employer at the time the employer is told that the worker was injured. The employer usually sends the claimant to a local walk-in medical center or clinic. If the employer or insurance company does not send the injured worker to a doctor, the injured worker can chose his own doctor until they do send them. Once that choice is made, the worker must continue with the authorized treating physician or any other doctor that they are referred to. In Florida, an injured worker can choose to change doctors ONCE during their treatment.back to topDenied Medical Treatment The insurance company may still deny treatment even if it is recommended by the authorized treating physician. Frequently, especially when surgery is recommended, the insurance company will refuse to authorize treatment and will seek the opinion of an “independent” medical examiner. The “independence” of these doctors is questionable. Many of them do a great deal of business with insurance companies. If the insurance company’s doctor disagrees with the treating physician, the matter may have to be determined by a judge.
Joan Dymond Horenstein, P.A. Serving the people of Broward, Palm Beach & Miami-Dade Counties. Workers’ compensation lawyer in South Florida, including Davie, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Weston, Boca Raton, Plantation, Port St. Lucie, Coral Springs, Wellington, Jupiter, Miramar, West Palm Beach, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Homestead, Naples, Bonita Springs, Ft. Myers, and Sarasota. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. Copyright © 2010 by The Law Office of Joan Dymond Horenstein,P.A. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement. |  |                   |
