If you were recently injured at work in Missouri, you may be wondering if you can pick your own doctors to receive treatment after a workers’ compensation claim.
There are some things you should know about Missouri’s workers’ compensation laws to avoid surprises about your medical care.
Can I see my own doctors?
Technically, you can see your own doctors to receive ongoing treatment after a work injury, but you can expect to pay for that out of pocket. In Missouri, employers have the right to choose which doctors you can see to receive treatment. Often, this choice comes down to which doctors and networks your employer’s insurance network prefers. In some cases, however, your employer or the insurance company may be willing to authorize you to see your own doctor. Additionally, your preliminary doctor visit is often covered, regardless of where you received treatment, due to the urgent nature of injuries. To make the long story short, if you do not want to pay for your ongoing treatment, you should visit the doctors approved by your employer or their insurance company.
Does my employer control my care?
No, your employer does not get to determine the course of care you need. Missouri workers’ compensation laws state that your employer or their insurance company must allow and cover all medical treatments necessary to help you recover from your injury. The physicians appointed by these entities are responsible for determining what kind of care you need to heal and you should receive it under Missouri law.
Understanding Missouri’s worker’s compensation laws and how they relate to your medical care is an important way to make sure you are being treated fairly after an injury.