Being involved in a work-related incident can be exceedingly stressful, and it might not be uncommon for many injured workers to be uncertain of how best to handle the situation. While knowing the next steps to take after such an incident can be vital to protecting your future, the path to achieving such goals might not always be clear.
One example of a question you might have after suffering an injury at work could involve whether you can see your own doctor for treatment. The answer to this question may depend on whether you provided your employer with the proper information about your primary physician in a process called predesignation.
What is predesignation?
Predesignation is a process that may offer you the ability to choose who you see for treatment should a workplace accident lead to injuries. To predesignate your primary care physician, you may be required to write a statement to your employer and include the necessary information or request your employer to provide you with the appropriate forms to complete.
It may also be helpful to note that your preferred doctor might need to agree to provide such treatment in advance. As such, having your doctor or a staff member sign your predesignation statement or form could be imperative. There may also be certain requirements regarding what type of physician you can predesignate, and this process must also occur before your injuries occur.
Your eligibility to predesignate your primary care physician may also hinge on whether the physician you choose has treated you for other health concerns prior to the date of your injury. It may also be vital to know how to handle the predesignation process if your employer has an existing agreement with a specific health care organization.
Understanding your options
This may only be a brief overview of the factors that might influence whether you can see your own doctor for treatment of workplace injuries. Being thorough in addressing this topic could prove integral to protecting your interests, as such factors could impact your eligibility for benefits via the workers’ compensation insurance system.
When facing similar concerns, it might be helpful to consider speaking with someone with experience in such matters for guidance in addressing your situation. This may be essential to helping you understand your options and prepare to safeguard your financial future by seeking the full amount of compensation achievable.