Important Information on Your Workers’ Compensation Case
- Please keep all stubs from your benefit checks. If you believe a payment is late, you must have your most recent check stub in front of you before an assistant in our office can help you.
- It is your responsibility to see that proper medical evidence is provided to support your claim. Please see your physicians on a monthly basis and ask them to file reports with the Board and your carrier. Please follow any restrictions your doctor imposes on your physical activities. It is possible that the insurance carrier will conduct surveillance to confirm your disability.
- The insurance carrier may use a certain network provider for diagnostic testing and prescription medication. The insurance carrier should inform you about their provider network. Once authorized, diagnostic tests must be done at the approved facility. Prescriptions must be filled at approved pharmacies.
- If your injury prevents you from working for a period in excess of one year, you may also be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. You may call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 for further information. If you are denied Social Security, contact us immediately.
- You should not communicate with the insurance carrier. Do not give out any information over the phone. Any forms that you fill out for the insurance carrier should be forwarded to our office for review. We will forward them on to the insurance carrier when appropriate.
- You are eligible to receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses, including prescriptions and mileage reimbursement to any medical visits. Keep an accurate record of all mileage. List the dates of the visit, the name of the doctor/physical therapist, etc., and the round-trip mileage. You may submit this directly to the carrier periodically, requesting reimbursement. Please note that reimbursement sometimes takes several months. Mileage is reimbursable at 58 cents per mile as of January 1, 2019. You should keep a copy of anything you send to the carrier.
- The insurance carrier may try to arrange for a rehabilitation company or nurse case manager to work with you. Please do not work with these agents without first consulting this office. Refer them to our office for permission to work with you.
- Should your doctor release you for light or restricted work, you have an obligation to look for that work, even if your employer has nothing available. If your employer does not have work within your restrictions, you should apply for Unemployment Insurance. You may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits in addition to your partial workers’ compensation benefits. If you return to work in any capacity, notify us immediately. If you return to work earning less than your pre-injury wages, you may be entitled to ongoing benefits.