When you have a workplace injury, you need to choose a doctor you can trust to treat you. It can be difficult to pick someone blindly, especially if you do not go to the doctor very often. You should ask for recommendations, build a relationship, and change doctors if things aren’t working out.
- Ask for Recommendations
If you do not have a doctor in mind, ask for recommendations of which doctor to use. If you have a workers’ compensation lawyer, he or she may have suggestions about doctors that other clients have used and liked. Friends and family with similar medical problems may have ideas about which doctors to call too.
Note that if your employer uses a certified managed care plan, you must choose a doctor in the plan network. Your employer should have notified you if this is the case. In that situation, you can still ask for recommendations, and you can read online reviews about the in-network doctors.
- Build a Relationship
Choosing the right doctor is very important for your workers’ compensation case. You need a treating physician who will release you to return to work only when you are ready, honestly list your medical restrictions, and provide helpful reports if needed for your case. You need to be able to trust your doctor, because trust makes you more likely to follow medical advice.
Build a relationship with your doctor by showing up prepared and on time for medical appointments, communicating honestly about your injury, and asking questions. Make sure you get your questions answered and get the treatment you feel you need.
- Change Doctors If It’s a Bad Fit
If you do not trust your doctor or you are not getting the care you need, consider switching doctors. You can switch your main treating physician once in the first 60 days, and after that you need approval from the insurance company or a judge.
Need help getting workers’ compensation for your injury? Joe Osterbauer, Esq. and the Osterbauer Law Firm stand up for injured Minnesota workers’ rights. Joe’s 27 years of workers’ compensation experience and his team’s speedy service combine to get clients the results they need. To schedule a free consultation, visit Osterbauer Law Firm online or call Joe’s office at (612) 334-3434.
