JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

While not required, the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act provides the option for employers to have a list of selected health care providers for employees to receive care from, should they be injured on the job.  If provided, this list will serve as a guide for selecting a physician to treat injuries sustained while working.

There are specific rules in place that govern how this list is managed and the choice of health care provider is purely at the discretion of the injured employee.  Upon selecting a listed physician, the employee must be treated by the health care provider for at least 90 days starting from the first visit.

The rules regarding how employers manage and distribute the list are meant to protect the employee as well as the employer. These rules include:

• The list of available providers for injured employees must be provided to the injured employee in writing.
• The list must be signed by the employee upon hire, when changes are made to the list, and again upon being injured.
• The list must include at least six health care providers, with three being physicians.
• Each health care provider’s name, address, contact information, and area of specialty must be detailed on the list.
• Should the injury require a specialized physician that is not included on the list, the injured employee may choose a provider of their own to treat his injuries.
• The employer may not suggest or guide the employee to contact any specific provider on the list.
• Employees are free to select a different health care provider on the list if they are displeased with another from the same list.
• Providers must be local or within a reasonable commute.
• Providers must be able to treat specialized injuries that commonly occur in the employer’s field.

It is important to note that should your employer fail to adhere to the rules listed above, you may seek your own health care provider under the rules of the Workers’ Compensation Act.  The dedicated Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys at Mednick, Mezyk, and Kredo understand the nuances of the law and will fight for what you deserve.  To learn more, call us today at 888-807-WORK (9675) for a free case evaluation.