Getting hurt at work can be a frustrating experience. Professionals may feel embarrassed when they report an incident to their supervisors. They may worry about losing income because of their injuries. Especially for those in physically-demanding careers, an injury could lead to weeks away from work.
The injured employee may also need to address the cost of treating their injuries. Modern medical care can cost tens of thousands of dollars, especially when injuries are serious. When a professional gets hurt on the job, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Most businesses in Maryland have to carry insurance that covers their workers and indemnifies the organization from injury-related liability. Workers’ compensation coverage can provide disability benefits. Injured workers may also qualify for medical benefits. What types of medical care can workers’ compensation cover?
Employees can receive full medical coverage
Workers’ compensation medical benefits are relatively robust. Unlike standard health insurance, workers’ compensation medical coverage does not impose any patient responsibility costs. Workers do not have to cover a large deductible before workers’ compensation starts paying for their care. They do not have the responsibility to pay any coinsurance or co-pays.
Generally speaking, workers’ compensation can cover the cost of any medically-necessary treatment and expenses related to long-term symptom management. The doctor overseeing the worker’s treatment proposes a plan based on the diagnosis of the worker and other factors. They may recommend treatment that includes medication, physical therapy and even surgery.
Workers’ compensation can pay for all medically-necessary treatment recommended by the physician overseeing the case. However, benefits may change when a worker stops responding to treatment.
In cases where a medical condition is likely to produce lasting functional limitations, doctors may eventually determine that the patient achieved maximum medical improvement (MMI). At that point, the worker may only be eligible for benefits that cover symptom management as opposed to treatment for the condition itself.
In scenarios where workers dispute a designation of MMI or question a doctor’s treatment plan, they may need help asserting themselves and getting the care they truly require. Learning more about workers’ compensation benefits can be helpful for injured professionals. Medical benefits can help reduce the long-term financial impact of a workplace injury.
