Here's What You Need To Know About Medical Benefits

An experienced lawyer can help you collect workers' compensation

We help workers' compensation medical benefits applicants get justice. Don't delay taking action. Call 1-800-898-HAYS. Tell them you mean business.

Your employer and its workers' compensation insurance company must pay workers' compensation medical benefits for treatment for injuries that happen due to accidents and injuries occurring at work, including repetitive stress injuries. Your insurance should cover the following costs:

Authorized doctor bills
Hospital bills
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Prescriptions

Workers' compensation includes certain requirements, such as a panel of physicians, which is a list of doctors selected by and posted by the employer. The doctor you select becomes your authorized treating physician, who must recommend any treatment in order to have the medical benefits paid. Employees are allowed to change their authorized treating physician once.

How long do the benefits last?

Georgia law limits your benefits to 400 weeks after the date of the accident if your accident occurred on or after July 1, 2013. If the accident occurred prior to or on June 30, 2013, you will be entitled to lifetime medical benefits.

If you are concerned that your benefits will run out while you are still recovering, you should speak with an attorney. In cases involving catastrophic injuries, you may be entitled to lifetime medical benefits, regardless of when the injury occurred.

How an attorney can help you get medical benefits

Our experienced attorneys know how to review an employer's panel of doctors to ensure the employer is complying with all state regulations. In some cases, you may be able to see a doctor of your choice. The panel of physicians must be maintained by the employer, posted for employees and comply with Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation requirements.

If all aspects of the law are not observed, you may be able to receive treatment from a doctor of your choice rather than from the panel. This is known as an independent medical exam. Call Gary Martin Hays & Associates right away to assess your claim for medical benefits.