How are Medical Bills Paid If I Have a Claim?
Hurt on the job? You may be wondering how you will get your bills paid. A workers’ comp claim is a great option. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry explains that workers’ comp is a no-fault system. You can get the full extent of your reasonable and necessary medical expenses covered through a work injury claim. Injured workers should not be left trying to cover their own medical bills. Here, our Gettysburg workers’ compensation attorney explains how your medical bills are paid if you have a claim in Pennsylvania.
You Must Report Your Injury and File a Workers’ Comp Claim
First and foremost, you need to report your accident to your employer. Indeed, to ensure your medical bills are paid, you must take prompt action after a work-related injury. In Pennsylvania, you typically must give notice within 21 days to be eligible to get the maximum workers’ comp benefits. Further, there is an absolute deadline of no later than 120 days. After reporting the incident, your employer must notify their workers’ compensation insurance carrier and file a claim.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Pays for All Reasonable and Necessary Medical Treatment
What medical bills are actually covered by workers’ comp in Pennsylvania? The answer depends, in large part, on the nature and severity of your injuries. Once your workers’ comp claim is approved, the insurance company must cover the cost of all reasonable and necessary medical care related to your work injury. Along with other things, this includes:
- Emergency care;
- Surgery;
- Physical therapy;
- Prescription drugs; and
- Travel to and from appointments.
To be clear, this means that you should not have to use your personal health insurance or pay out of pocket. With that being said, you may be required to treat with a provider approved by your employer for the first 90 days. Given the complexity of workers’ comp claims, you should keep copies of all bills and of the rest of your medical records.
Do Not Ignore Medical Bills or Collection Notices
Your work-related medical bills should be covered. However, errors can happen. If a provider mistakenly bills you directly, do not ignore it. You do not want to run into problems because other people’s mistakes have gone unaddressed. The American health care system is complicated. Unfortunately, medical providers sometimes send bills to injured workers without realizing the treatment is covered under workers’ comp. You should contact your employer, the insurance adjuster, and/or your attorney right away. If the workers’ comp insurer delays payment, you may need legal help to ensure the bills are handled properly.
Contact Our Gettysburg Workers’ Comp Lawyer Today
At DiLoreto, Cosentino & Bolinger P.C., we have the professional experience you can rely on when it matters most. If you have any questions or concerns about getting your medical bills paid after a work accident, please do not hesitate to contact us today. With offices in Gettysburg and Chambersburg, we represent injured workers throughout the wider region in Pennsylvania.