Workers’ compensation is a complex system that protects both workers and employers from the financial fallout of work-related injuries. Professionals who deal with workers’ compensation claims every day understand that the process of filing a claim and pursuing fair compensation after a workplace injury can be a lengthy process. That means that many opportunities for an injured worker to miss important benefits may be missed.
California lawmakers are now proposing a single-payer healthcare system that proponents hope may ultimately replace workers’ compensation altogether. However, even the architects of the proposed law are cautious about raising California workers’ hopes too high before the significant number of issues at hand in integrating workers’ compensation with group health are dealt with thoroughly.
Among these significant hurdles are the completely distinct ways in which workers’ compensation and group health plans approach a host of matters, including:
- Workers’ compensation’s lack of shared risk among recipients of care
- Group health care limits, deductibles and co-pays
- Permanent disability considerations
- Coordinating ongoing care
However these issues get resolved, if ever, simply considering them prudently demonstrates how complex the workers’ compensation system is already, and the host of responsibilities that employers have to those injured on the job.
If you suffer an injury at work, it is important to understand how to make the most of your claim and secure all the compensation and care you deserve. Professional guidance from an experienced workers’ compensation attorney may offer you the assistance you need to handle these issues and protect your rights and priorities while you recover from your workplace injury.
Source: WorkersCompensation.com, “Can California Single-Payer Proposal Replace Comp?,” March 08, 2018
