The doctor-patient relationship is critical to help you recover from a workplace injury. Disagreeing with your doctor could delay your prospects for treatment and an eventual return to work. For instance, you may agree with your doctor on the diagnosis of your injury but not on the kind of treatment your doctor recommends.
No one should force you to undergo a treatment plan that you do not approve of. The California Department of Industrial Relations website addresses this issue and provides some possible options for you.
Change your doctor
To receive workers’ compensation coverage, you must choose a doctor under your employer’s medical provider network, or MPN. If your doctor will not consider a different course of treatment, you have the option to change your physician to another one on the MPN list. With another doctor, you may receive a different treatment plan or perhaps even a different opinion on your condition.
Seek a second opinion
It may not be necessary to change your doctor completely. According to the California DIR, you may go to another doctor on the MPN list and ask for a second opinion regarding your condition. You may even seek a third opinion if you wish.
Seek resolution through IMR
If you still find yourself in conflict with your doctor over your treatment, you may have to resolve your dispute through other means. California law permits you to use the independent medical review system to request a different kind of treatment. You may request an IMR once the utilization review process has processed your treatment request.
These options provide avenues to pursue the kind of treatment you want. If you have not received a workplace injury yet, you may help yourself retain greater control over your treatment by predesignating your personal doctor to treat you in the event you get hurt on the job.
