a) ER/Urgent Care until able to put in a claim (for those people who are in serious need of medical care before they put in the claim)

b) put in a claim and get a list of doctors who deal with Workers' Compensation.

Most doctors will not deal directly with a WC employee, since it's typically the employer that must make the claim for payment. From the NC WC law:

Section §97-25. Medical treatment and supplies.

Medical compensation shall be provided by the employer.

Upon the written request of the employee to the employer, the employer may agree to authorize and pay for a second opinion examination with a duly qualified physician licensed to practice in North Carolina, or licensed in another state if agreed to by the parties or ordered by the Commission. If, within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the written request, the request is denied or the parties, in good faith, are unable to agree upon a health care provider to perform a second opinion examination, the employee may request that the Industrial Commission order a second opinion examination. The expense thereof shall be borne by the employer upon the same terms and conditions as provided in this section for medical compensation.

Provided, however, if the employee so desires, an injured employee may select a health care provider of the employee's own choosing to attend, prescribe, and assume the care and charge of the employee's case subject to the approval of the Industrial Commission. In addition, in case of a controversy arising between the employer and the employee, the Industrial Commission may order necessary treatment. In order for the Commission to grant an employee's request to change treatment or health care provider, the employee must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the change is reasonably necessary to effect a cure, provide relief, or lessen the period of disability. When deciding whether to grant an employee's request to change treatment or health care provider, the Commission may disregard or give less weight to the opinion of a health care provider from whom the employee sought evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment before the employee first requested authorization in writing from the employer, insurer, or Commission.

The refusal of the employee to accept any medical compensation when ordered by the Industrial Commission shall bar the employee from further compensation until such refusal ceases, and no compensation shall at any time be paid for the period of suspension unless in the opinion of the Industrial Commission the circumstances justified the refusal. Any order issued by the Commission suspending compensation pursuant to G.S. 97‑18.1 shall specify what action the employee should take to end the suspension and reinstate the compensation.

If in an emergency on account of the employer's failure to provide medical compensation, a physician other than provided by the employer is called to treat the injured employee, the reasonable cost of such service shall be paid by the employer if so ordered by the Industrial Commission. (1929, c. 120, s. 25; 1931, c. 274, s. 4; 1933, c. 506; 1955, c. 1026, s. 2; 1973, c. 520, s. 1; 1991, c. 703, s. 3; 1997-308, s. 1; 1999-150, s. 1; 2005; 2011.)

P.S. I know it's really picky, but it's generally called Worker's Compensation these days.

how processing a WORKER'S comp claim is so expensive to warrant turning away work by GPs and non-urgent specialists.

thanks for citing the code's, though.

You have the right of it. It's crazy how they've turned something that was a PROTECTION for workers into a bureaucratic nightmare.

Sorry... I think I failed to actually answer your question in my quest to help you.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Former California Insurance Commissioner, Lt. Governor, and now Congressman John Garamendi advocated for years that abolition of the entire workers' comp system could, almost all by itself, pay for universal health care in California.

More money goes to lawyers than doctors in workers' comp. As a system, it's thoroughly inefficient, wasteful of resources, and unnecessarily expensive.

With universal health care, an injured worker would first and foremost get necessary treatment. Any legal issues would be settled later.

and he still holds that position (he's my rep). I know that on a personal note, my back issues would more than likely be taken care of if we had universal healthcare but as a result of almost 8 years of fighting with workman's comp insurance companies, I am still waiting for the treatment that I need (and that has been ordered by the court). Workman's comp is a horribly expensive, trying and outdated system.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]He's not my rep, but I got to meet him and was marginally involved in his first congressional campaign. He's a good man and I hope he's reelected.

I also hope you get the treatment you need and a decent settlement!

It was not created to protect workers as a lot of people believe.

WC laws were enacted to replace the employees right to sue civilly when injured on the job. Employers didn't want a jury of our peers deciding what would be a fair settlement. They wanted politically connected, pro-business, appointed flunkies making these decisions.

Don

that would see W/C patients (family practice).

Generally -- for acute injuries, simple wound closures, sprains, etc. payment was no big deal -- we submitted the claim just like any other and it was paid.

However, with more complex problems it could be a real headache. If you needed more than one visit, reams of paperwork had to be collected and submitted, plans of care, prior authorizations for almost everything, etc. This took a lot of unpaid staff and physician time, and really made us think twice.

physicians have so much work that it's more advantageous to turn away comp claims than to pay office workers to process the additional paperwork.

primary care physician I know is turning away patients, so they have their choice of who / what plans to deal with.

Medicare is actually very easy to deal with -- they just pay less. Most primary care docs will not accept new Medicare patients these days (although they will continue to see existing patients who age onto Medicare).

I'm trying to find out if docs have too much work nationwide? it seems that if we're short on doctors now, things will only get worse in 2014

WC/MV is a nightmare of a system.

not flaming anyone, but the person who is hurt is trying to save someone else $ - and it did not work out. A pretty firm rule in life is that you can have it good/cheap/quick - pick two.