...workers comp claim? Just over a month ago I sustained a work-related injury and went to the doctor for workmans comp. Assuming it was merely a muscle problem, they prescribed some muscle relaxants and pain reliever, but when the medicine ran out, I was still having issues. The pain I was still experiencing hadn't really been helped much by the meds. I suspected that perhaps there was something not muscular wrong, and so I scheduled a follow up appointment. The doctor did not take me seriously at all. She did not even examine me or take x-rays, but just wrote prescriptions for the same medications again. I expressed my concern that I thought maybe there was something more wrong, but she told me it wasn't that serious and that I shouldn't need to come back anymore. I was frustrated at this answer, and told my company I felt that I didn't really receive treatment for the actual problem. They told me that since the doctor said I shouldn't need a follow up that I was free to go seek treatment elsewhere but that they would only cover the first $500 of expenses - the rest would have to come out of my own pocket. And $500 doesn't go far in the medical world and this job doesn't pay enough to leave much money in my pockets once other expenses are paid for. So far everyone I've talked to seems to think that it hasn't been handled the way it ought to be, but nobody is quite sure what the right way would be.
From what I've found online about Kansas worker comp laws, full medical benefits are to be provided with no time or monetary limits. I also found the $500 unauthorized provider thing online too. I'm just confused about what my rights are as an injured employee and would very much appreciate it if someone could help clear that up for me or provide advice as to what I should do?
Thanks - Your input is much appreciated!
From what I've found online about Kansas worker comp laws, full medical benefits are to be provided with no time or monetary limits. I also found the $500 unauthorized provider thing online too. I'm just confused about what my rights are as an injured employee and would very much appreciate it if someone could help clear that up for me or provide advice as to what I should do?
Thanks - Your input is much appreciated!