Will this hurt my WC case?

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deeannek

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I relly don't know but I would think if you are hurting real bad you ought to at least go to the ER.
 
Hi,can anything be done about the way WC treats people,I think its unfair to go without some sort of help.I can't get meRAB or any procedures etc,I'm very disgusted and very depressed.I almost feel like paying for insurance and take care of it myself,because this stinks.would it do much good to contact congress or something.any advice be grateful
 
http://www.dir.ca.gov/DWC/dwc_home_page.htm this is a great link. best link for you is to click on faq's for employees.

while it might still leave you confused, and not knowing what to do...there are nurabers you can call to find out.

you really need to learn the laws of your state...because unless someone lives in your state and is on wc there....everyone else can only speculate what you can/cant do....as each state IS different.

there is also another section on this forum under Insurance, I believe it is, and some folks on that board are also on workers comp. but again, keep in mind that each state is different, so what they say may not apply to your own state.

there are extremely few sites out there that help the "injured workers" but they do exist...i wish there were more out there, as we need all the help that we can get. i hope that you are able to get the help that you need asap. keep us posted.
 
Will seeing a doctor that is not in WC network hurt my case? I can't get a hold of my attorney and I'm in a lot of pain and need to be seen by a doctor. Can I go through my insurance without it hurting my case? I don't want them to come out and say I didn't see their doctor and stop my benefits(what there is of them). Thank you
 
Thank you all for your advice and suggestions, I've come to the conclusion if I don't hear from my attorney by Tuesday I'll be seeking a new one. I've been in great pain the past 3 weeks and don't think I should be waiting for him. He was so great when he first took my case, but it seems he doesn't care anymore. I don't know if it's because he's made all the money he can with my case or what. It feels like I have a nerve problem. I can be feeling fine one second and just move an inch and my body just gets this pain I can't describe. It's like something is touching something it shouldn't be. It's very frustrating and depressing the heck out of me. I've been doing some research here and other pages and think I need a discogram to find the cause. This Laminectomy I got last year just didn't work. I feel worse and need answers. Thanks again
 
how long has it been since you have seen a dr? what kind of dr? have you had an MRI done? if so, what did it show? did you get a copy of the report? if you havent had an MRI done...I think I would do that before the discogram...Ive heard that those are very painful.

if its been 3 weeks since you have heard from your attorney...i think id give him the 3rd degree and tell him to get something done or you will find another attorney. if your case hasnt settled...he is not done making money off of you...he just isnt doing anything to earn the money that he will get when its time to settle. id call his office every hour on the hour and bug the crap out of him and tell him that you are going to continue to call until he does something for you. thats what he is getting paid for.

being in pain with no help really does suck....trust me..been there..done that! i, too, got hurt at work...have been waiting 9 months to see a surgeon...with NO medical care in that 9 months!! FINALLY got the appt for next month...after MONTHS of wc procrastinating. so i truly understand your frustration...but the difference between me and you is that my attorney DID try all avenues....but the harder he tried, the harder they fought...but we are FINALLY getting somewhere now! (lets just see if the procrastination saga starts happening again once i see the surgeon and he starts talking surgery..lol)...i know its not the end of my waiting and waiting for something to be done...but at least i will have a dr now!!!


good luck and keep us posted. did you check out the link i sent you??
 
I had private insurance when I was injuried, I couldn't use it for the injury. WC stinks and so does HMO's in my opinion. There are so many laws that no one knows what is going on.
 
Micheal,
Sorry you are feeling so bad :( . It is my understanding that your private insurance will not pay for anything to do with your injury as long as it is under W/C. It's awful that you are in pain and can't get approval to see anyone. Let us know what happens. I hope you feel better.

Deb
 
i dont know about California...but in my state...you cannot use your own private insurance without ending up with major problems...for one...they will not pay for work injuries....for two...even if you were to not give out that info to the er or dr...and your private insurance later learns....then their will be a fight over the bill...wc will not pay it because it wasnt authorized....ins will not pay because its a wc issue...guess who will get stuck with the bill???........YOU! and if its the same way as here...yes, you can jeopardize your claim by seeing a dr outside of their network.

how long has it been since you have seen a dr for your injury?? have you been referred to a dr? are you in between drs? i know in my state...you cant go to the er UNLESS its a life or death situation....pain doesnt kill anyone (so they say, anyway)....so they leave you hanging and hanging, not caring what kind of pain you are in. sorry to hear that you are in so much pain. i feel for you....i really, really do....i just dont know what to tell you.
 
IMO ladybug is right about the MRI before a discogram. Get a MRI with contrast dye. It will show more than a discogram and is isn't painful. Usually the discogram is done just before fusion surgery to show the leakage to a disc, whereas the MRI can show other things other than just a disc problem. I would also try and get a nerve test done also. WC in California doesn't really like to authorize the discogram. I got mine done with a court order. I waited for a fusion surgery for 4 years. I had my surgery in 2005 and am still in pain 24/7. Changing attorney's is easier said than done. You will have to completely start over. I know what it is to get your attorney to call. In fact I have only spoke with the attorney I have one time on the phone. Talk to his assistant or secretary and they usually get back to you with an answer. Unfortunately on WC the insurance company calls the shots, not your attorney or your doctor. My w/c doctor has asked for a second surgery now for 1 and 1/2 years and I am still waiting. You have to do for yourself. I have never had a w/c doctors office even call and ask how I was doing after a procedure. Even my dentist office follows up with a "How are you doing call". I want to wish you well and hope you can get the help you need soon. I know where you are at with the pain and it isn't a good feeling. I even think part of the pain is stress of not know when and from who the relief is going to come from.
 
Michael, I would suggest you call your attorney and leave the message that you are thinking of going to a private doctor for an evaluation, and see if you get a return call. You need to be careful about the WC rules in your state.

I dont know enough about it to be honest, it's been awhile since i dabbled in this arena even a little. But my logic would say if you dont use your insurance at all, and go for an evaluation outside of it ALL, then maybe it would alleviate all the politic redtape and at least get an opinion from a doctor outside the WC and situation. I dunno.. just a thought. This is truly something to discuss with your attorney. You dont want to jeopardize anything unless you are prepared to do so.
 
people need to get together and end some of these laws and make new ones.you right about HMO too another nuisance.
 
Each state is independent regarding the rules and regs. for workers compensation. NJ you have to go to their (your employers choice of doctors);whereas in other states you can choose which doctor you would like to see. I am fortunate. I really like my doctor and find him to be very patient, compassionate and very good- as well as his staff.

To change the laws you must write to our Congressional leaders & Senators in your area or search the States website to see if there are any Bills pending regarding changes to workers comp. Do a google search for as an example I'm in NJ: New Jersey Legislation or go to the States website and there will be links and search the databases for laws, bills, etc.

It is very difficult having to deal with a life altering injury, chronic pain and then to have to deal with people who only know you by a file nuraber. It is very depressing and disconcerting...I'm on my 6th case worker. My doctor and his staff have come to my aid many times in order to push workers comp. to approve the tests and procedures I needed. Also, when all else fails, speak to your attorney (if you have one and let him or her handle it). Not only do you have to fight for what you are entitled to, but I have had to make countless calls to have a couple of bills paid otherwise it would have gone against my credit. It has become a full time job.

But anyhow, Good luck to all.
 
This can be a fine line. If you need a second opinion on your injury then you need to have your attorney get that arranged. If the pain is causing some other problem that can't get resolved with calling your WC doctor then you should see someone that can deal with that problem at the time. I went to the ER with breathing difficulties and was hospitalized. I was also have extreme pain. The doctor in the ER said that by the time WC decided if it was WC related I would be dead. WC said this was not true. If notified by an ER that they had a patient suffering a life threatening situation they would concur for the patient to be treated. It was determined that I had pneumonia and was paid by private insurance. If you are seeing another doctor for just the pain issues from your injury then you need to get authorization from the w/c insurance company. I would contact my attorney and have them contact my assigned case worker with the workman comp insurance to see what can be done. Your assigned doctor can do a referral to Pain management. If no results then have your attorney see what further legal action neeRAB to be done to get you the help you need. Most Neurosurgeons and Orthosurgeons will refer you back to your W/C doctor. They know that the private insurance will not pay them. You have to be your own advocate. Keep at your assigned doctor and attorney to get the relief you need. Good luck and I hope you find the relief you need.:angel:
 
hi nina21,I had that too,one bill for $100 they refuse to pay,I had to get it before the comp judge to get it paid,really sad
 
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