The goal of workers’ compensation is to provide the injured employee with financial compensation and the means to return to gainful employment in an expedited manner. This means that not only does workers’ compensation offset some of your lost wages, they will also pay for your medical expenses and the cost of treatment associated with your injury. But if you suffer an injury, are you free to choose whatever treatment you want, or will workers’ compensation only cover standard treatments like physical therapy or surgery? In today’s blog, we explain if workers’ compensation in Minnesota will pay for alternative treatments after an on-the-job injury.
Alternative Medicine And Workers’ Compensation
You have final say when it comes to what type of treatment you’ll receive after an injury, but that doesn’t mean that workers’ compensation will automatically pick up the tab for any treatments you pursue. We’ve talked to many clients who wanted to learn if some alternative forms of medical treatment were covered by workers’ compensation, like:
- Acupuncture
- Massage Therapy
- Homeopathic Treatments
- Chiropractic Care
- Hypnosis
- Guided Yoga
- Tai Chi
We tell these patients that it’s certainly possible that these techniques could be covered by workers’ compensation, but don’t assume that they will be. In order to get a better understanding of whether or not these treatments will be covered, we need to defer to your doctor.
During your independent medical exam, your doctor will assess the extent of your injuries, but they will also determine an effective treatment course. There may be more than one type of treatment that is recommended or prescribed, and you’ll have a conversation with your provider to ensure that you are both on the same page when it comes to your treatment. Any treatments they recommend will likely be covered by workers’ compensation assuming you have a valid injury claim.
That’s because under workers’ compensation law, the system pays for all medical treatments that have been deemed “reasonable and necessary.” If your doctor believes that a treatment is medically valid, then it will likely meet the criteria of reasonable and necessary. Your doctor will likely recommend more standard treatments like surgery, physical therapy, medications, occupational therapy or assistive devices, but it’s certainly possible that more alternative forms of treatment will be recommended or deemed medically relevant by the doctor. You can double check with your lawyer, but if your doctor believes a treatment is necessary and helpful, then the cost will likely be covered by your workers’ compensation claim.
We also want to note that your treatments may not be covered in perpetuity. For example, your doctor may recommend six weeks of bi-weekly massage therapy, or a month of occupational therapy. After that period, your sessions may no longer be considered medically necessary, and you’ll want to talk with your doctor again to ensure you’re pursuing treatments that are necessary and covered by your claim.
Finally, know that it’s unlikely that alternative treatments will be the only treatments recommended by your doctor. For example, they may recommend a combination of physical therapy and a couple acupuncture sessions. If you only pursue acupuncture and fail to follow through on the medically advised physical therapy sessions, your claim could run into problems as the insurance company may argue that you aren’t following recommended medical guidance. You have some choice when it comes to your care, but if you go against professional recommendations because you want to pursue other treatments, it could complicate your claim.
Make things run smoothly by following approved treatment plans and letting an attorney advocate on your behalf. For help in the greater Twin Cities area, reach out to the experienced injury lawyers at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
