Can I Choose My Own Doctor in a Workers’ Compensation Case?

Can I Choose My Own Doctor in a Workers’ Compensation Case? Date: Oct 22, 2018

If you are injured on the job, Illinois law allows to pick your own doctor. Often times when injured on the job your employer sends you to a clinic to be treated. While this may be acceptable if you have a minor injury, but if you have a serious orthopedic injury or you need surgery you should pick a doctor you feel will worry more about you than your employer. If you are injured on the job in Illinois, you need a lawyer that will explain to you all of your options. Seeking care helps you get the treatment you need but also helps you establish the type and severity of your injury, so your choice of medical professionals can impact your case.

Can I Choose My Own Doctor in an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Case?

In Illinois, you can see a doctor of your own choosing. This is important since it allows you to see your primary care physician, with whom you may have a relationship and who knows your medical history. Since you can choose your own doctor, you can also choose a medical professional you trust.

With Illinois workers’ compensation the doctor you choose also has the option to refer you to other doctors.

Illinois Workers’ Compensation Choice of Doctor: The Process

In most cases, you can choose your own doctor after an on-the-job injury in Illinois. However, if your employer is part of a Preferred Provider Program (PPP), you may choose a doctor within that group.

If your employer is part of a PPP network, but you do not want to visit doctors from the network, you only have the choice to see one doctor outside the network, which limits your options for a second opinion. If your employer has not joined a PPP, you can choose any two doctors of your own selection. If you see a third doctor who is not a referral and is not providing emergency care, your employer may not have to pay for the visits to the third doctor.

When trying to determine who chooses the doctor in an Illinois workers’ compensation case, keep in mind there are situations where an employer can choose your doctor. Your employer may ask to have you examined by a doctor of their own choosing. If they request this, you must accept the examination, but you do not have to get any medical treatment from the doctor your employer chooses. Also, your employer in these cases must ensure the doctor’s visit is at a reasonable time and place and must pay all expenses related to the visit, including lost wages, the cost of the exam, meals, travel costs and more.

If you are required to visit a doctor of your employer’s choosing, the doctor must provide both your employer and you with a copy of the exam report, and this must be the same report. The report must be submitted 48 hours or more before any arbitration hearing in your case. You also have the right to ask for any medical records relevant to your case that your employer may have before your hearing.

Reach out to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer ASAP

The insurance company is not obligated to tell you that you have a right to choose your own doctor. The insurance company’s first priority is to the employer and not to you. You need a lawyer that will be completely on your side. You need a lawyer that will work to make sure that your received the best medical treatment available, so you can get healthy and back to work. If you have concerns about being asked to submit to medical examinations or have concerns about your Illinois workers’ compensation claim, Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer George Argionis and his team of lawyers are here to help. Our law firm never passes your case to another law firm or asks you to work with a law clerk. You work directly with very experienced workers compensation lawyer. If you have been injured at work, George Argionis for a free consultation.

George Argionis

George Argionis has over 20 years of experience in handling cases involving auto collisions, premises injuries, medical malpractice, product liability, construction-related and work-related injuries. He has dedicated his career to helping restore lives both emotionally and economically.