Lemonade Out of Lemons
In New York, there are some things the employer can do to see that their employees’ doctors are not driven away. These actions can cut medical costs and lost time in half. Workers’ compensation claims cost less and resolve quickly if local medical practices are encouraged to treat comp patients. They might be happy to do so except – their bills are frequently unpaid.
1. Keep a supply of Treating Physician’s report form C-4 on hand. These can be downloaded from NY Workers’ Comp Board site.
2. Following a work injury, ask employee who is treating and call the medical office to make sure bills are being paid.
3. If, as frequently happens, the bills are not being paid, make sure the medical office has C-4 forms. Requests for payment where a C-4 report is not submitted are often ignored.
4. If the reports and bills have been properly submitted, tell the medical office to complete and submit form HP-1 to the WCB. This form can also be found on Board website.
5. Make sure your employee knows you are trying to assist.
Benefits of Being Involved
1. The most frequent reason an employee retains a lawyer on a comp claim is the possibility of unpaid medical bills. If your employee knows you are helping, litigation and costs will be significantly lower.
2. Assisting a local medical group will result in less lost time and other costs on a comp claim.
3. The NY work comp law directs the employer, not the comp carrier, to ensure that appropriate medical treatment is provided. It is entirely appropriate for the employer to call the medical group.
4. A steady stream of communication is the single most powerful deterrent to fraudulent exaggeration later in a claim.
5. Carriers will inevitably provide better handling of claims where the employer is directly involved.
6. All workers of a company, and their families, whether injured or not, greatly appreciate such efforts.
Attorney Theodore Ronca is a practicing lawyer from Aquebogue, NY. He is a frequent writer and speaker, and has represented employers in the areas of workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, employee disability plans and subrogation for over 30 years. Attorney Ronca can be reached at 631-722-2100.
Try the WC Cost Calculator to show the REAL COST of work comp.
Look at WC 101 for the basics about workers comp.
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws are different. Consult with your corporate legal counsel before implementing any cost containment programs.
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