5 Steps Employers Can Take When Employees Pick the Doctor

If you’re an employer  in a state where employees choose treating physicians after a work-related injury you have more control than you think. Even though most states allow the employee initial choice, there are still things employers can do to forestall future claims and make sure only truly injured employees receive workers' compensation benefits.

          

1.     Make sure all new employees are thoroughly trained in not only how to perform their jobs, but also how to perform them in the safest possible way.   Safety is the flip side of workers’ comp management, and if you can avoid a slip and fall in the first place, you will thank yourself at premium statement time.

2.     Try to screen employees for pre-existing conditions or for substance abuse.  Background checks, physical exams and drug testing are routine parts of the hiring process nowadays and there are firms who specialize in screening. 

3.     Incorporate your workers’ compensation management program into everyday business practices. New employees should wear post injury response cards on their lanyards along with their employee badges. Post injury response and return to work should be part of the business culture right along with safety. Have a post injury communications strategy in place beginning with the workability form being completed and faxed to you by treating physicians at each employee visit, weekly telephone chats, until the employee is released to perform modified duty. 

4.     Research state employee job classifications to ensure your employees are correctly classified. These codes are directly related to workers’ comp coverage.   If you misclassify you may not be getting the coverage you need or you may be paying the wrong premium.  

Resort to hiring a private investigator if you think you are being defrauded. In some states this may not be permissible, so check with your legal counsel before starting investigation. Employees out on workers’ comp have been known to be less than straightforward. Don’t be afraid to hire a private eye to shadow said employee for a few days. Hopefully you are wrong. But if you are right, you have the tools you need to bring this claim to a close. (workersxzcompxzkit)

Familiarize yourself  at once with workers’ comp management strategies so you are prepared to manage claims with maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Be proactive in your hiring and screening practices, safety and post injury response training. Make workers’ comp management as integral a part of your employees’ lifestyle as safety.  

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