Sometimes, after suffering a work injury, you’ll get a letter stating that you have to go to a designated doctor for examination. A designated doctor is a doctor selected by the Texas Department of Insurance – Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) to conduct a medical examination of you, review your medical records, question you about the injuries you sustained and to provide his or her medical opinion. The doctor could be asked to determine things like:
- Whether you are disabled
- What diagnoses should be included in your workers’ comp claim
- Whether you have achieved maximum medical improvement from your injury or
- What your impairment rating is
Among other questions.
Do I Have to Go to the Designated Doctor, Or Can I Go to My Own?
If you are ordered by the TDI-DWC to get an examination with a designated doctor, then you must attend that examination to progress in your workers’ comp claim. However, it is possible to challenge an order of this nature if there is a dispute over whether the order was proper or not. Grounds for a dispute might include things like the doctor’s qualification for the job, appointments that occur too frequently or appointments based on issues that have already been addressed through medical examination.
Speaking to a workers’ compensation attorney about your requirements to obtain workers’ comp is the best way to clear up any confusion you might have. It’s a complicated process, but important process – don’t be afraid to ask questions.
The post Do I Have to Use a Designated Doctor for Workers’ Comp? appeared first on The Law Offices of Aaron Allison.