Employees hurt on the job are often eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The California workers’ compensation program provides two main types of benefits for injured workers.
If employees require time away to heal or undergo treatment, they may be eligible for disability benefits. These benefits replace a portion of the employee’s lost wages. Workers may also be eligible for medical benefits.
Workers’ compensation can pay for the cost of necessary care. Employees with injuries or work-acquired medical conditions can rely on workers’ compensation to pay for their treatment. What kinds of medical care are eligible for workers’ compensation coverage?
Medical benefits can cover all necessary treatment
Workers’ compensation medical coverage is actually relatively generous. Employees do not have to worry about copays or deductibles. They have no out-of-pocket expenses for their treatment. So long as the doctor overseeing their claim agrees that the care is medically necessary, workers’ compensation can fully cover treatment expenses.
Workers’ compensation can cover the cost of care, including:
- Office appointments
- Prescription medication
- Diagnostic testing
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Hands-on therapeutic treatments
As long as the treatment is medically necessary, the employee can rely on workers’ compensation for support.
Benefits for treatment may end when a worker stops responding to treatment. Those who have achieved maximum medical improvement (MMI) may only be eligible for symptom management benefits after treatment stops improving their condition. Employees who question their treatment plan or a doctor’s determination about their condition may have the right to appeal.
Seeking legal guidance while navigating a complex workers’ compensation claim can help professionals optimize their benefits. Medical coverage can reduce the financial pressure on an injured worker.
