Who Chooses The Doctor For Workers' Compensation Injuries?

The short answer is: It depends on the state. In some states, the direction of care within workers' compensation is controlled by the employer or their insurance carrier, while in other states it is controlled by the injured worker. To complicate matters further, certain states offer a blend, whereby the control is divided between both the employer and the injured worker.

Because each state is different, it can be very confusing for not just patients, but also doctors. The purpose of this post is to provide a state-by-state overview of the direction of care of work comp cases (and the implications for doctors) for each state.

Alabama

Who chooses the Doctor in a Workers' Compensation case in Alabama?

For Workers' Compensation cases in Alabama, the Doctor is usually chosen by the employer or insurance carrier.

Further information about Workers' Compensation in Alabama

For further information about the Work Comp system in Alabama, the following links may be helpful:

- The Alabama Workers' Compensation State Website - The Alabama Workers' Compensation Fee Schedule - Find Workers' Compensation Doctors in Alabama

Alaska

Who chooses the Doctor in a Workers' Compensation case in Alaska?

For Workers' Compensation cases in Alaska, the Doctor is usually chosen by the injured worker.

Further information about Workers' Compensation in Alaska

For further information about the Work Comp system in Alaska, the following links may be helpful:

- The Alaska Workers' Compensation State Website - The Alaska Workers' Compensation Fee Schedule - Find Workers' Compensation Doctors in Alaska

Arizona

Who chooses the Doctor in a Workers' Compensation case in Arizona?

For Workers' Compensation cases in Arizona, the Doctor is usually chosen by the injured worker, except in the case of self-insured employers who can control direction of care.

Further information about Workers' Compensation in Arizona

For further information about the Work Comp system in Arizona, the following links may be helpful:

- The Arizona Workers' Compensation State Website - The Arizona Workers' Compensation Fee Schedule - Find Workers' Compensation Doctors in Arizona

Arkansas

Who chooses the Doctor in a Workers' Compensation case in Arkansas?

For Workers' Compensation cases in Arkansas, the Doctor is usually chosen by the employer or carrier.

Further information about Workers' Compensation in Arkansas

For further information about the Work Comp system in Arkansas, the following links may be helpful:

- The Arkansas Workers' Compensation State Website - The Arkansas Workers' Compensation Fee Schedule - Find Workers' Compensation Doctors in Arkansas

California

Who chooses the Doctor in a Workers' Compensation case in California?

For Workers' Compensation cases in California, the Doctor is usually chosen by the injured worker, BUT they must choose from a Doctor listed on their employer's Medical Provider Network (MPN).

Further information about Workers' Compensation in California

For further information about the Work Comp system in California, the following links may be helpful:

- The California Workers' Compensation State Website - The California Workers' Compensation Fee Schedule - Find Workers' Compensation Doctors in California

Colorado

Who chooses the Doctor in a Workers' Compensation case in Colorado?

For Workers' Compensation cases in Colorado, the Doctor is usually chosen by the employer or carrier.

Further information about Workers' Compensation in Colorado

For further information about the Work Comp system in Colorado, the following links may be helpful:

- The Colorado Workers' Compensation State Website - The Colorado Workers' Compensation Fee Schedule - Find Workers' Compensation Doctors in Colorado

Connecticut

Who chooses the Doctor in a Workers' Compensation case in Connecticut?

For Workers' Compensation cases in Connecticut, the Doctor for the initial treatment is chosen by the employer or carrier, but all subsequent doctors can be chosen by the injured worker.

Further information about Workers' Compensation in Connecticut

For further information about the Work Comp system in Connecticut, the following links may be helpful:

- The Connecticut Workers' Compensation State Website - The Connecticut Workers' Compensation Fee Schedule - Find Workers' Compensation Doctors in Connecticut

Delaware

Who chooses the Doctor in a Workers' Compensation case in Delaware?

For Workers' Compensation cases in Delaware, the Doctor for the initial treatment is chosen by the employer or carrier, but the injured worker may simultaneously see a separate doctor of their own choice.

Further information about Workers' Compensation in Delaware

For further information about the Work Comp system in Delaware, the following links may be helpful:

- The Delaware Workers' Compensation State Website - The Delaware Workers' Compensation Fee Schedule - Find Workers' Compensation Doctors in Delaware

Florida

Who chooses the Doctor in a Workers' Compensation case in Florida?

For Workers' Compensation cases in Florida, the Doctor for is chosen by the employer or carrier.

Further information about Workers' Compensation in Florida