If you sustain a work-related injury or illness, you likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits that include a settlement for lost wages.
However, injured employees often worry most about paying their medical expenses, which, in some cases, can become overwhelming. Which medical bills will workers’ compensation cover?
Starting the process
If you have an injury or illness caused by the kind of work you do, you have a right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. The first step is to notify your employer about the incident. Your company’s workers’ compensation carrier will provide a list of doctors from which to choose. Your employer should be able to supply you with the claim form to file.
Receiving payment for medical expenses
If the workers’ compensation provider approves your claim, you should receive payments for your medical expenses, such as:
- Ambulance and emergency room costs
- Hospital and doctor visits
- Physical therapy sessions
- Rehabilitation supplies, such as crutches or a wheelchair
- Prescriptions
- Travel to and from medical appointments
The coverage available to you for medical expenses can last for up to 400 weeks, or longer if you are deemed to have a catastrophic injury.
Seeking help
You have a 30-day window in which to notify your employer of your work-related injury (in writing or otherwise). If you are hesitant to advise your employer or are unsure of the process for filing a claim, an advocate can provide answers to your questions and help you move forward. Under the workers’ compensation program in Georgia, you have a right to expect coverage for most, if not all, of your medical expenses.
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