Michigan attorney explains how to get medical treatment when workers’ comp has denied your MRI.
Magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs, tissues, and skeletal system. It is a great way to find out if there is a more serious problem after a workplace accident. Here is what you need to know when workers’ comp has denied your MRI.
Medical Care Is Important
We believe the most important benefit under workers’ comp is access to medical care. Employers or their insurance companies must pay for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment when an employee gets hurt on-the-job. It does not matter who was at fault provided the accident occurred at work. Employees also have the legal right to select their own doctors after 28 days from the start of medical care.
Unfortunately, some insurance companies ignore Michigan law and only authorize treatment with their doctors. This is done to control medical costs and to manipulate work restrictions. Employer clinics do not usually perform expensive testing or make referrals to specialists until after an unreasonable amount of time has passed.
We frequently see clients with significant injuries who have been refused basic medical care. They are diagnosed with sprains and forced back to work immediately. When they finally do see a doctor of their choosing, the workers’ comp insurance carrier refuses to pay. The independent medical examination for workers’ compensation is then used to dispute additional medical benefits.
Options To Explore If Workers’ Comp Denied MRI
Health Insurance
Most health insurance companies will pay disputed medical bills including a workers’ comp denied MRI scan. This allows an employee to get medical treatment while their workers’ comp claim is pending. Reimbursement from any settlement or award is usually necessary.
Being proactive and using health insurance ensures medical treatment continues. An experienced lawyer can negotiate with the health insurance company to reduce any payback. Copays and deductibles can also be recouped in a workers’ comp case.
Government Programs
If workers’ comp has denied your MRI or other treatment, individuals should then explore government programs such as Medicaid or Medicare. These are state and federal programs that cover medical expenses. Reimbursement will be necessary if money is later obtained from the workers’ comp insurance carrier.
Disabled employees should also explore their local community for free health clinics and other low-cost options. While they might not get all the medial treatment needed, it is a way to get relief and document the workplace injury with an MRI.
Cash Payments
Our experience shows that some medical providers will see people on a cash only basis and charge significantly less because no insurance is available. This money can be recouped in a lawsuit against the workers’ comp insurance carrier. Some facilities will also run a tab and let a person get medical treatment pending outcome of their workers’ comp case. This is a great way to find out what is truly wrong if workers’ comp has denied your MRI.
Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers never charges a fee to evaluate a potential case. Our law firm has represented injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years. Call (844) 201-9497 for a free consultation today.
Related information:
Independent medical examination for workers’ compensation: what you need to know
