What Medical Expenses Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

It’s important to understand what medical expenses are covered by workers’ compensation so you can be prepared financially.

When it comes to medical expenses, there are a lot of different things that can fall under the workers’ compensation umbrella. However, there are also many things that will not be covered. It’s important to know the difference so that you can be prepared financially if you ever need to make a claim.

Medical Expenses That Are Generally Covered

Here are some of the medical expenses that are typically covered by workers’ compensation:

Doctor’s Visits, including the initial visit to the emergency room and any other appointment to a specialist that the primary doctor may recommend.

Diagnostic Tests: Workers’ compensation will generally cover the cost of any diagnostic tests that are needed to properly diagnose an injury that is work-related. This could include X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans

Hospitalization: Sometimes, your injuries will require an overnight stay or even a longer hospitalization. Workers’ compensation will typically cover the cost of your hospital stay.

Surgery: If you need surgery as a result of your workplace injury, workers’ comp should cover the cost of the procedure.

Physical Therapy: Many workplace injuries require physical therapy to help you recover and regain strength. Workers’ compensation will typically cover the cost of physical therapy.

Prescription Medication: If you need medication to manage pain or help with your recovery, workers’ compensation should cover the cost of the prescription.

Prosthetic Devices: Braces, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and other prosthetic devices may be necessary as a result of your workplace injury. These costs should generally be covered by workers’ compensation.

Mileage to and From Medical Appointments Related to Your Work Injury: You may need to travel some distance to see a specialist or for physical therapy. Workers’ compensation will typically reimburse you for your mileage.

Medical Expenses That May Not Be Covered

However, there are some medical expenses that workers’ compensation will not cover. These include:

Cosmetic Surgery: If you’re injured at work and require surgery to correct the injury, workers’ comp will cover the cost of the procedure. However, if you elect to have cosmetic surgery to improve your appearance, workers’ compensation generally will not pay for it.

Elective Surgery: Even if your workplace injury requires surgery, there may be more than one way to correct the problem. If you elect to have surgery that is not medically necessary, workers’ compensation may not cover the cost.

Psychiatric Care: Workers’ compensation will typically pay for psychiatric care if it’s related to a work-related injury or illness. However, if you seek psychiatric care for other reasons, it will generally not be covered.

Alternative Treatments: Some injured workers seek alternative treatments such as acupuncture or massage therapy. These costs are not generally covered by workers’ compensation.

Now that you know what medical expenses are and are not covered by workers’ compensation, you can be prepared if you need to make a claim. Most importantly, if you have been injured on the job, speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible to ensure your legal right to workers’ compensation benefits is protected.

Missouri Workers Compensation Attorney

If you have any questions about what medical expenses are covered by workers’ compensation, don’t hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney at The Law Office of James. M. Hoffman. We’ll help you understand your rights and options under Missouri law. Contact us today for a free consultation.