Insurance

More Help for those Without Insurance

Dirk May Insurance, Medical

Many Workers’ Compensation Insurance Companies will deny medical treatment for an injured worker, and the only way to challenge this is to go to trial and ask the Arbitrator to order the insurance company to pay for the treatment. This process takes some time to go through and you will have to wait for your surgery or procedure.

Now there is another way to get your treatment, and it is faster than a trial. Some companies exist that will pay for the procedures  and wait for reimbursement from your trial award or settlement. This does not cost you any extra money. The companies have made arrangements with our law firm to start reviewing Workers Compensation cases in Peoria, Bloomington, Decatur and Champaign.

Should you have a case where you are being denied medical treatment please contact me immediately to discuss. Ask for attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Why won’t the Insurance Company pay my Medical Bills?

Dirk May Insurance, Medical

Many injured workers would be glad to go back to work and get on with their lives, but the Workers Compensation insurance company refuses to pay their medical bills.

What is going on? Why does the Workers Compensation insurance company do this? I think many Insurance Companies believe that a certain percentage of people will let their health insurance pay for the bills and go away. This will save the Workers Compensation company money in the long run.

The only way to approach the problem is to file a Workers Compensation claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission and seek payment of your medical expenses. In addition, you are entitled to pay for time off work, and permanent partial disability which is payment for your injuries.

If you are having problems getting your work related injury bills paid please call me.

Settlement Value

Dirk May General, Insurance, Law, Settlements

What increases the value of your Workers Compensation case is to be ready, willing and able to go trial. The insurance company knows that they have to pay their attorney and face the possibility of future medical expenses if you go to trial and win your case. Being ready to go to trial also gives you the option of settling or going to trial if you do not like the settlement offer.

You need to ask your attorney if they are ready and willing to take your case to trial. Suprisingly, not very many Workers Compensation attorneys are willing to take cases to trial. Make sure that when you have your first meeting with your lawyer that you get the commitment from them to take your case to trial if you make that decision.

It is always better to have the option to take your Workers Compensation case to trial. This gives you leverage with the insurance company and allows you to make the best decision regarding future medical needs and the compensation you need for your injury.

 

Future Medical Treatment

Dirk May Insurance, Law, Medical, Workers Compensation Commission

The way to get future medical treatment in your Illinois Workers Compensation case is often misunderstood.

As I have discussed before, usually the only way possible for future medical bills to be paid is to go to trial and win. This leaves open the avenue for you to collect on future medical needs.

There is not a medical card or insurance card issued. Instead you must request that the insurance company pay for the treatment needed. If they refuse, you must file a case with the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission.

For example, if you injured your back and had a surgery and went to trial and won, then 5 years later the doctor says you need a fusion. Assume the insurance company denies your request for the fusion, you then file for the Commission to review your case. Your doctor will have to testify that surgery is needed and it is related to your original work injury. You will also testify to your  condition, and the insurance company doctor will testify. A panel of 3 commissioners will review the testimony, documents and arguments. They will then issue a decision. This process can take anywhere from 1 to 3 years. So you can tell this process is far from perfect, but it is the only one in place to deal with future medical requests.

What is an IME?

Dirk May Insurance, Medical

Many times an insurance company will send an injured worker to an Independent Medical Exam. The insurance company pays a doctor to examine the injured worker and provides a written opinion regarding the diagnosis, treatment needed and whether the work injury caused the condition. If the doctor rules against the worker, then the workers compensation insurance company will use this to deny Workers’ Compensation.

Often the injured worker will have to travel out of town to visit the doctor. The insurance company must pay mileage to the doctor and back. In Illinois, the injured worker must attend the exam or the arbitrator has the authority to dismiss the case or deny compensation.

If you have questions regarding IME exams please feel free to give Illinois workers compensation attorney Dirk May a call at309-827-4371.