How Is Physical Therapy Handled During a Workers’ Comp Claim?

When you suffer an injury as a direct result of an on-the-job accident or your daily responsibilities, navigating the workers’ compensation system can be incredibly complex. Unfortunately, these matters may grow even more confusing when you require physical therapy to help you recover. As such, you may be unsure as to whether or not your workers’ comp award will cover these costs. If this reflects your circumstances, the following blog and an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options to help you get the care you need.

Does Workers’ Comp Pay For Physical Therapy Following a Workplace Accident?

If you have suffered an injury while working, understanding your legal rights is critical. As an injured employee, you are eligible to file a claim through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. This is a no-fault system required for almost all Illinois employers that allows any worker who is injured while on the job and performing duties of their employment to file a claim for compensation. This is true even if the injured employee is 100% responsible for the accident.

Workers’ compensation allows you to recover the full cost of the necessary and reasonable medical care you’ve incurred as a direct result of the injury. This means that, if physical therapy is necessary, your workers’ compensation can cover the full cost of this care.

Physical therapy is often necessary following neck and back injuries, broken bones, repetitive stress injuries, or following surgery.

How Do I Get Approval?

In order for physical therapy to be approved through your workers’ compensation insurance, your authorized treating provider must recommend it. By ordering a referral, this deems the physical therapy as medically necessary following a work-related injury.

It’s important to understand that the duration of your coverage under workers’ comp will depend on a number of factors, including the type of injury you’ve suffered, the severity, and how your treatment is progressing. While some workers may require months of physical therapy following an injury, others may only require it for a few weeks.

Generally, when you have fully recovered or it’s determined that you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), meaning your condition is not expected to improve past a certain point, the coverage for physical therapy will end. This is true even if you require the physical therapy to help manage pain or chronic symptoms.

If this is the case, your workers’ compensation attorney can help negotiate with the insurance company to fight for continued care for the sessions you require.

As you can see, the workers’ compensation process can be incredibly overwhelming to navigate, especially while you are still recovering from the accident you suffered. That is why it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney with the Law Firm of Kevin A. Moore. Our dedicated team will do everything in our power to help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve when you’ve suffered injuries. Contact us today to learn more.