Chronic pain is a condition that debilitates those who suffer from it. It may make it hard for you to be mobile. You may find that work tasks are hard to complete. You may even be unable to get through the day without the use of pain medications. In some cases, workers' compensation covers your treatment and care for chronic pain. In others, it may not. Here's how that decision occurs.
What Is Causing the Chronic Pain?
Workers' compensation insurance provides financial coverage for worker injuries and illnesses. It only applies when an individual suffers from that condition as a result of his or her duties on the job. For example, if you have chronic pain due to a condition you had for many years, this coverage rarely applies. If the injury occurred at work, as a result of your work-related duties, or while working offsite for the company, your workers' compensation insurance coverage may apply.
When It Applies
When workers' compensation insurance applies to the injury or illness, it covers most treatment recommended by your doctor. The doctor must meet the qualifications of the insurance provider for the care. In other words, he or she needs to be a licensed medical provider. Treatment may include anything from pain management to surgical procedures to resolve the problem. Generally speaking, it will cover:
- Chronic pain coming from an injury that occurs at work or on the job.
- Chronic pain from a pre-existing condition only if the work-related tasks you perform make it worse.
Working with your doctor, you may be able to file a claim for your chronic pain through your employer's workers' comp policy. Yet, there are limits here. The insurer may agree to pay a portion of your claims, not all of it. Circumstances differ for each situation. If the condition is long-term, it may work to settle the insurance claim instead of paying on an ongoing basis. In most cases, this insurance works to help you.
What You Should Do
If you suffer an injury at work, report it to your manager immediately. Ask to complete workers' compensation insurance claims. If your state requires the company to maintain this coverage, you have the right to file a claim. Just filing does not mean the coverage applies. The agency works to verify the injury, the coverage, and the treatment options. From there, you can work with your doctor and agent to determine how to best cover your chronic pain. This varies in each situation. In some, the goal of being pain-free is always something the insurer is hoping to obtain.
For more information on workers' compensation insurance coverage, contact us today at 225-292-7680