Just a quick Question.........
For the last few appointments which are 3 different DR'S covering different injured parts the NCM keeps asking them If they feel it is permanent and if meds will be needed for ever...
With that in mind I want to tell a short update which the ncm has been acting funny. I have recieved every bit of needed care possible and have not been denied nothing as of yet. But we agreed a few weeks ago that one of the facilities were trying to take advantage of wc. And I brought it up to her attention and she said that she was glad I noticed and said now I see things from the other side of WC that many dont see.----OK BLA-BLA-BLA-----. And said thats why we set people up with a DR that does IME,s and see if you are at MMI.
Well I think thats what they are planning to do, at least it seems that way to me. And believe me when I tell you's they have allready paid out in medical bills totaling over 1.7 million----(true and no bull droppings)..........In your oppinion what do you's think.
What we think about what ? People always act in their own self-interest. At some future time you will have reached MMI for each area and you will really know it before any of your Drs do. Are you concerned ?
Part of the NCMs job where I used to work was to help the adjuster with future medical costs so that they could accurately set reserves to cover the future costs of the claim or calculate possible settlement value. That could very likely be the reason she is asking the doctors about permanency and future meds.
Thanks Cycler & Kate.
Am I concerned... Well yes who wouldnt be. Even though I'm back to work full time and am getting better, I dont think Im at mmi yet. My surgeon says he wont put me at mmi for another year and a few months, for reasons of his own I guess.. I just dont want them to stop with treatments when they are truely getting me better. Now I dont know how raitings work but if I was considered to be at mmi WC would have to pay me more. Just because I dont think all my injuries are permanent ( I hope ) as well as I'm sure they dont want them to be permanent... I cant think of any other reason then what Kate has stated and with that being said would they try to settle allready before surgeon would release me since I need another surgery down the road. As far as the scripts I'm on Tramadol helps but not the cure for my hip & back and really is cheap to buy. Doxycyclin I will be on for life they say and thats fairly cheap. Now celebrex and lora patches are another story but thats not saying I will need them later........?
I guess I just want to be a step ahead of them so I know what's going on..... Thanks for the help.......Bronco
Even if MMI'd you can experience further complications, almost certain with spine fusion, and re-enter treatment etc canceling the MMI. Treatments can be negotiated and often times may be ok'd indefinitely at a reduced frequency as supportive care once returned to work but the more common but non-scientific 3x per week for weeks and weeks on end should stop as transfer to independence is the goal of therapy. Medication needs may never change MMI or not.
That was and still is what I'm worried about. Although I think I'm doing quite well but there is that chance somthing could come up. And I have not had any probs at all with oking any treatments and I would wonder on that after mmi.
And I must say I agree with the PT part for I am usually on my own anyways. I only have 2 more weeks and I'm done with PT so the owner is allowing me to come in and use thier equipment free of charge as long as I make 1 appointment every other week untill I burn up my 4 approved visits. And I will be the first to admit from here it all lays on my shoulders, if I stop doing my daily stretches and working out I'm going to get worse.
I have a series of injections comming up on the 4th and I believe after that and the results is when they will decide my fate........
Thanks again,-------- and sorry if I dont use the right terms...
.............Bronco..............
I am just throwing my 2 cents in to let you know what happened in my case as I neared MMI. I was put on light duty and permanent impairment of my right hand. I was then set up for a IME with my OCC doc and he put me at 32%. When WC saw what percentage they put me at, they set me up with their doctor who put me at 10% and also had them try to get rid of paying for all my medications. It worked!!!
Right after the IME they no longer paid for my meds. and all hell broke lose after that. I just want you to remember you have not reached MMI yet and started the so called " War games " when they really come down to push n shove. Things were approved for me with PT/OT left and right and no problems. So that I never needed a lawyer. From what I read about your relationship with your NCM and how good you get along, you probably do not have a lawyer. This is where I ran into trouble come time for the hearing dispute on my rating.
I just wanted to let you know that you are still going through treatments and IME's and questions such as how long is he going to be on these meds will be asked. They were also asked in my case and then turned around and the lawyer fought to get the IME doctor to say they were never needed for my condition and the meds stopped instantly. Just know that they are thinking ahead of what this is all going to cost so that they can have the IME doctor work around why and how you should not get this and that paid for. This will be all the things the IME doctor they hire will disagree with to get to where they no longer will have to pay anymore.
Seriously they are NOT on your side and do not let them fool you. I should of had a lawyer when it came down to them cutting off my meds and my rating. The hearing officer whispered that in my ear in the hallway as I was leaving that it was best to be with a lawyer and to hire one. Just a word of advice, you should have council on your side when it comes time for settlement as you have had surgeries etc. and you need someone to stand up for you or they will walk all over you at settlement time. Especially where you are back to work now etc. Good luck and I am just giving my experience and know not all of them are the same, but it is best to hear all sides to be aware of what COULD happen.
Sparkey,
I can paraphrase that when it comes to WC an injured worker who chooses to represent himself has a fool for a client.
Thanks sparkey, as to the lawyer I do have one and he is at idle. I have not needed his help other then the direction he has steered me. But dont wory for he has been gathering all and any statements, records and unpaid medical expenses. I have been getting a monthly check for injury to shoulder and arm that has been rated by my dr... I still have many more injured parts that are permanent..
My lawyer checked it all out and said it was fine and it just shows good faith of ins company. I asked if he wanted any funds and he said nope not yet cause this is just a drop in a bucket. Well I can tell he has alot more money then me cause 12,000 is not just a drop in the bucket to me.. He says by me keeping a channel open to ncm and adjuster is a plus which will keep his fee's down and I will get my medical needs faster.
As I have stated, I have seen on here and have listened to others who have had the worst nightmare on wc. I have not had any bad luck as of up to this point and my DR's are very impressed with my ncm and have said how did I find her..... Now I have had other ncm's when mine could not make the appointment and 1 of them lives very close to me and came and talked to me by my car. She had told me that they did not expect me to get this far with recovery. And she did somthing that would get her fired, she said with your case its a bit different then the ones there used to because of the trama and details I cant post. But warned me to get a lawyer to get every dime I can...
But for what its worth, she does not know about my lawyer and the only one that does is my DR which his son is friends with my lawyer's son. I am just happy to be alive with my family, extra bonuses like pain free days, and extra money are welcomed but not expected..................Bronco