Private Insurance?

[lostinthesystem]

I live in KY, and have never had any experience with workers comp, and do not really know how a lot of this works. Last October, I suffered a back injury at work and have been struggling with it ever since. I filed for workers comp, and have been fighting with it ever since. Since October, I have been in a lot of pain and struggle to even move. Getting any medical treatment through workers comp proved very difficult time consuming. Trying to get anything pre-apprpved through workers comp minimally took days, and feeling as bad as I did, getting things resolved quickly was very important. As a result of this, I sought my own medial treatment outside the world of workers comp with my own private insurance company in order to speed things up, and try to get back on my feet. Up to this point, I have not recieved any compensation up to this point, and since I sought my own treatment through my private health insurance provider, I was wondering if that was ok to do, and how that can affect my claim.

[nurse83]

Dear lostinthesystem;

i know the feeling; I'm currently in the land of the lost myself!

What state you're in has a bearing on the answers to your questions as W/C laws vary from state to state, so you may want to post where you're at so that those who are familiar with your state can reply.

Generally I think I'm safe in saying you ARE able to choose your own provider especially if you're unhappy with the MD your company sent you to.

Where are you at in your claim process? Has a determination of disability either permanent or temp been made? Have you received any benefits yet?
You didn't say if you were working or not but from reading your post I would say you're not if even moving is a struggle for you. What about your employer--have they been helpful and done all the right things for you?

I generally would say stay away from the lawyers! but you may be at a point where you need to at least consult with one. But be picky and make sure your choose a lawyer experienced in W/C--it will make a big difference!

Best wishes to you on a pain free '08 and resolution of your problems!

[tweety00]

hey lost In my state we have to go before w/c to change doctors ...

But since I was denied I make sure each and every time that I give a list of problems that im having and also state that yes this is worked related and give a copy of the denial ..
I was told at one point that they wanted to settle but I new that I needed alot more help ... so I asked for 2nd opinion and got a denial ... so in my state then I could go to any doctor that I wanted to ... have gotten neck fusion and now working on the back which w/c said was resolved ... ha ha ha

[sparkey]

I had my own PC and wc doctor hand in hand for awhile and then the PC doctor said that he did not want to get involved anymore, but if i was having any trouble he would help me out and get back involved. It took my PC to convince my wc doctor that i needed to be put out of work.


Also during the beginning of my injury, my work kept telling me to get a second opinion if i wanted and go to my own PC if needed. That is because i was sent back to work with a brace on my hand and in pain for 2 months. It ended up causing more damage and made me have a frozen shoulder from protecting it.

[Bummer Knees]

I live in Kansas and ws told two years ago that I need a total knee replacement as soon as possible. Work comp has continued to deny the surgery and my health insurance denies anything to do with my knees due to it being a work injury.

Due to the lack of treatment I now have problems with my back and right hip.

Next fall I will recieve Medicare (Social Security) although I doublt it it will be much help due to the work injury.

[Lilly]

Hi Lost,
Here's the link to your state's WC info in case you'd like to read-up on it.
http://www.workerscompensation.com/kentucky.php
Welcome to the forum (join the crowd in your struggles)
Good Luck to you. Lilly