help

[queenbee]

I was injured in Dec 2006, broke my arm, neck injury and shoulder injury. Case manager cancelled my physical therapy, stopped my workmans comp award the same time I was fired from my employer.
it takes 5 weeks for them to approve any tests my doctor orders. i am right now still waiting to hear about therapy again going on three weeks now. i was told I could do sedentary work but my employer refused to let me come back. i was awarded uemployment but i cant collect due to the fact i am not able to work. i have a attorney who tells me this is normal. i am i pain, i am depressed, i want to have my surgery but i cant get the insurance company to move . i have bee to thier doctor for another opiio and it was the same as the doctors i am seeing. before i lose my mind is this normal. Prior to this i was used to following doctors orders getting tests done quickly and getting injuries taken care of in a timely manner. I feel the attitude I am receiving is intentional and there really isn't any protection, am I right?

[Tuffy]

If you have an attorney, what is he doing to help you? Have you received medical care for ALL of your injuries? Have you been placed at MMI by your treating Dr/Drs? And yes if you can't activally look for a new job, you can't collect unemployment. Your attornry should be on the ball and working to get your WC benifits restarted. What state are you in? And welcome, hope we can give you the info you need.

[queenbee]

I got an attorney in February because I couldnt get anyone to approve my mri but nothing has changed . what medical care i get takes forever to get approved. I do not know what MMI is. I am in Maryland and don't know what to do. thanks for just answering me.

[chrischris]

Hi queenbee,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Workers Comp.

First off, go to the top of this page and open the pull down window "info by state". Find Maryland and search the site so you can educate yourself on the WC laws in your State. Every State is different.

I am in California, and I quickly learned that all referrals made for medical procedures have to be approved by the I/C. I have not had one procedure approved in less than 4 weeks, but 5 weeks has been the norm, then once you get the approval, you have to set up an appt., and that can take a few weeks as well.

You have to remain persistant and proactive in obtaining your medical care. Since you have an attorney, he/she should be contacted for help. But, he/she has also told you that the wait is normal, and that sounds correct. Your doctor also has a big part in this. If he/she requested a specific test, like an MRI, he/she must supply Medical Evidence that you need this test. If not, it will create another delay, or denial.

Remember, the WC insurance is not like Regular Medical Insurance. It is a work benefit, not an entitlement. Therefore everything has to be approved for medical necessity. It's all part of the way the system works and it is frustrating at times. Hang in there and try not to stress about it. Delays are part of the WC process. We are all in the same boat and you are not alone with your frustrations.

Take care!

[queenbee]

THANK YOU I FEEL BETTER KNOWING I AM NOT ALONE BUT IT MAKES ME SAD THAT SO MANY ARE SUFFERING LIKE I AM.
COLLEEN

[Still in Limbo]

Sorry to hear you are going through so much Queen! A lot of what you are asking here should be handled by your Attorney. This w/c system can be very slow, depressing, angering, and the list goes on, but your Attorney should be in there batting away for you. If you were fired and they don't have a job to fit your restrictions, you should be receiving TTD (Total Temporary Disability) Payments until you are healed and able to return. Just my opinion, write down every concern you have, and tell your Attorney you want a set down meeting with them and when you leave, you would like a complete copy of your records. You may have to pay a small copy fee, but if you don't like the answers your hear, you will have the info. to hire another Attorney if necessary. I hope it doesn't come to that, and maybe the meeting will get your concerns across, and get your Attorney on the ball and moving quicker!! Best of Luck, and please keep us informed!!

[capricorn]

Morning queenie.......CC and limbo have given great advise. All is true . the system stinks and is very slow. Whenever mya ttorney put me on hold, or I called 3 times and didn't get a callback I would schedule a sit down with him. Got to the point that him and I and his partner would do conference calls instead of me going in. You need to put your foot down with your attorney if you need a response. None of them call you back immediately but I always felt within 48-72 hours ( Unless it;s an emergency) is fair. Tell him that you will not be put off. If you're no thappy after you sit down with im, it might be time to look for another attorney. Let us know and best of luck.

CAP

[queenbee]

I am going to try to get ahold of my attorney tomorrow and ask if they are trying to reopen or correct my workmans comp. so I can at least recieve some money while I am sittimg in limbo waiting for my surgery.
EIGHT months with no money has used up my savings. I did ask my attorney if I could apply for social security disability and they are going to have someone call me. All I want is to get back to work until this injury I never took a sick day , in fact I have lost vacation and personal days due to the fact that when your a manager in retail you work 60- 70 hours a week most of the time 7 days a week
I am not used to sitiing around unable to accomplish the smallest household chore. This is affecting my personality, mental state,and most important my relationships with my family and friends , plus thanks to my attorney I am also experiencing paranoia - they have me feeling a detective or someone is watching me they said this is what the insurance companies do I have nothing to hide but I do treasure my privacy. Now nno matter where I am I feel everyone is watching me _ I know that sounds crazy but this wholle situation is crazy.

[capricorn]

Queen....Sorry you are going through this. I hate to say it is all normal though. All we go through definitely takes it's toll on our personalities, mental and emotional state. It's causes such havoc in our lives on top of the pain and I have to say anger at having our lives changed so drastically. I loved my job inspite of my boss. Always in early, stayed late and helped everyone else get done. The paranoia I also understand. I try not to think about it now but I didn't leave my home for so many months after first bbeing injured because I felt IF I couldn't work I had no right to go out the door. Also felt no matter where i went someone knew me and was watching. It's just horrible.You're no talone. We have all experienced the frustration, depression you speak of. I am wishing you all positive thoughts in your journey. Stay here. we are all here to support you.

CAP