Will Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Pay for My Concussion Treatment?

Listen as Workers’ Compensation lawyer in Pennsylvania Bill Gregory Explains the Evolution of How Work-Related Concussions Have Been Treated

I’ve been representing injured workers long enough to have first-hand witnessed the 180 degree evolution of how work-related concussions have been addressed by employers and medical providers. When I first began my career, work-related concussion injuries were not thought to be an injury that would remove a person from work for an extended period of time. Absent a severe traumatic brain injury, what we thought of as “routine concussions” may have disabled a worker a few days to a week, rarely long enough to qualify for wage loss benefits under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. Treatment years ago consisted of rest, not much more than that.

Fortunately for injured workers, the routine treatment has evolved. We can thank the media spotlight on brain injuries from the NHL and NFL battles regarding the same. This scrutiny is starting to trickle down to non-athletes who are benefitting from the medical research the sports leagues have invested in. 

Typically, when an injured worker sustains a concussion at work, the treatment begins at an occupational medicine medical practice. Locally, the providers we see are Worknet, Concentra, Wellspan and LG Occupational Health. The treatment usually starts off conservative in nature with rest. However, if that does not work, we are seeing these occupational medical facilities refer patients out to neurologists, vestibular rehabilitation, ophthalmologist and physical therapists. We are seeing the intervention of neurologists earlier on in the treatment of work-related concussions who are managing the medications being used to reduce symptoms. Ophthalmologists are prescribing certain types of glasses that aid in the recovery from a concussion. Vestibular therapy is often employed to right the issues in the inner ear that get damaged from a concussion. 

All of these treatments, and others, are treatments that your Workers’ Compensation insurance company should be paying for. One issue to identify early and to keep your eye on while you are treating is who your medical provider has as the primary payor for your treatment. We are beginning to notice medical providers billing a patient’s health insurance over the workers’ compensation insurance because the reimbursement rate is higher for the provider. Then the provider passes along bills to you for your copayment or deductible. This should not happen, but often does.

However, do not fret, we can get it straightened out for you and make sure the proper insurance company pays for your work injury treatment.

 Your workers’ compensation insurance adjustor should not dissuade you from seeking all treatment options. Whether you are in the 90-day period or outside, most panel lists do not contain a neurology practice or vestibular rehabilitation facility, and as such, you are not beholden to limiting your treatment options with who the adjuster wants you to treat. Never let the adjustor tell you that treatment will not be paid if you do not go to the doctor they pick for you. You have rights, and you should consult an experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer to learn more.

Contact Attorney Bill Gregory, recognized as one of the top injury and disability lawyers in Pennsylvania who knows how to help victims of workplace injuries and their families after a work-related disability, injury, illness, or death has impacted your life. Call us for a no-pressure, Workers’ Compensation benefits consultation at 717.656.5000.

When you believe you need a high-powered Workers Compensation attorney in Philadelphia to win your Workers’ Comp case, you can be confident that RG Injury Law’s winning record is the result of personalized attention and communication with clients, thorough knowledge of Workers’ Compensation law in Pennsylvania, former insurance insider’s experience. While we call Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, our home, personal injury law firm fight for clients with injuries and disabilities in need of personal injury lawyers, and/or Workers’ Compensation lawyers throughout the mid-Atlantic region from offices in Lancaster County that include service in Harrisburg, Hershey, Middletown, Annville, Mt. Gretna, Elizabethtown, Columbia PA, Lancaster City, Neffsville, Hempfield Township, Manheim Borough, Manor Township, Manheim Township, Gap, Ephrata, Lititz, Leola, Mt. Joy, Marietta, Akron, Denver, Millersville, Willow Street, Strasburg, New Holland, Paradise, Refton, Quarryville, Reamstown, West Chester, Coatesville, Exton, King of Prussia, and Malvern. RG Injury Law also fights for people with disabilities in the counties of Lebanon, Philadelphia, Chester, York, Dauphin, Berks, and Montgomery.