So here I am a Nurse who was injured at work about 3 months ago. Workers Comp is a new experience for me. Never injured on the job like this. Got a Neck injury supporting pt. (very large) from hitting the floor. Yes I know we are not supposed to "lower them to the floor". But who can do that? I mean it was a reflexive action to stop another human being from being hurt.
Anyway, here I am and to tell you the truth, I'm getting to the end of my rope. No nothing like that! But the level of frustration at not working is getting to be to much. I will not even get into economics - Workers comp rules state that MRIs are only utilized after other treatments have been tried and symptoms persist. Well PT, Trigger Point Injections all done and symptoms persist. Now I am being sent to an IME (Indep. Medical Exam) to be examined by yet another MD...its maddening. I told my Ortho that if I got hurt in a car accident, I would have had the Dx tests needed, treatments and be back to work.
Yes, I've called the Ins. Co. who politely told me their hands are tied with new WC rules.
Yikes! PP's horror stories point out the wisdom of Texas allowing a company to "opt out" of WC if they set up their own internal plan for handling occupational injuries - has to meet all the same requirements for providing care & maintain specific amount of designated funds, etc. My organization chose to opt out several years ago and the result has been not only been quicker response, but much better care for anyone who is injured. It has also resulted in lower overall costs because there's no need for everyone to hire lawyers to get anything done.
There seems to be waaaay too much WC red tape for any sane person to deal with- especially someone who is injured, vulnerable & facing financial ruin. I'm also troubled by the reports (2 or 3 times a year) of providers who are caught running WC 'mills' and amassing huge profits through fraudulent claims. Prime example of a good idea gone horribly wrong.
HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD
9,051 Posts
Yikes! PP's horror stories point out the wisdom of Texas allowing a company to "opt out" of WC if they set up their own internal plan for handling occupational injuries - has to meet all the same requirements for providing care & maintain specific amount of designated funds, etc. My organization chose to opt out several years ago and the result has been not only been quicker response, but much better care for anyone who is injured. It has also resulted in lower overall costs because there's no need for everyone to hire lawyers to get anything done.
There seems to be waaaay too much WC red tape for any sane person to deal with- especially someone who is injured, vulnerable & facing financial ruin. I'm also troubled by the reports (2 or 3 times a year) of providers who are caught running WC 'mills' and amassing huge profits through fraudulent claims. Prime example of a good idea gone horribly wrong.