Can You Choose Your Own Doctor After a Workplace Injury in Colorado?

A workplace injury can leave you with more questions than answers. In addition to worrying about your recovery and returning to work, you may wonder who will oversee your medical care and whether you have a say in that decision. One of the most common questions injured workers ask is whether they can choose their own doctor after suffering a work-related injury.

The answer depends on Colorado's workers' compensation laws and the circumstances surrounding your claim. While injured employees do have rights, employers and their workers' compensation insurance carriers also have certain responsibilities when it comes to selecting medical providers. Understanding these rules can help you avoid mistakes that could affect both your medical treatment and your workers' compensation benefits.

At Larson Legal Services, we help injured workers throughout Colorado understand their rights and navigate the workers' compensation system. Knowing who can provide your medical care is an important part of protecting both your health and your claim.

How Medical Treatment Works After a Workplace Injury

Colorado's workers' compensation system is designed to provide medical care and wage replacement benefits to employees who are injured while performing their job duties.

Once an injury is reported, medical treatment becomes one of the most important aspects of your claim. Your physician will diagnose your injuries, recommend treatment, monitor your recovery, determine work restrictions, and ultimately decide when you have reached maximum medical improvement.

Because your doctor's opinions can significantly affect your benefits, understanding how physicians are selected is extremely important.

Does Your Employer Choose the Doctor?

In many Colorado workers' compensation cases, the employer or its insurance company has the right to designate the medical providers you may initially see for treatment.

Employers often provide a list of approved healthcare providers, sometimes called a designated provider list, from which injured employees must choose.

If your employer properly provides this list after your injury, you are generally expected to receive treatment from one of those designated providers.

This system is intended to ensure that injured workers receive appropriate medical care while maintaining consistency throughout the workers' compensation process.

What Happens if Your Employer Does Not Designate a Provider?

There are situations in which an employer may lose the right to select the treating physician.

For example, if your employer fails to properly provide a designated provider list when required, you may have greater flexibility in choosing your own treating physician.

Because these situations depend on the specific facts of each case, it is important to understand your rights before scheduling treatment with a provider who may not be authorized under the workers' compensation system.

Choosing the wrong physician without understanding the applicable rules could create unnecessary complications with your claim.

Can You Change Doctors During Your Treatment?

Changing physicians during a workers' compensation claim is sometimes possible, but it is not always automatic.

Depending on the circumstances, changing doctors may require approval from:

• Your employer
• The workers' compensation insurance carrier
• The Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation

If you are unhappy with your current medical provider, it is important to understand the proper procedures before seeking treatment elsewhere.

Changing doctors without following the required process may affect whether additional medical expenses are covered by workers' compensation.

Why Your Treating Physician Matters

Your authorized treating physician plays a much larger role than simply providing medical care.

That physician may determine:

• Your diagnosis
• Recommended treatment
• Whether surgery is necessary
• Physical therapy recommendations
• Work restrictions
• Whether you can return to work
• Whether you have reached maximum medical improvement
• Whether permanent impairment exists

These medical opinions can directly affect your workers' compensation benefits and the overall value of your claim.

Because of this, disagreements regarding medical treatment sometimes become one of the most important issues in a workers' compensation case.

What if You Disagree With the Doctor's Opinion?

Not every injured worker agrees with the opinions of their treating physician.

You may believe:

• Your injuries are more serious than reported.
• Additional treatment is necessary.
• You returned to work too soon.
• Your permanent impairment rating is incorrect.
• Your work restrictions are too limited.

Fortunately, Colorado's workers' compensation system provides procedures for resolving certain medical disputes.

Depending on your situation, additional medical evaluations or legal remedies may be available.

Before making decisions that could affect your benefits, it is often helpful to discuss your options with an experienced workers' compensation attorney.

Follow Your Treatment Plan

Regardless of which physician is providing your authorized care, following your treatment plan is one of the most important things you can do.

This includes:

• Attending scheduled appointments
• Taking prescribed medications
• Participating in physical therapy
• Following work restrictions
• Reporting new symptoms
• Keeping follow-up visits

Insurance companies may argue that benefits should be reduced or denied if an injured worker fails to comply with recommended medical treatment.

Consistent medical care also creates documentation that supports your claim and demonstrates the ongoing impact of your injuries.

Keep Records Throughout Your Recovery

Maintaining organized records can make it easier to address questions or disputes that arise during your claim.

Helpful records include:

• Medical reports
• Appointment summaries
• Prescription receipts
• Work restriction notices
• Correspondence from the insurance company
• Mileage related to medical appointments
• Medical bills
• Notes regarding your symptoms and recovery

These documents may become valuable if questions arise about your treatment or eligibility for benefits.

When Should You Contact a Workers' Compensation Attorney?

Although some workplace injury claims proceed smoothly, others become complicated when disputes arise regarding medical treatment, benefits, or authorized providers.

An attorney may be able to help if:

• Your claim has been denied.
• You are having difficulty obtaining medical treatment.
• You disagree with your doctor's opinions.
• Your benefits have been delayed.
• You are being pressured to return to work before you have recovered.
• Your employer or insurance company disputes your injuries.

Obtaining legal guidance early can help you understand your rights and avoid mistakes that could affect your claim.

If you have questions about your rights after a workplace injury, our attorneys can help you understand Colorado's workers' compensation system and protect your interests. Learn more about how we assist injured employees through our Colorado workers' compensation services.

Protect Your Health and Your Workers' Compensation Claim

Choosing the right medical provider after a workplace injury is an important part of your recovery. While Colorado law gives employers certain rights regarding authorized treating physicians, injured workers also have important legal protections. Understanding how these rules apply to your situation can help you receive appropriate medical care while preserving your right to workers' compensation benefits.

If you were injured on the job and have questions about your rights, our attorneys are here to help. Call us today or connect with us online to schedule a consultation.