The Short Answer
A Form 25C in a North Carolina workers' compensation case is an Authorization for a Rehabilitation Professional to Obtain Medical Records of Current Treatment. It is filed with the North Carolina Industrial Commission and gives a treating specialist permission to review your medical records related to your work injury. If your primary treating physician recommends you see a specialist to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), this form is how that specialist gains access to your records. Refusing to sign a Form 25C can result in being found noncompliant with rehabilitation, which can lead to the suspension of your workers' compensation benefits.
A Form 25C in Workers’ Compensation is an Authorization for Rehabilitation Professional to Obtain Medical Records of Current Treatment. When you have been injured on a job and you have started your Workers’ Compensation case, you will be assigned to a physician picked by the insurance company representing the company in which you work(ed) for. At this point you and the doctor will begin treatment to get you improved medically to the maximum potential (your MMI, maximum medical improvement). If your physician feels like you need to be seen by a specialist in order to reach your MMI then the physician will send written recommendation and authorization for the specialist to treat you.
At this point, this is where a Form 25C comes in to play. A Form 25C in Workers’ Compensation is an Authorization for Rehabilitation Professional to Obtain Medical Records of Current Treatment and is filed with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. This gives permission for the treating specialist to obtain your medical records of treatment resulting from your work related injury to assess your current health situation.
What happens if you do not feel like you should have to see a specialist? If you wish to continue with your case, unfortunately there is not much choice! Your refusal to sign this form upon the request of the rehabilitation professional can result in being deemed as “noncompliant” with rehabilitation and the North Carolina Industrial Commission can suspend your benefits. It is very important throughout your Workers’ Compensation case that you comply with all rules and regulations of the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
Like all other facets of the law, Workers’ Compensation is very complicated and best handled by an experienced attorney. It is strongly advised that if you think you may have a workers’ compensation case that you consult an attorney.
Key Takeaways
- A Form 25C authorizes a rehabilitation professional or treating specialist to obtain your medical records related to your work injury in a North Carolina workers' comp case.
- The form is filed with the North Carolina Industrial Commission and comes into play when your primary physician recommends specialist care to help you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).
- Your treating physician — chosen by the insurance company — initiates the referral to a specialist, which triggers the need for a signed Form 25C.
- Refusing to sign the form is considered noncompliance with rehabilitation, and the North Carolina Industrial Commission has the authority to suspend your workers' compensation benefits as a result.
- Complying with all forms, rules, and requests from the North Carolina Industrial Commission throughout your case is essential to protecting your benefits.
- Workers' compensation rules in North Carolina are complex, and consulting an experienced attorney can help you avoid costly mistakes like an unintentional noncompliance finding.
