The Short Answer
Yes — if the workers' compensation insurance company accepts your claim, your medical bills will be covered. Coverage depends on whether the insurer files a Form 60 or Form 63 accepting the injury. If your claim is denied, use your own insurance in the meantime and pursue reimbursement if your workers' comp claim is later approved. An attorney can help make sure you receive every benefit you're entitled to.
The short answer is, yes, the workers’ compensation insurance company pays medical bills if they have accepted your workers’ compensation claim.
When someone gets hurt on the job, one of the first things that likely goes through their mind is, “How am I going to pay for all of this?” If you take action and inform your employer about the accident, you may be covered under their workers’ compensation insurance. Every company that has over two employees is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance on their employees. You do not necessarily have to have a workers’ compensation attorney for your claim, but hiring an attorney can help you ensure you get all of the benefits and compensation available in your case.
As long as the workers’ compensation insurance agency accepts the injury, medical bills will be covered under workers’ compensation. An insurance company typically does this by filing either a Form 60 or Form 63. As the employee, you must be able to prove the injury or occupational disease was sustained in the course of your employment. One, sometimes-frustrating, experience when dealing with a workers’ compensation case is that the insurance company can choose which doctor(s) you go see. However, if you feel like you should be able to receive a second opinion you can do that by going through the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
If the insurance company denies your workers’ compensation claim then you should have your own insurance company treat your injuries and, through a workers’ compensation claim, you can then have your insurance company paid back the incurred expenses if you are successful in having your workers’ compensation claim accepted.
Key Takeaways
- Any North Carolina employer with more than two employees is required to carry workers' compensation insurance, which can cover your medical bills if you're hurt on the job.
- The insurance company formally accepts your injury by filing a Form 60 or Form 63 — without that acceptance, coverage is not guaranteed.
- You must be able to show that your injury or occupational disease occurred in the course of your employment for your claim to be accepted.
- The workers' compensation insurer has the right to choose your treating doctor, but you can request a second opinion through the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
- If your claim is denied, file with your own health insurance first and seek reimbursement through the workers' comp process if your claim is eventually approved.
- Hiring a workers' compensation attorney is not required, but legal representation can help ensure you receive the full range of benefits available to you.
