The Short Answer
Form 25C is a North Carolina Workers' Compensation document that you, as an injured employee, sign to authorize medical providers to release your injury-related records to a rehabilitation professional. That rehabilitation professional — typically a registered nurse or licensed medical professional — is hired by your employer or their insurance company to monitor your medical treatment and report back on your condition. They may attend your medical appointments and speak directly with your doctors or therapists. Both you and your employer are entitled to receive copies of all reports the rehabilitation professional produces.
Form 25C is a document prescribed under North Carolina Workers’ Compensation laws. Form 25C is signed by the injured employee and gives medical providers authorization to release the employee’s medical records relating to the injury sustained in a workers’ compensation accident to a rehabilitation professional.
The employer or insurance company may hire a rehabilitation professional to monitor an injured employee’s medical treatment. The rehabilitation professional may attend medical visits with the injured employee and discuss the medical condition and proposed treatment of the injured worker with the physician, therapist or other healthcare professional. The rehabilitation professional is usually a registered nurse or other licensed medical professional who reports back to the insurance company or employer on the medical condition and treatment of the injured worker. The rehabilitation professional is presumed to be an unbiased third party who reports the injured worker’s medical facts to the insurance company or employer and also helps the injured employee understand the proposed treatment. The injured worker and the employer are entitled to a copy of all reports.
Key Takeaways
- Form 25C is a medical records release you sign that gives a rehabilitation professional access to your injury-related medical information under NC Workers' Compensation law.
- The rehabilitation professional is hired by your employer or their insurance company — not by you — and reports your medical condition and treatment details back to them.
- This professional, usually a registered nurse or licensed medical provider, may attend your doctor appointments and discuss your diagnosis and proposed treatment with your healthcare team.
- Under NC Workers' Compensation rules, you are entitled to receive a copy of every report the rehabilitation professional submits, so you are not left in the dark about what is being communicated.
- The rehabilitation professional is presumed to be an unbiased third party, but you should be aware they are reporting to the party responsible for paying your claim.
- If you have concerns about signing Form 25C or about a rehabilitation professional attending your appointments, consult a workers' compensation attorney before proceeding.
