Happy Wednesday!
I CAN’T be the only one who has had a claimant/opposing counsel try to argue the Claimant never used their one-time Change of Physician… don’t let it happen with the tip below. ONE-time Change of Physician means ONE!
JOHN’S GEORGIA TIP OF THE WEEK: ALWAYS Document the Claimant’s Change of Physician With the WC-200a!
- Under O.C.G.A. 34-9-201, the Claimant has a statutory right to a ONE-time Change of Physician to another doctor listed on the Employer’s Panel of Physicians.
- Failure to properly document the Claimant’s use of their one-time Change can result in additional medical treatment which can increase both medical expenses and the overall value of the claim.
- ALWAYS document the Claimant’s use of their one-time Change with the WC-200a: Change of Physician/Additional Treatment by Consent.
- STEPS:
- Completely fill out the WC-200a form but DO NOT SIGN
- Send to the Claimant/opposing counsel to sign & return as documentation of the Change of Physician
- Once returned, sign and submit the WC-200a to the State Board of Workers’ Compensation ▪ send a copy to the Claimant, opposing counsel (if represented), and BOTH medical providers.
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
John Fennelly | Georgia Attorney