Medical Dispute with Icare and workers compensation Insurer
How long do I have to wait?
When you are an injured worker waiting for a decision from Icare and the workers compensation insurer relating to your medical treatment on your workers compensation claim can be painful and emotionally draining. You know you need the treatment to assist your recovery, so why wont Icare and the workers compensation insurer help?
If your workers compensation claim has been accepted there is a range of treatment that Icare and the workers compensation insurer does not need to approve, including meeting with your GP, scans, some physiotherapy and some medication. Usually this is nowhere near enough to help your recovery if your work injury is serious.
Most treatment does require approval from Icare and the workers compensation insurer, for example regular physiotherapy, injections, surgery and inpatient psychiatric treatment.
Your GP, Specialist or treatment provider should send a written request for approval of the proposed treatment to Icare and the workers compensation insurer. Icare and the workers compensation insurer must then make a decision regarding the treatment within three weeks of receiving the request. In making its decision, Icare and the workers compensation insurer will decide whether the proposed treatment relates to your work injury and is reasonably necessary.
It is very common for Icare and the workers compensation insurer to knock back an injured worker’s claim for medical expenses. If Icare and the workers compensation insurer does this it MUST do it in writing. An injured worker will receive from Icare and the workers compensation insurer a section 78 Notice. This section 78 Notice MUST explain why Icare and the workers compensation insurer has knocked back your claim and MUST attach all evidence relied upon.
As soon as an injured worker receives a section 78 Notice you should contact Toby Tancred Solicitor. For many years Toby Tancred has consistently been able to assist injured workers in their disputes with Icare and the workers compensation insurer particularly in relation to medical expenses. Some solicitors claim to have years of experience dealing with Icare and workers compensation insurers; in Orange and the Central West only Toby Tancred actually does. Runs on the board count.
As an injured worker you are entitled to be advised by Toby Tancred. The Independent Review Office (IRO) can assist by providing funding for this legal advice. IRO provides funding to approved Solicitors to investigate claims, provide advice to you as an injured worker, and deal with employers and insurers on your behalf. Toby is an IRO Approved Lawyer. Toby Tancred is a Law Society Personal Injury Accredited Specialist and has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Recommended Work Injury Compensation Lawyer for two years running. Doyle’s Guide has also named Toby Tancred Solicitor as a Recommended Asbestos & Dust Diseases Compensation Law Firm. Toby Tancred has the experience, knowledge and ability to help all injured workers in difficult times.