Who has the authority to choose the medical provider for an injured employee?
Employees can choose any provider they wish for an initial visit, if it is an emergency. After that, employees may see any provider among the more than 100,000 certified by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). The employer or MCO can encourage, but not require, the injured worker to see a provider who is part of the MCO’s panel (all of whom must be BWC-certified). University Hospitals CompCare’s provider panel includes more than 3,500 physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists and podiatrists, and about 100 acute/general care and rehabilitation hospitals. Panel providers allow MCOs such as University Hospitals CompCare to ensure continuity, high quality of care and cost effectiveness. However, workers retain the ultimate right to choose. There are no co-payments or deductibles for workers who seek treatment for injuries related to approved claims as long as they see a BWC-certified provider. Workers who visit uncertified providers may be responsible for some or all of th
