Have you sustained an injury from a work-related accident? In order to ensure that you get the wage and medical help you need, it’s important for you to understand the process for obtaining workers’ compensation benefits.
What’s Included in Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Workers’ compensation programs vary from state to state, but there are similarities between programs. In general, there are three major components of workers' compensation benefits:
- Medical Expenses- Medical benefits include covering the expenses for hospitals, doctors, and medical treatments. While some programs permit injured workers to select a medical provider of his or her own choice, others require that a medical provider is picked from an approved list that’s been set up by their employer or insurance company.
- Disability Pay - Temporary disability pay covers wages until injured workers are able to recover. Permanent disability pay is used in situations where a worker may never recover from their injury. While the designation and amount of benefits in your case are unique, disability pay can cover up to two-thirds of your normal pay through the workers’ compensation program.
- Vocational Rehabilitation - Vocational rehabilitation covers re-training expenses if your injury renders you unable to perform the usual duties of your occupation. The focus on vocational rehabilitation is to give you the skills you need to enter into a new trade or business. It also may cover physical therapy or other treatments to help you recover physically.
What are the Limitations of Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Workers that have sustained a job-related injury are eligible to recover the cost of medical treatments, such as:
- Emergency room services
- Hospital care
- Doctor fees
- Prescriptions
- Physical therapy
The basic requirement for workers’ compensation claims is that a qualified medical professional documents your injury. Your doctor may need to include information such as what treatments he or she performed, why they require a type of care, and alternative treatments that aren’t required.
How is Workers’ Compensation Calculated?
Workers' compensation payments are intended to help recover lost wages due to work-related injuries. Premiums are calculated according to how employees are classified, the rate assigned to each employee classification, and the company’s claims experience. The premium rate for workers’ compensation insurance is calculated by the following formula:
Premium = Payroll (per $100) X Class Code Rate X Experience Modifier + Taxes & Fees
Your payroll is the basis for an employer's workers' comp insurance premium, where a rate is applied to each $100 dollars of your payroll amount. In most states, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) determines the class code rate and experience modifier.
Contact OWCP Doctors in Houston For Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits
OWCP Doctors Houston provides comprehensive care for injured federal employees, offers free claims management services, and helps federal employees get the compensation they deserve. If you have any questions about your workers’ compensation benefits or claim, call us today for a free consultation.
