According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, an estimated 100,000 workplace injuries or occupational diseases are reported to the agency every year. The people connected to these claims may have experienced a range of events or conditions, including many that require emergent and ongoing medical care. As a working resident of the State of Washington, you should understand what type of care you are eligible for under workers’ compensation should you be injured or ill due to a work event or situation.
Employee choice vs state choice
If you need emergency care or for a first visit to investigate a potential injury or condition, you as the employee have the right to choose what provider or facility you visit. Should you end up with a valid workers’ compensation claim, any subsequent medical care must be administered only by a provider approved by the state program.
Type of care or services covered
The state’s program may pay for all medical costs associated with your approved workers’ compensation claim. This may include hospital stays, in-patient or outpatient surgeries or procedures, medications, support products like braces or prosthesis, medical transportation, nursing home or rehabilitation care, and office visits. All providers and facilities must submit their billing directly to the state, not to you as the patient.
If you would like to learn more about what help may be available to you after you have been injured on the job or developed a work-related illness, please feel free to visit the medical assistance and benefits page of our Washington State workers’ compensation website.