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Welcome to our Workers Compensation
information page.
Introduction
Skilled physicians and allied professionals at OSA are ready
to treat your workplace injury, so that you can return to
work as promptly as possible. Please read our interpretation
of benefits provided you by Florida law.
Injury Care
You are entitled to receive medical and/or surgical
treatment for your on-the-job injury at no expense to you.
This includes medicines, supplies, and in some instances,
reimbursement for travel expenses which occur in conjunction
with your accident. However, Florida law permits the
physician to treat only the workplace injury.
Maximum Medical Improvement
Florida law defines the date of Maximum Medical Improvement
(MMI) as “the date after which further recovery from trauma,
or lasting improvement to an injury or disease can no longer
reasonably be anticipated, based upon reasonable medical
probability.” What this means to a treating physician is the
day when further treatment will not change the patient’s
outcome. MMI does not mean that further physical improvement
cannot take place.
What If Your Condition Worsens?
If certain unforeseen events occur within one year following
care for the workplace injury (example: a previously clean
wound appears to be infected), the law provides for a
reopening of the case for further care. This reopening
usually requires a “material change in condition” such as
the example given above. This change must be evident by
objective testing, not simply based on complaint of more
pain. Should such an event occur, the insurance adjuster
should be notified so a visit to the physician can be
authorized.
Permanent Partial Impairment
After you have reached MMI, your treating physician is
obligated to determine if you have a permanent partial
impairment (PPI). The PPI is a functional and anatomic loss,
and is not related to the patient’s age, training, work
history, etc. Most conditions deserving an impairment rating
are located in guides or manuals with the exact amount of
the rating listed — this is called a “scheduled loss.”
Medical Reports
Your physician will complete a form DWC-25 (Workers’
Compensation Uniform Medical Treatment/Status Report Form)
on every visit. You will be given a copy of this form and a
copy will be forwarded to the insurance company. Your
employer can also get a copy upon request.
Getting Help
If you have questions about your medical care contact
Veronica Dass our Workers Comp Liaison.
Veronica Dass:
Direct Line: (561) 620-1650 or (561) 734-5080 X 111
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