You might feel overwhelmed and uncertain about your medical care options after suffering a workplace injury in Minnesota. The state’s workers’ compensation system allows injured workers to file a claim for benefits, including medical expenses when they are hurt on the job—regardless of fault or negligence.
Physical therapy is often critical to helping injured workers heal and return to their jobs, but you may wonder: is this treatment covered under workers’ comp? How does the benefits process work?
A Minneapolis workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate these questions and ensure you receive the full benefits you’re entitled to. From filing your claim to addressing disputes over coverage for treatments like physical therapy, an attorney can provide guidance and advocacy every step of the way.
Whether you have injured your back from heavy lifting, developed carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive motions, or suffered a shoulder strain from overhead work, physical therapy can play an essential role in your recovery process. With the help of a skilled therapist, you will participate in a range of exercises designed to help you regain strength, mobility, and confidence in your ability to work safely.
These might include:
Most importantly, your therapist will teach you how to prevent future injuries and adapt to any long-term complications that you might have developed. You will learn specific exercises you can do at home or work to maintain your progress and protect against re-injury.
In Minnesota, you are entitled to benefits to help pay for all reasonable and necessary treatment for your work-related injury. As long as physical therapy is necessary to your healing process, workers’ compensation must pay for these sessions. However, specific treatment parameters govern how this care is provided.
Your physical therapist must document ongoing progress through regular evaluations, showing improvement in at least two of these three areas: your subjective symptoms, objective clinical findings, or functional status including work capability. If you reach a plateau in your recovery, your provider must either modify the approach or refer you to another specialist.
When it comes to payment for your physical therapy, your medical provider will bill your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier directly within 60 days of each treatment session. The insurance company then has 30 days to review the charges and supporting medical records.
They must either pay the bill, request additional information, or provide a written explanation if they deny any charges. You should never receive a bill directly from your physical therapist unless your workers’ compensation claim has been denied.
When you are injured at work, you deserve to receive the medical care that you need to recover fully and return to work safely. In these situations, a Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney can guide you through the complex claims process while protecting your right to benefits.
Your attorney will make sure that the insurer does not prematurely terminate your physical therapy benefits, challenge unreasonable denials of treatment, and fight for modifications to standard treatment protocols when your situation requires it.
If you are hurt on the job, seek medical care as soon as possible and report the incident to your employer. Then, schedule a free legal consultation with a Minnesota workers’ comp lawyer to begin building your claim.
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