Can Injection Therapy Be Authorized Under Workers’ Comp?

When workplace injuries leave you grappling with chronic pain or mobility issues, injection therapy can offer significant relief and help restore your quality of life. These targeted treatments, which deliver medication directly to affected joints or tissues, have proven effective for numerous work-related conditions.

However, securing workers’ compensation approval for injection therapy often presents unexpected hurdles, as insurance companies frequently scrutinize these treatments.

Consulting a skilled Minneapolis workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate these challenges, gather the necessary medical evidence, and fight for the benefits you deserve.

Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Medical Treatments

Under Minnesota law, you are entitled to reasonable and necessary medical treatment to cure or relieve the effects of your work injury. The state’s workers’ compensation system requires employers to pay for comprehensive medical care, including surgical procedures, hospital treatment, chiropractic care, and specialized therapies.

Your employer must also cover all reasonable expenses related to your treatment, from the actual medical procedures to travel costs, medical reports, and copying charges.

Types of Injection Therapy Commonly Used for Work Injuries

Injection therapy can be administered by doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or other qualified medical professionals. The two primary types of therapeutic injections include corticosteroid injections and viscosupplementation treatments. 

• Corticosteroid injections, which include cortisone and other anti-inflammatory medications, help reduce tissue inflammation and typically cost between $50 and $200 per injection. 
• Viscosupplementation injections use hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in human cartilage, to provide lubrication and shock absorption. These treatments are more expensive, usually administered in a series of three weekly injections costing $1,200 to $1,500 per series.

Injection therapy can be very effective for many types of work-related conditions, including knee arthritis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. These treatments are also commonly recommended for spinal stenosis, herniated discs, meniscus tears, and rotator cuff injuries.

When Workers’ Comp May Deny Injection Therapy Claims

Workers’ compensation insurers may deny injection therapy claims for several reasons. They may question whether the treatment is necessary or argue that your condition stems from a pre-existing injury rather than your workplace accident.

Insurance companies may also deny claims if they dispute whether your injury is genuinely work-related or if you failed to report the injury within the required timeframe. 

Appealing Denied Authorization for Injection Treatments

If your injection therapy claim is denied, you have several options for appeal. Start by contacting the insurance claims adjuster directly, as some denials result from simple administrative errors.

If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you can file an Employee’s Claim Petition with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industries within three years of your injury date.

The appeals process may involve settlement conferences, mediation, or hearings before an Office of Administrative Hearings judge. If you disagree with the initial decision, you can appeal to the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, and ultimately to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

A Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer can provide valuable support during all stages of the claims process—from initial claim filing and documentation all the way through to filing necessary appeals.

An experienced attorney can also advocate for your treatment needs and help secure approval for injection therapy. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a workers’ comp lawyer today to protect your rights and secure the medical treatment you deserve.