Work Comp Prescription
If you have just been hurt at work, the order you do things in matters. Reporting late, seeing the wrong provider, or leaving the paperwork until later are the three things most likely to cause problems with a claim that would otherwise be straightforward. Here is the sequence.
-
Get medical attention
If the injury is serious, get emergency care first and deal with the paperwork afterwards. Nothing about a workers’ comp process should delay urgent treatment. For anything less than an emergency, still get seen promptly, and tell whoever treats you that the injury happened at work, because that single sentence determines how the visit is recorded and billed.
-
Report it to your employer, in writing, straight away
This is the step people skip and regret. Tell your supervisor as soon as you can and follow it up in writing, even a short email, so there is a dated record. Ask to complete an incident report and keep a copy. Every state sets a deadline for reporting a work injury to your employer, and missing it can jeopardize the claim regardless of how genuine the injury is.
-
Find out who your treating provider should be
This varies more than any other part of the process. In some states you choose your treating physician, in others the employer or carrier directs you to a provider, and in others you choose from a list or can change after a set period. Getting this wrong can mean the treatment is not covered, so ask your employer directly and check your state’s rules. Our page on choosing your own doctor covers this in more detail.
-
Make sure a claim is actually filed
Telling your supervisor is not the same as a claim being filed with the carrier. Ask specifically whether the claim has been submitted, and ask for the claim number and the name of the adjuster assigned to it. Write both down. Almost every downstream problem, including pharmacy rejections, traces back to a missing or wrong claim number.
-
Get your prescriptions without the delay
If your doctor prescribes medication, this is the point where many injured workers hit a wall. Retail pharmacies frequently cannot process workers’ comp billing, so the prescription is rejected at the counter and you are told to pay for it yourself or come back later.
You should not have to do either. Patient Direct Pharmacy handles workers’ comp prescriptions as our only business. We bill the carrier directly, there is no cost to you on an approved claim, and we ship to your home. If your claim is new and not yet fully approved, we can often still get you started. Call (317) 676-5752 or have your doctor or attorney send the prescription to us.
-
Keep records of everything
- The date, time and circumstances of the injury, written down while it is fresh
- Names of anyone who witnessed it
- Every medical appointment, with dates and provider names
- Your claim number and adjuster’s contact details
- Copies of every letter from the carrier, particularly anything refusing something
- Receipts for anything you have paid for yourself, including prescriptions and travel
-
Follow the treatment plan
Attend appointments, follow the prescribed treatment, and stay in contact with your employer about your status and any work restrictions. Gaps in treatment are routinely used to argue that an injury was less serious than claimed, and missed medication is a gap.
How long does a workers’ comp claim take?
An uncontested claim with a clear injury can be accepted within a few weeks. A contested one can take many months. The variables are how quickly the injury was reported, how clear the medical evidence is, and whether the carrier disputes any part of it.
What should not vary is your access to medication, which is the part we can keep moving regardless.
When to get legal advice
This page is general information from a pharmacy, not legal advice. If your claim is denied, if you are being pressured not to file, if there is a dispute about whether the injury is work-related, or if you are unsure about your rights, speak to a workers’ compensation attorney in your state or contact your state’s workers’ compensation agency.
FAQ
What is the first thing to do after a work injury?
Get medical attention, and tell the treating provider the injury happened at work. Then report it to your employer in writing as soon as you can.
How long do I have to report a work injury?
Every state sets its own deadline and some are short, so report it immediately and in writing. Check your state’s specific deadline with the state workers’ compensation agency.
Do I need a claim number to get my prescriptions?
It makes it faster and is normally needed for billing, but call us anyway. We can often start while claim details are being confirmed.
Why won’t my pharmacy fill my work injury prescription?
Most retail pharmacies are not set up to bill a workers’ comp carrier, so the claim is rejected at the counter. A pharmacy that specializes in workers’ comp can process it.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
Related pages
Our location
Patient Direct Pharmacy 3350 N. High School Rd. Ste. JIndianapolis, IN 46224
(317) 676-5752