What if you want to move

[vickinat]

What happens if while you are still under doctor's care and only have restrictions for sedentary light duty, and you want to move out of state? How does this affect the treatment and the WC claim, would they close it, because I would have to quit my job to move? Would they allow me to be treated until MMI in the new state? Would they have to make a settlement offer? Would they have to pay for me to be trained for a position within my restrictions? I haven't made any plans to move, but want to know what if? There are alot of people here with knowledge, and figure some one would know.
Thanks Vickie.

[sparkey]

I thought i read somewhere that your WC would still continue in another state. Correct me if i am wrong, but i read it somewhere under another workers comp forum page. I myself was wondering what would happen if we had to relocate due to my husbands job. Sorry i could not be of help, but will stand by till someone comes along to answer this question. Good luck vicki.

[1171]

yes you can treat in another state as long as the new doctor will comply with reporting requirements and honor any fee schedules in place in the original state.

[vickinat]

Thanks for the replies, I guess if I do decide to move, I'll have to find out what kind of doctors would be in the new state. I will have to wait and see what all my lawyer gets done with the WC.
I wanted to know how all of this works, because I thought that if you quit your job, that you lose your WC. I didn't know if anyone else went thru this before.
Thanks
Vickie

[sparkey]

1171? Like Vicki said, If you quit your job your WC terminates. How would this work if you move and no longer are working anywhere? Will that effect you recieving your TTD or will you still be entitled to it? Thank you for the replies.

[Wink]

vickinat Wrote:Thanks for the replies, I guess if I do decide to move, I'll have to find out what kind of doctors would be in the new state. I will have to wait and see what all my lawyer gets done with the WC.
I wanted to know how all of this works, because I thought that if you quit your job, that you lose your WC. I didn't know if anyone else went thru this before.
Thanks
Vickie

vickinat, if I were you...I'd sit down with my lawyer on the "if's", "and's" and "but's" regarding quitting my job. Make certain that you don't give the IC an excuse to terminate your benefits. Once they terminate your benefits you and your lawyer will play pure hell to get them reinstated.

[Pooh]

if you quit your job - then you are not qualified for ttd benefits under most state laws regardless of the reason for termination. You would still be allowed treatment for your injuries until you are MMI and for your impairment benefits allowed under the injury state laws. If you have any hearings then you are to travel back to the state of injury at your own expense.

some things to consider is the fact that not all doctors will accept out of state comp claims. So treatment may be delayed because they want payment from the IC up front for things like PT or they want letters of guarantee. NEVER Sign anything that says you will be responsible for the bill if the IC doesn't pay the bill always insist that they get a letter from the IC - I found out it falls back on the adjuster legally that guarantees that it will be paid. Meaning that if the IC doesn't pay the bill the adjuster can find them self being on the end of a judgment for the collection of the bill. Meaning that the bill will get approved and paid for once it comes in.

I think the IC was slow on paying 2 bills - one the doctor requested the letter and the other I demanded that they get the letter - and then I reminded them that they had the letters and they started calling the adjuster for payment and withing 2 months no more statements saying it was owed and when last I checked it was a zero balance. So they do work.

As far as anything else - my attorney let the IC know of the new address since I was working up until I moved. If your not working and getting checks - then it is still wise to go through your attorney and have them notify the IC of your new address and have them set up your first appointments in your new state. The reason behind them setting up your first appointments is because sometimes (if your allowed to choose doctors) is again not all doctors accept out of state claims.

It can take longer to get approval because the adjuster will tend to forget you. They actually closed my case because I moved out of state. So took 4 months of fighting to get appointments set up.

So there can be some problems and it can go smoothly as well. All depends - if your adjuster works with you - or your adjuster is one from hades like mines was

[vickinat]

Thanks everyone,
I will just have to wait it out, but you all have been very informative. Pooh, I'm like you, my adjuster is from Hades or lower if you know what I mean. She's been a royal pain, but now my attorney has to deal with her. Wink, I'll ask my attorney about this later on down the line. I was also wondering if your employer fires you, can you then move and still recieve compensation?
Thanks agin
Vickie

[NewDriver]

vickinat Wrote:I was also wondering if your employer fires you, can you then move and still recieve compensation?
Vickie

Vickie, if you are terminated you can pretty much count on not being able to draw your TTD or TPD without a fight. Termination for other "excuses" except for retaliation for filing the WC claim, (I don't know of any employers STUPID enough to admit that the WC claim is why one was fired, [that is illegal in all 50 states btw] but hey I suppose stranger things have happened), or if the termination is one that has been proven as being illegal discrimination based on a protected characteristic such as race, age etc. If you have the right attorney who is willing to delegate the time he/she may be able to get the wage replacement benefits reinstated. It is not completely out of the realm of reality to have the benefits reinstated and in many instances it has happened. Of course your medical benefits will stay intact until such time as your claim is settled or otherwise closed. Regardless of the reason you are no longer employed, quit, fired, laid off or otherwise.

ND

[1171]

If you are physically able to work but due to other circumstances can't, worker's comp is not going to make disability payments.

:)You have may have recourse with unemployment or private wage protection policies.