Uncomfortable with Invasive Procedure

[SandyK]

I’m in the process of going through a lot of test ordered by my IME. One of the procedures is invasive (camera probe with random biopsies) and I do not feel comfortable with the doctor doing the procedure. What rights do I have? I will be calling my lawyer today to ask this question but I wanted to see if others have experienced this issue. (I'm in SC)

[bodybuilder1958]

To be able to answer this the question about the camera probe test I would have to know what type of procedure is involved.

If you feel uncomfortable about this doctor performing the procedure I would ask him/her how many of such procedures they have done.

Bodybuilder1958

[SandyK]

(04-11-2011 09:50 AM)bodybuilder1958 Wrote:  To be able to answer this the question about the camera probe test I would have to know what type of procedure is involved.

If you feel uncomfortable about this doctor performing the procedure I would ask him/her how many of such procedures they have done.

Bodybuilder1958

thanks for responding. It is an endoscopy and I'm sure plenty have been preformed. I just don't feel comfortable with having this process with this physician. My on the job injuries involve my larynx and respiratory system and I'm very leary about letting just anyone sedate me and probe my throat.

I have a GI that has been treating me that I have full faith in. WC doesn't want to use my GI because they say it would take me to long to get an appointment and they don't want to wait which is oxymoronic since I've been waiting for months on them.

[bodybuilder1958]

This is something you definitely need to talk to your lawyer about. I understand your hesitation and lack of faith in your work comp doctor. I'm sure dozens of others here share the same apprehension about their treating WC docs.

Unfortunately the WC system cares little about 'our feelings' in how they decide our treatment.

Take care,
bodybuilder1958

[1171]

you can refuse the procedure.
the issue can be litigated before the comp court as to whether it is reasonable or not.
you will probably need a better reason then being uncomfortable.
comfort is not required for IME medical exams.

[SandyK]

(04-11-2011 11:17 AM)1171 Wrote:  you can refuse the procedure.
the issue can be litigated before the comp court as to whether it is reasonable or not.
you will probably need a better reason then being uncomfortable.
comfort is not required for IME medical exams.

Thanks this is as I thought. I guess I'm just leery of everything. I just don't trust being put to sleep by this doctor. I'm not objecting to the test just to the physician who is doing the work.

If my insurance pays for the test will they except the reports from another doc?

[Bummer Knees]

It will be difficult to get your personal health insurance to pay for this if it is work related.

I understand how you feel about not trusting a doctor. I ws that way with my treating work comp doctor, tried to refuse him as a treting doctor, the reasons I gave were not good enough so he ended being the treating wc doctor.

I was injured by this doctor during an exam and ended up having surgery of the cervical spine on Valentine's Day of this year.

[1171]

(04-11-2011 11:47 AM)SandyK Wrote:  

(04-11-2011 11:17 AM)1171 Wrote:  you can refuse the procedure.
the issue can be litigated before the comp court as to whether it is reasonable or not.
you will probably need a better reason then being uncomfortable.
comfort is not required for IME medical exams.

Thanks this is as I thought. I guess I'm just leery of everything. I just don't trust being put to sleep by this doctor. I'm not objecting to the test just to the physician who is doing the work.

If my insurance pays for the test will they except the reports from another doc?

that may be a way to resolve the issue; especially if they pick the alternative doctor.

[SandyK]

(04-11-2011 12:02 PM)Bummer Knees Wrote:  It will be difficult to get your personal health insurance to pay for this if it is work related.

I understand how you feel about not trusting a doctor. I ws that way with my treating work comp doctor, tried to refuse him as a treting doctor, the reasons I gave were not good enough so he ended being the treating wc doctor.

I was injured by this doctor during an exam and ended up having surgery of the cervical spine on Valentine's Day of this year.

Thanks Bummer that is what scares me. I have so many problems with my throat that I'm scared and have a really bad feeling about this particular doctor.

[freebird]

(04-11-2011 11:47 AM)SandyK Wrote:  

(04-11-2011 11:17 AM)1171 Wrote:  you can refuse the procedure.
the issue can be litigated before the comp court as to whether it is reasonable or not.
you will probably need a better reason then being uncomfortable.
comfort is not required for IME medical exams.

Thanks this is as I thought. I guess I'm just leery of everything. I just don't trust being put to sleep by this doctor. I'm not objecting to the test just to the physician who is doing the work.

If my insurance pays for the test will they except the reports from another doc?

I know I am going to get "smacked" for saying this but here it goes:
Not all WC Doctors are bad or necessarily against you. Is this WC Doctor a specialist in this field? I bet he/she is and I would also bet he/she has many patient's who are not a part of a WC Claim.

Refusing this procedure is your right but you could also cause your weekly checks and benefits to be cutoff.

Is this IME ordered by the state because of dispute between Doctor's opinions or is this the 1st WC exam in this area?

I went to several specialist, several IME's and do believe some were WC ho dogs but I never refused and I currently continue to have all my benefits after 8 years in the system.

Be careful; you do have rights but the WC system does also and they have a longggggggg arm.