NCM closing my case

[sparkey]

I have reached MMI last week, and the occupational doc put me on Permanent restrictions. I was told it was very rare to have permanent restrictions from that doctor which is a good thing. I went to PM the other day as it was my last visit with the NCM being involved in my case. She asked the doc about my medications and how long i should be on them to make a note in my file before she closed it. Now i was told to wait and i will get something in the mail to go for an evaluation with a doctor for my rating. She said that could take months or years before they set that up.

Has anyone or can anyone tell me how long since they reached MMI that they went to the doctor for the rating? Plus after the rating what will happen? Do i have to go to court to get my award, or do they just make a decision and i can accept or not? I have no lawyer still as i have had no need for one yet. I am trying to do this on my own. It has only been 9 months since the injury and seems like everything is going so fast. Can it be that i can recieve my lump sum award that quickly? I am in NH. Thank you to all that respond.

[Pooh]

Sparkey

Most states have a 2 yr statue of limitations from the date of injury - if it's not filed in court at this time then you are barred from filling any further action against the IC at all.

I, myself was not put at MMI until after my FCE and then shortly after that the IC sent a check - but they sent a check for 10% of what they should have sent me according to the award I finally got going to hearing.

My question is this - because I have had my case closed a few times - is are you sure you will still get your medications? Once my case was closed they even stopped paying for my medications. Do you have an ombudsman that you can call in you state?

[sparkey]

When i went to my occupational doctor last week he put me at MMI cause i am now going to be working full time with permanent restrictions. My nurse case manager went to the PM clinic with me the other day and is keeping my medical and medications open for as long as i need them. She said most likely the ic will re-evaluate me in 6 months by their doctor to see if i still need medications at that time. She said that there is many people on medications for 15 yrs or so without being re-evaluated so now they need to ask the doctor up front before they close the case how long the pt. will need medication. My PM doctor said i could be using them for as long as i need them.

The NCM also told me that someone should be contacting me through mail to set up a date for a rating done by a doctor either of their choosing or the one i had for occupational that put me at permanent restrictions. She said it would depend on who the adjuster is going to want to use for this. I was just curious if anyone else knew or could tell me how long after put on MMI did they get evaluated for a rating percentage of body impairment. Just curious, and if i have to go to court or a hearing or if they just rate me and send me the reward.

Thank you pooh.

[sparkey]

I did not know it could be of my choosing. I was told by the NCM that they decide who the doctor would be. I personally would like my occupational doctor as he knows what i have been through and seems to know my conditions more than anyone else. He actually said to the nurse that he would do it. So if it is my choice i will go with him. I will find out more. Thank you for the info. I will see if i can legally get him to do it for me.