What is next?

[sparkey]

I may have asked this before, but was wondering as it is going to be two years in Jan. that I have been on wc. I am working now within my restrictions in a different line of work making more money now, so of course wc does not have to make up any difference in pay. I have been at my new job a year now.

I received my permanent impairment award in Aug. and still go monthly to PM for my medicine refills ( which my insurance co. pays for) and treatments ( wc pays for). What can I expect such as , how long will wc pay for my injury and medical bills? I just have no idea when I would ever hear from them to cut me off or offer me any money to close out my account if they even do that. Of course I would never settle out my medical, but I always hear people say the IC contacted them to settle their cases and it confuses me as I have never been offered anything to get me off their back.

I am in NH and would appreciate any advice on what is next. I know someone must of been in my situation before as permanent impairment and still being treated once a month, but for how long will this last? This way if I can forsee anything coming soon, I could possibly contact legal help to keep my treatments I am getting. I have gangloin blocks that the IC is paying for now.

[1171]

You ask what many have asked and will continue to ask....

my two cents:
i don't think all insurance companys and all adjusters do the same thing on every case.
I don't think there is one plan and one set of steps that all follow.
i don't think every claim is settled or closed out or every one is left open.
I don't think there is one set of rules that let's you predict which case will be settled and which won't.
I think many try to find a pattern in the events that take over their lives after an injury.
Trying to find some kind of internal logic is how we try to take control or make control when we don't have control.
we can control how we respond, how we feel, and how we behave.
I'm not sure we should continue to expect more.
Be well.

[Still in Limbo]

I Agree with 1171 on this One Sparkey! Your Case could go Hundred of Different Ways, and I don't think any One Answer would be Correct. My Best Advice is to take a look Back at the Last 2 Years and How You were Treated by the i/c, and expect it to Probably Stay close to the Same, Unless Something Happens for them to Act Differently!! My Very Best to You, and I Hope they Treat You Well for Years to Come!!

[sparkey]

Thank you both for your replies. I am just curious as I have not got any better since the day I was injured and was wondering if I am going to have a limit of how long the IC will continue to keep paying for my treatments. I know every case is different, but my concern is has there been a limit to how long one can have WC pay for their medical care while healing?

My PM doctor is still seeing me monthly and trying all different types of treatments. I have a few more gangloin injections scheduled and just went for another cortisone shot from the ortho surgeon. I just do not know if one day I will automatically start getting the bills because of a 2 yr. limit on WC or 5 yr. limit. I do not know what lies ahead such as maybe needing a lawyer to keep continueing my medical bills down the road if there is a time limit and I need to continue. I have not had any need to get one as they have been very cooperative, and only fought my PIR rating and medication payments.

I know it is difficult to know what lies ahead, and my insurance co. and adjuster have been wonderful throughout my whole injury. I cannot complain. Especially this new adjuster reimburses me right away for my mileage to and from the doctors in a few days. So thank you for your answers and I will just live day to day doing what I can to get myself pain free or at least comfortable to live with it. Thank you both.

[Still in Limbo]

Sparkey, if You go to Your States Website for Workers Compensation, You should be able to Find if there is a Time Limit for any Case, and how Long they are required to Treat You. I know in My State, I will be Treated for Life Unless it is Proven that I am 100% Healed or as Good as I'm going to get, and able to Return to the Workforce with or without Restrictions. If I'm Found to be at MMI, and able to Work at Some Level, the i/c can do a Labor Market Survey and find Jobs that would Fall within My Restrictions, and Arrive at a Dollar Amount, and if the Judge Agrees with the i/c, I would only have 500 Weeks Left at the Lowered Rate, because they would Deduct the Amount they Feel I could Make, and Pay Me the Difference. But the Medical Portion Remains Open For Life, unless I Settle and Close the Medical, or I Miss Dr. Appts. Over a Period of Time. That's just a Small Part of what can be Done to Me in My State, so as You can See no One Answer is going to be Correct to give You, You are going to have to Research Your State Laws to See where You Stand! Always My Best, and Have a Great Day!!

[sparkey]

Thank you Still. I have read over the site many many times and still have not found out what happens after I received my PIR award and continue to go for treatments. I know I can call the state, but thought I would ask here first.

Thank you for your time ,and I will contact the wc advocate I was assigned to when my injury first happened. She should be able to give me the information. Hope you are well.

[kate]

sparkey Wrote:Thank you Still. I have read over the site many many times and still have not found out what happens after I received my PIR award and continue to go for treatments. I know I can call the state, but thought I would ask here first.

Thank you for your time ,and I will contact the wc advocate I was assigned to when my injury first happened. She should be able to give me the information. Hope you are well.

According to the NH website "Medical bills related to your injury remain the responsibility of the carrier as long as treatment is required."

Also, A permanent impairment award, which is under RSA 281-A:32 of the New Hampshire Workers' Compensation statute, is an award for the percentage of permanent loss of use to a compensable body part. Compensable body parts are listed in the statute giving the total number of weeks allowed. The award is a separate and distinct benefit and is in addition to any other benefit being paid such as weekly compensation, medical benefits and vocational rehabilitation.

Does this help answer your question?

[sparkey]

Yes Kate, thank you : )