When is a Treatment Plan Not Required for Cervical and Lumbar Spinal Injuries in Hawaii?

Do You Know the Rule?

Let's say a worker sustains a cervical or lumbar spine injury on the job in the Aloha State? Would she need a treatment plan under the state's workers' compensation law? No, but there are some conditions, as follows.

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No Treatment Plan Needed

During the first 60 days after an injury, an employee may obtain the following medical care or services without a treatment plan:

(1) One magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine if the employee's attending physician determines that:

(A) The employee has objective indicia of radicular symptoms and the radicular symptoms reasonably could be caused by injury to the cervical spine; or

(B) The employee has objective traumatic injury or other neurologic symptoms to the cervical spine shown by an x-ray or computed tomography scan;

(2) One magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine if the employee's attending physician determines that:

(A) The employee has objective indicia of radicular symptoms and the radicular symptoms reasonably could be caused by injury to the lumbar spine; or

(B) The employee has objective traumatic injury or other neurologic symptoms to the lumbar spine shown by an x-ray or computed tomography scan; and

(3) One consultation with an orthopedic or neurologic specialist if the employee's attending physician reasonably determines that the opinion or advice of an orthopedic or neurologic specialist should be obtained for the evaluation and treatment of the employee's injury; provided that:

(A) The orthopedic or neurologic specialist shall provide written notice of the consultation to the employer within seven days of the consultation; and

(B) The orthopedic or neurologic specialist shall provide a written report to the employer within 14 days of the consultation.

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