Can My Employer Attend My Doctor’s Appointments in FL?

If you are injured on the job and seek medical care, you may be surprised when your employer asks for information regarding your upcoming appointment. As such, if they attend or send a workers’ compensation representative to your doctor’s appointments, understanding your rights in these situations is critical. If you’ve been put in this upsetting situation, the following blog explores what you should know about these matters, including the importance of discussing your circumstances with an experienced Florida workers’ compensation attorney.

Can My Employer or an Insurance Rep Come to My Doctor’s Appointments?

In Florida, if you are injured on the job, you must see an authorized medical provider approved by your employer’s insurance company. The only exception to this rule is if you are injured and require immediate medical care, in which case you can seek treatment at a hospital.

However, many people are unaware of their rights when it comes to their employer or their insurance company’s presence at their medical appointments. In general, your employer or an insurance representative is not allowed to accompany you to your appointment. While an employer may drive you, they cannot be physically present during your meeting with your medical provider.

Unfortunately, you’ll find that your employer or a representative may want to accompany you in the hopes of impacting the outcome of your appointment, whether it be to influence your doctor in order to clear you for certain work duties or to intimidate you into downplaying the severity of the injuries you’ve suffered. Regardless, they are not attending to monitor your health, but rather for their own benefit.

Who Can Speak to My Doctor About My Injuries?

As someone receiving medical care in Florida, you’re likely familiar with your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which serves to protect your information as a patient. However, when you file a workers’ compensation claim, your employer and the insurance company will have reasonable access to your medical information. Generally, this includes test results, disability ratings, and medications related to the injury for which you are filing a claim. Your doctor is allowed to communicate with your provider as much as necessary, and they are not required to inform you of the communications.

However, your employer or an insurance rep is prohibited from attempting to influence the outcome of your claim in any capacity, such as attempting to pressure your provider into clearing you to return to work or minimizing the severity and impact of your disability.

If you have sustained an injury while on the job, connecting with an experienced attorney with the Law Firm of Kevin A. Moore is in your best interest. Our dedicated legal team will examine your circumstances to help you in the fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn how we can help you through these difficult times.