Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Use Worker's Comp or Health Insurance ?
Old 03-04-2012, 10:32 AM   #1
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
John Galt III's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,782
Use Worker's Comp or Health Insurance ?

I have a recurring soreness, with numbness and tingling, in my upper back between the spine and the left shoulder blade. I think it is caused by my job. I am trying to decide if I want to report it to my employer as an on the job injury, and use worker's comp to get it checked out and possibly treated, or just use my regular health insurance. I'm also wondering what the ramifications will be for future treatment of this soreness, if I retire or get laid off before medicare, and get cobra, and then private health insurance. I'm 57 now. I am hoping that worker's comp would still cover it, after I retire, separate from any health insurance I would have, and by using worker's comp, would also have no deductibles, copays or exclusions to worry about. Thanks for any input.
John Galt III is online now   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 03-04-2012, 08:15 PM   #2
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 702
I had a work related claim years ago and filed workman's comp. They paid for everything including 2 weeks in the hospital and doctor visits for several years.

I think that you have to go to their doctor at least initially. I was able to transfer to a specialist of my choice after the first visit.
FreeAtLast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2012, 10:00 AM   #3
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Midpack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 21,206
Like FreeAtLast noted, it's not entirely your choice. A doctor has to diagnose your case, especially since it's not an obvious workplace injury. Why wouldn't you talk to your employer about it? When I was an employer, if it was clearly an injury caused in the workplace, we wouldn't try to steer an employee away from Workers Comp. Why? And the employee was covered with health insurance if it wasn't Workers Comp. I must be missing what you're getting at...
__________________
No one agrees with other people's opinions; they merely agree with their own opinions -- expressed by somebody else. Sydney Tremayne
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57

Target AA: 50% equity funds / 45% bonds / 5% cash
Target WR: Approx 1.5% Approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
Midpack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2012, 11:39 AM   #4
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
John Galt III's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,782
Quote:
Originally Posted by Midpack View Post
Like FreeAtLast noted, it's not entirely your choice. A doctor has to diagnose your case, especially since it's not an obvious workplace injury. Why wouldn't you talk to your employer about it? When I was an employer, if it was clearly an injury caused in the workplace, we wouldn't try to steer an employee away from Workers Comp. Why? And the employee was covered with health insurance if it wasn't Workers Comp. I must be missing what you're getting at...
Thanks for replying, Midpack.

When applying for jobs, there is often a question asking if you have ever filed a worker's comp claim. I've heard that employers try to avoid hiring anyone who has done so. I also have heard that worker's comp claims cost the employer more than a health insurance claim, and that people who get injured often, and use workers comp, end up getting fired. May not be true, but it's what I've heard.

But I've also heard of many people using worker's comp and having good results, keeping the current job, and having no problems getting hired somewhere else later. I suppose I'm just being cautious.

One big benefit from having a condition deemed work-related would be the ability to get treatment for the condition paid for 100 %, no copays or deductibles, by workers comp even after leaving the employer. And I would suppose this would be an expense to the employer, through increased wc premiums.
John Galt III is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2012, 11:47 AM   #5
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Midpack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 21,206
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Galt III View Post
When applying for jobs, there is often a question asking if you have ever filed a worker's comp claim. I've heard that employers try to avoid hiring anyone who has done so. I also have heard that worker's comp claims cost the employer more than a health insurance claim, and that people who get injured often, and use workers comp, end up getting fired. May not be true, but it's what I've heard.
Having hired hundreds of people, I can tell you that would be illegal. If you're asked, you don't want to work at that employer IMO, and I'd encourage you to turn them in. From the EEOC website...
Quote:
9. What are examples of questions that an employer cannot ask on an application or during an interview?

Examples of prohibited questions during the pre-offer period include:

Do you have a heart condition? Do you have asthma or any other difficulties breathing?
Do you have a disability which would interfere with your ability to perform the job?
How many days were you sick last year?
Have you ever filed for workers' compensation? Have you ever been injured on the job?
Have you ever been treated for mental health problems?
What prescription drugs are you currently taking?
http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/jobapplicant.html
__________________
No one agrees with other people's opinions; they merely agree with their own opinions -- expressed by somebody else. Sydney Tremayne
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57

Target AA: 50% equity funds / 45% bonds / 5% cash
Target WR: Approx 1.5% Approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
Midpack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2012, 01:39 PM   #6
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 213
talk to your employer then go see a doctor. You may have to see a specific MD depending on your state or employer. You may be able to see anyyone. There is probably a state website you could look at to tell you the rules. Tell the doctor exactly why you think it could be workers comp and let him decide.
Be prepared to be examined by a workers comp MD, and from my experience did a cursory examination then did a very long report that included much that he did not do. I had a minor injury that resolved himself but the whole experience was sickening. Also, be aware that workers comp may try not to pay, may make you go to court and may even do surveillance to determine if your reports of pain or loss of function are accurate.

Why do you think that so many attorneys are on TV and advertising all over to use their services?

However if it truly is workers comp and truly is an injury then you should do the right thing and report it as workers comp.
52andout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2012, 05:48 PM   #7
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 374
Quote:
Originally Posted by Midpack View Post
Having hired hundreds of people, I can tell you that would be illegal. If you're asked, you don't want to work at that employer IMO, and I'd encourage you to turn them in. From the EEOC website...
Job Applicants and the Americans With Disabilities Act
There is no shortage of companies who provide "background checks" for employers which include information on workman's comp claims.
FinanceGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2012, 06:34 PM   #8
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 702
It is best to let your employer know what is going on and proceed with the workman's comp claim. Your employer will then know that it might not be possible for you to do some of the activities of your job such as bending and lifting for a period of time.

They will also understand that you are injured and are not slacking off on the job if you can't work as fast or can't perform everything that is required.
FreeAtLast is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
credit monitoring or credit lock? BillNOVA FIRE and Money 18 03-20-2014 02:51 PM
Hire expensive private driver or wing it a Travel Information 46 03-30-2012 06:02 PM
tax deduction for retiree health ins premiums katste12 Health and Early Retirement 9 03-06-2012 04:28 PM
Just received health insurance increase for 2012 fisherman Health and Early Retirement 11 03-04-2012 02:04 PM
Health Deductible Recomendation fisherman Health and Early Retirement 3 03-04-2012 05:11 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:14 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.