Monast Law Office - January 2020

My Workers’ Comp Doctor Isn’t Helping Me! CAN I GET A NEW DOCTOR?

When you see a doctor, their first priority should be your care, regardless of the circumstances that brought you to their office. Whether you’re visiting your family doctor for a wellness exam or a cardiologist after a heart attack, there should be no question that your doctor is looking out for you. Unfortunately, after filing for workers’ compensation, it’s not uncommon for patients to feel like their physician is looking out for someone else. In Ohio, the doctor you see for your initial evaluation after a workplace injury must be a Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)-approved doctor. The physician need not work for the BWC, but you must choose from a list of doctors approved by the BWC to handle workers’ comp claims. These doctors are expected to provide workers’ comp patients the same level of medical care they would give any other patient.

Besides helping their patients recover, a workers’ comp doctor may also be called on to make judgments about the cause of the individual’s injury and the patient’s readiness to return to work. This is where we can see conflict. Employers and insurance companies have been known to pressure doctors to support a claim denial or release a patient back to work before they’re ready. Some doctors may even be on an insurance company’s payroll and be more inclined to make decisions that would benefit the insurance company or employer. While not all employers will use this tactic, be wary if your employer refers you to a particular medical practice, in-house medical dispensary, or local “work health center” for treatment. The BWC allows injured workers to switch doctors, but they have to follow rules: You can only have one physician of record at a time, you must submit a change form, and you must pay for care yourself if you switch to a doctor who isn’t BWC-certified. Getting the right care is a crucial step for workers to recover from their injuries. Monast Law is dedicated to making sure workers can see the right doctors. If you’re not getting the appropriate care you need from your current workers’ comp doctor, call 614-334-4649 immediately. We can help you switch doctors and recommend great doctors to help on your workers’ comp journey. Not happy with your current doctor? You can get a new one!

A traditional New Year’s favorite in the South, Hoppin’ John includes black-eyed peas that are said to represent coins, a sign of prosperity for the coming year. It’s usually served alongside collard greens, which represent cash. HOPPIN’ JOHN NIBBLES WITH NUG

MEET LEGAL ASSISTANT VICKI MATTHEWS Vicki Matthews, legal assistant at Monast LawOffice, has extensive workers’

compensation experience not only in Ohio but also in Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and NewYork. Vicki’s 29 years in the

field have been varied, initially working as a workers’comp benefits administrator for self-insured employers inToledo and Columbus. She then represented employers on behalf of third party administrators (TPAs) before finally donning the white hat and helping injured workers. Having worked both sides, she knows how to get things done. At Monast Law, she is responsible for communication with clients, physician’s offices, MCOs, TPAs, BWC, and the Industrial Commission. She assists with new client interviews and paperwork and pursues evidence necessary to advance claims for disability andmedical treatment benefits. She also assists with settlement documentation and securing Medicare and Medicaid lien information. Vicki was born and raised in Boardman, Ohio. She is a graduate of Bowling State University and also completed the American Institute of Paralegal Studies program. She likes to read in her spare time and attends Ohio State University’s women’s lacrosse games to watch her youngest niece play. Go Falcons, and go Bucks!

Inspired by Epicurious

INGREDIENTS

• • •

1 cup dried black-eyed peas

• • •

1 smoked ham hock 1 medium onion, diced 1 cup long-grain white rice

5–6 cups water

1 dried hot pepper, optional (arbol and Calabrian are great options)

DIRECTIONS

1.

Wash and sort peas.

2. In a saucepan, cover peas with water, discarding any that float. 3. Add pepper, ham hock, and onion. Gently boil and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until peas are just tender, about 90 minutes. At this point, you should have about 2 cups of liquid remaining. 4. Add rice, cover, drop heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, undisturbed. 5. Remove from heat and let steam for an additional 10 minutes, still covered. 6. Remove lid, fluff with a fork, and serve.

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614-334-4649

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