Making the Case for an Employer-Preferred Medical Provider Relationship

How many risk management seminars have you gone to over the years that have stated that the secret to successfully managing your workers’ compensation claims cost is early intervention?

This is not a new idea for any of us who have been in this arena for very long but it still remains one of the most challenging to implement within a bureaucratic workers’ compensation system that allows an employee up to two years to report an injury and/or occupational disease. These types of claims are the ones that keep us up at night and can quickly put a small employer out of business.

Experience has taught us that there is no one strategy that will solve all the complex issues that can occur in a workers’ compensation claim.

One Logical Solution: Have you tried developing a Preferred Medical Provider relationship with a local occupational health provider?

What is a Preferred Medical Provider Relationship?

A Preferred Medical Provider relationship between an employer and a local occupational health provider establishes familiarity prior to a work related injury. The Provider is given the opportunity to understand the company, what the employees do, the demands of the jobs, the environment in which work occurs, and what is expected in managing the care of an injured worker.


The Bottom Line

The most beneficial part of the Preferred Medical Provider relationship is the establishment of a trust between the employer, the provider and the injured worker.

1. The Employer trusts that the injured worker is getting quality, appropriate care and that there will be a safe and efficient return-to-work outcome in the claim.

2. The Provider has been informed about the company and their policies and practices and is secure that there will be full support and trust in their professional position.

3. The Injured Worker trusts that they are receiving appropriate treatment and that they have the full support of their employer.

These three players have the most influence in obtaining a successful claim outcome. An important best practice is the establishment of a working relationship of all parties with the mutual goal of ‘optimum services within the optimum evidence based duration of disability time frames’. All parties benefit from this type of relationship.

For assistance in establishing your Preferred Medical Provider relationship or to discuss any part of your risk management program, please call Brandy Jordan at 614.602.8273.