Q: how many times can you change doctors if not happy with treatment
I went to see a doctor that they picked and he wanted to do an operation to fix my wrist (tfcc tear and sprain thumb which was requiring a release) I went for a second opinion and then the first doctor agreed with the second opinion doctor and now five months later still not fixed or do I have use of my L wrist as far as lifting its too weak and my thumb is not of any use its in a weird position and I can not bend it and my wrist hurts everyday the only thing he did was send me to pt and after a month still no difference and ordered two more months of it and then return I am completely upset over this its been five months now and I am no further ahead now than when I got the injury . I'm thinking its age related and workers comp so they don't want to do anything mean while I suffer.
A: You are only required to treat from the employer's panel in PA for the first 90 days after the injury. Once the 90 days is over, you can treat with whoever you want, and you can change doctor's as frequently as you feel is appropriate. The employer/carrier does have the right to challenge whether the treatment is reasonable and necessary, and can send you for a singular exam (commonly called an IME) every 6 months to challenge causation. Obviously, you don't want to constantly change doctors since you will look like you are doctor shopping.
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