Ohio Administrative Code
Title 4123 - Bureau of Workers' Compensation
Chapter 4123-6 - Health Partnership Program
Section 4123-6-06.2 - Injured worker access to the HPP - injured worker choice of provider

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (A)(2) of this rule, an injured worker may seek medical care for a work related injury from:

(2) Except in cases of emergency, injured workers may not seek medical care for work related injuries from themselves or an immediate family member. Injured workers may not select as physician of record, themselves or an immediate family member. The MCO, bureau, employer, and industrial commission shall not reimburse treatment to injured workers delivered, rendered or directly supervised by the injured worker or an immediate family member. "Immediate family member" shall have the same meaning as in paragraph (C)(2) of rule 4123-6-02.51 of the Administrative Code.

(3) At the time of an injury, the injured worker may seek medical care directly from a provider or may seek assistance from the MCO in selecting a provider. If the employee has not already sought medical care or selected a provider, the MCO may refer the employee to a provider or list of providers. The injured worker may, but is not required to, seek medical care from that provider or providers. The MCO shall not discriminate against any category of health care provider when referring the injured worker to a provider.

(4) If the injured worker seeks medical care from a provider, the injured worker shall inform the provider of the injured worker's MCO and/or employer. The provider shall then report the work related injury in accordance with rule 4123-6-02.8 of the Administrative Code.

(5) An injured worker may continue treatment with a non-bureau certified provider under two circumstances:

(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this rule, if the injured worker's date of injury is prior to October 20, 1993 and the injured worker's physician of record is a non-bureau certified provider, the injured worker may continue treatment with that non-bureau certified provider. The employer's MCO shall manage the medical care and treatment and return to work services in the claim and shall manage medical payment for the provider. However, if the injured worker changes the physician of record for any reason, the injured worker shall select a bureau certified provider as physician of record. If the injured worker selects a physician of record who is a non-bureau certified provider, payment for the provider shall be governed by the provisions of this rule applicable to non-bureau certified providers.

(1) An injured worker of an employer that participates in a QHP has freedom of choice of providers within the QHP network of providers established by the employer's QHP. If the injured worker's date of injury is prior to the establishment of the employer's QHP, and the injured worker's physician of record is not a provider on the panel of the QHP when established, the injured worker may continue treatment with that physician of record. The physician of record shall be subject to and participate in the dispute resolution process as provided in rule 4123-6-69 of the Administrative Code. After the establishment of the QHP, the employer's QHP shall manage the medical care and treatment in the claim. If an injured worker changes from the physician of record who is not in the QHP for any reason, the injured worker shall select a QHP panel provider as the physician of record.

(2) An injured worker of an employer that participates in a QHP, who is dissatisfied with the health care services of a provider in the QHP, after written notice to the QHP, may request a change of providers and may select another provider within the QHP, or any bureau certified provider. An injured worker's request for change of provider does not require notification to the bureau, but shall contain the reasons for the request. The QHP shall approve written requests for a change of provider within the QHP, or to any bureau certified provider, within seven days of receipt

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions contained in paragraph (B)(2) of this rule, an injured worker who incurs a new medical condition, injury or claim requiring medical treatment, not related to a prior medical condition, injury or claim, shall first seek treatment from a provider on the panel of the injured worker's employer's QHP.

(4) Medical management of all injured workers' claims, whether medical services are provided within or without the QHP network of providers, shall be provided by the employer's QHP.

(5) A provider certified to participate in the HPP shall be eligible to participate in and to treat injured workers under the QHP system.

(1) In claims with a date of injury on or after November 2, 1959, Injured workers of self-insuring employers have free choice to select licensed physicians for treatment, as well as other medical services, including, but not limited to, hospital and nursing services. In claims with a date of injury prior to November 2, 1959, medical services furnished by the self-insuring employer must be utilized.

(2) Emergency treatment shall not constitute an exercise of free choice of physician.

(3) Once an injured worker of a self-insuring employer goes to a physician for treatment other than on an emergency basis, the injured worker is deemed to have made a choice of physician and the injured worker shall notify the employer of a change of physician.