Health Care Provider Panel

The PA Workers’ Compensation Act gives employers the right to establish a list of designated health care providers. When the list is properly posted, injured workers must seek treatment for the work injury or illness with one of the designated providers for 90 days from the date of the first visit. There are some specific guidelines provided in the rules and regulations for these lists:

• Employer must provide a clearly written notice of the employee’s rights and duties
• This notice must be signed at the time of hire, whenever changes are made in the listing AND at the time of injury
• The employer may not direct the employee to any specific provider on the list
• The employee may switch from one designated provider to another
• Panel list must contain at least 6 providers, three of the six must be physicians
• Providers as defined in the act are more than just physicians
• Each provider’s name, address, telephone and specialty must be on the list
• Listed providers must be geographically accessible
• Listed providers must contain specialties appropriate for the anticipated work-related medical problems of employees
• If a particular specialty is not on the list, and the employee feels a need for this specialty, the employee will be allowed to treat with a health care provider outside the designated list as long as treatment is reasonable and necessary
• If employer’s list of designated providers fails to comport with the act and the regulations, the employee has the right to treat with a provider of their choice.