Understanding Hospital Bills After a Compensable Workers’ Compensation Claim

Receiving Hospital Bills After Treatment for a Compensable Claim

Often, when someone is injured at work, the first medical treatment occurs at a local hospital. The duration of this initial care can range from a few hours to several days, weeks, or even longer, depending on the severity of the injuries. A common question faced by both injured workers and hospitals is: who is responsible for paying the medical bill?

If a case is deemed compensable under workers’ compensation, the responsibility for payment falls on the employer or the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. However, even after the insurance carrier notifies the healthcare provider that the patient is not personally responsible for the charges, injured workers may still receive bills. This raises concerns and confusion about payment obligations.

Florida Law on Medical Billing for Work Injuries

According to Florida law, injured workers are not liable for the cost of medical care provided under the workers’ compensation statute. The Florida Legislature has implemented strong protections to shield injured employees from being billed in these circumstances. In 1983, the legislature enacted a statute specifying that healthcare providers or facilities offering services under this law must be paid solely by the employer or its insurance carrier, except in cases where third parties are found liable. The statute was further clarified in 1990 to state explicitly that the employee is not responsible for payment for such treatment or services.

Challenges Faced by Injured Workers

Despite these legal protections, it is unfortunately common for injured workers to receive bills for hospital treatment. These bills may come directly from healthcare providers or from collection agencies. This practice adds to the stress and hardship experienced by those recovering from work-related injuries, especially when the injury impacts their ability to work or manage day-to-day expenses. If a bill is sent to collections, the injured worker’s credit can be negatively affected.

Unrepresented claimants may not realize they should not be billed. As a result, they may pay the bill out of pocket or take no action, which can lead to ongoing credit issues and financial difficulties.

Advocacy and Support for Injured Workers

Over the course of Mr. Masnikoff’s twenty-seven-year career, he has witnessed many cases where injured workers were wrongfully billed for medical care related to their workers’ compensation claims. The firm works diligently to ensure that clients’ medical bills are paid promptly. If a provider sends bills for a compensable claim, the firm collaborates with partner attorneys to pursue the provider and any collection agencies involved. The goal is to have the medical bills paid and to address any resulting credit impacts.

The firm is committed to ensuring that injured workers receive the medical and wage benefits they are entitled to under the law, allowing them to return to gainful employment. If you or someone you know has questions about what to do after a workplace injury do not hesitate to call for a free consultation. The firm practices throughout Florida and can be reached at (561) 598-7122(561) 598-7122.