By: Michael J. McConnell – Yonkers Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Finding a workers’ compensation doctor in Yonkers is one of the most important steps for an injured worker. Not only will timely and proper medical care help them recover from their injury, but documentation is also necessary to get temporary disability payments for lost wages.
Yet often injured workers are not sure how to find the correct doctor. In this article, Yonkers workers’ compensation lawyer Michael J. McConnell will cover the basic steps in finding a qualified workers’ compensation doctor in Yonkers or elsewhere in New York.
As always, the information that follows is solely for informational and educational purposes. It is not legal advice. Workers’ compensation lawyers offer free consultations, so it is recommended that you contact one immediately if you need answers related to your case.
You can contact the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell right now for a free consultation.
Medical Treatment for Work Accidents in Yonkers are Covered at Zero Cost to Injured Workers
First and foremost, it is important for injured workers to know that medical treatment is free for an established workers’ compensation claim.
This means that they do not have to pay out of pocket costs or copays for doctor’s visits, physical therapy, injections, surgery, prescription medication, or anything else that is necessary as part of their claim. All of the costs will be paid for by the insurance company handling the claim.
Injured Workers in New York Generally Have the Right to Choose the Doctor of their Choice on a Workers’ Compensation Claim
In general, if you are hurt on the job in New York, you can see the doctor of your choice so long as they are authorized by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) to treat injured workers.
Of course, in an emergency situation, a medical practitioner not certified by the Board can also treat an injured worker. So if an employee has a work accident, they can get immediate medical treatment without having to worry about whether the provider is WCB certified.
One exception to the general rule that injured workers can choose their own doctor is if the insurance company managing the claim or a self-insured employer uses a network of providers called a “Preferred Provider Organization” (PPO).
In that situation, if the insurance carrier or employer uses the PPO, they must notify the worker in writing about it. If they do that, the worker will be required to see providers from the PPO for at least 30 days from the first day they sought medical care.
After those 30 days are up, however, the injured worker can then go to any provider outside of the PPO so long as they are authorized by the WCB.
How to Find the Right Workers’ Compensation Doctor Near Yonkers
Finding the correct doctor for a work-related injury generally requires answers to the following questions:
- What type of doctor do I need to go to?
- Do they accept workers’ comp patients? Are they authorized by the WCB?
- What is their availability? How soon can I get in for an appointment?
Determining What Type of Doctor is Needed to Treat a Work Injury
Different types of doctors deal with different types of injuries and conditions. It is essential to rely on the advice and referrals of a qualified medical professional to figure out what type of doctor to go to for your injury.
Typically an injured worker will have sought immediate medical care at an emergency room, hospital, urgent care, or maybe their primary care provider (PCP) after the injury. In those situations, usually the provider who first saw the injured worker will give them a note telling them which type of doctor or specialist to follow up with.
For example, let’s say we have a nurse who injures her back while assisting a patient and that she goes to urgent care on the date of the accident. The urgent care facility might refer her to any one of the following types of doctors since they commonly treat back injuries: orthopedist, neurologist, or a chiropractor.
If an injured worker was not told what type of doctor to follow up with or has not yet sought medical treatment, it is generally best for them to ask their primary care doctor for a recommendation or referral.
Additionally, for some injuries it may be necessary to see multiple doctors from different specialties. In the example I gave above with the nurse who hurt her back, it is possible that she will need to see both an orthopedist and a neurologist. If so, workers’ compensation will generally cover the expenses related to both.
It is Important to Check with the Doctor that they are Authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board
Once an injured worker identifies a doctor they would like to see, the next step is to call their office.
It is often best practice to tell the doctor’s office prior to scheduling the appointment something along the lines of this: “I have a workers’ compensation injury and am looking for a doctor. Is the doctor certified by the Workers’ Compensation Board to treat injured workers in New York and does the office accept workers’ compensation patients?”
If the answer to that is yes and the injured worker wants to see this doctor, they can generally proceed with scheduling the appointment at that point. If the answer is no, they need to contact another doctor and ask the same thing.
Appointment Availability is Important: The Sooner the Better
Generally speaking, it is essential to get proper care as soon as possible. If you have to wait many weeks or a few months to see a particular doctor, that can cause delays in getting necessary treatment such as physical therapy or undergoing a diagnostic test like an MRI.
Additionally, if the first facility the injured worker went to was an urgent care or emergency room, they may not have supplied clear information on work ability. So if the worker is out of work from the injury, it can often be crucial to get clear medical documentation justifying an absence from work from a qualified doctor as soon as possible after that.
Without such documentation, the insurance company might decide that they are not going to pay compensation for lost wages. And even if they do make payments, they might not pay at the maximum rate available to the injured worker based on their circumstances.
This is why it is often best for workers to see the type of specialist they were referred to as soon as possible. As I have said elsewhere, clear medical documentation is often the key to success in New York workers’ compensation.
Search Tool for Finding a Doctor
The WCB has a tool that helps injured employees find a doctor, which can be found here. Please know that the search results are not recommendations and you should always rely on the advice of any referring medical professionals in determining which doctor to go to.
Conclusion: Finding the Appropriate Workers’ Comp Doctor in Yonkers is Essential for a Successful Claim
New Yorkers hurt on the job can generally see the doctor of their choice, but the doctor must be authorized by the WCB unless it is an emergency. A referral from an urgent care, emergency room, or PCP is often the best way to identify which type of specialist to see. Getting an appointment sooner rather than later can also go a long way in setting a claim up for success.
If you have additional questions about the process, please contact Yonkers workers’ compensation attorney Michael J. McConnell for a free consultation.
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Last updated 4/16/25 by attorney Michael J. McConnell.