Navigating work-related injuries can be challenging. In Kansas and Missouri, the direction of care for work-related injuries is legally under the employer’s authority. This means that when an employee is injured on the job, the employer often directs the team member to a specific provider or works with insurance companies, third-party administrators, attorneys or nurse case managers to manage care.
Choosing the right provider is critical. Studies show that the provider selected can dramatically impact outcomes for patients and stakeholders. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a provider:
1. Expertise
Providers can train and practice in a variety of settings, shaping the skills they bring to patient care. At KCOA, our physicians have specialized training in the areas they treat and receive ongoing education in workers’ compensation case management.
Signs of expertise in workers’ compensation care include:
- Board certification and fellowship training
- Specialty certifications
- Experience in treating the specific injury or diagnosis
- Significant annual case volume in treating work-related injuries
- Participation in workers’ compensation educational programs
2. Communication
Excellent physicians combine clinical skill with the ability to communicate clearly with patients and stakeholders to build trust. At KCOA, we emphasize:
- Listening and asking meaningful questions
- Relaying information in a digestible format
- Creating buy-in and accountability for treatment plans
Trust fosters honesty, compliance and the best possible outcomes.
3. Access
The sooner an injury can be evaluated and treated by an experienced provider, the better the outcome. Delays can increase anxiety, complicate compensability decisions and reduce the
effectiveness of interventions. With over 60 providers across eight locations, KCOA offers timely access to experts close to where injured employees live and work.
4. Understanding the Process
While treating a work-related injury is similar to treating a non-work injury in many ways, workers’ compensation cases have added complexity. KCOA providers:
- Receive regular updates on relevant laws in Kansas and Missouri
- Provide timely care and communication to ensure cases move forward
- Order diagnostics and ancillary services, including physical and occupational therapy when appropriate, to support accurate diagnosis and expedite recovery
- Support light-duty programs and normal daily routines to aid recovery
- Recognize when maximum medical improvement is reached and assist in case closure
5. Outcomes
Workers’ compensation outcomes depend on multiple factors, including:
- Injury mechanism and severity
- Delivering appropriate care at the right time
- Communication and collaboration with the patient and stakeholders
- Patient engagement and trust
- Clinical skill and expertise leading to successful case management
- Decision-making centered around the goal of return-to-work
- The actual achievement of return-to-work for patients
The goal of any intervention for a work-related injury is safe and efficient return-to-work. When this isn’t possible, achieving maximum medical improvement and facilitating case settlement or closure can be a winning outcome. A capable, engaged provider helps guide the entire process — from injury evaluation to treatment decisions to optimizing outcomes.
KCOA providers are ready to be your expert resource. We help navigate the injury evaluation, management and return-to-work process to help achieve the best outcomes for patients and stakeholders. For more information, click here to contact our workers’ compensation team.
