If you sustain an on-the-job injury, do you know what protocols to follow? Where should you go for assistance? Will your health insurance cover all of the medical costs – or how does that even work in this case?
For employees, especially those who are involved in physically hazardous and demanding jobs, it is important to understand the answers to these questions so that you know what to do in the event of an accident at work. A designated medical provider (DMP) can help you in this process.
What Does a Designated Medical Provider Do?
If you get injured or sick because of a workplace accident or due to the physical work environment, your employer will provide you with a list of designated medical providers who you can visit for a medical evaluation and treatment. If your first medical visit after your workplace injury was to the emergency room, your next will be to a DMP.
These professionals are familiar with the hazards that are specific to your occupation, so they are in an excellent position to manage acute injuries, hazardous exposures, and work-related illnesses. They will go over your medical records, conduct a physical examination, and order diagnostic testing if necessary. They will then discuss your diagnosis with you and craft an individualized treatment plan to help you get back to good health.
What Can a Designated Medical Provider Treat?
Some of the main types of work-related injuries that they can treat include the following:
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Repetitive-motion injuries
- Eye injuries
- Hearing injuries
- Lacerations
- Crushing injuries
- Auto and machine accidents
- Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals and irritants
They also provide ongoing care through follow-up visits. They will discuss your plans to return to work, physical activity, and work restrictions.
Promoting Occupational Health and Safety
In addition to treating injuries and illnesses, a designated medical provider may conduct surveillance to monitor any risk factors associated with your occupation for preventive care. Certain professions – such as those in farming, fishing, forestry, construction, and manufacturing – have a significant risk of occupational injury, and designated medical providers can help workers to understand and appreciate the importance of professional risk avoidance.
A designated medical provider can identify biological, chemical, and physical hazards that are specific to an occupation or a workplace, and this medical provider can find ways for employees to reduce their exposure to those risks. You might be required to go through periodic diagnostic tests to check for any work-related diseases.
Your DMP and Workers’ Compensation
A designated medical provider will also work with you as an essential point of reference when you file for workers’ compensation. Your designated medical provider will be able to officially establish whether the injury or illness is linked to your work, and whether the claim can fall under the workers’ compensation system by submitting an initial assessment.
Occupational Health Providers in Grand Junction, CO
The work of a designated medical provider doesn’t end with evaluation and treatment. At WorkPartners Occupational Health, we make sure to guide you through the entire recovery journey so that you can return to work as soon as safely possible.
Our medical team helps employees, managers, and employers navigate complex workers’ compensation laws. We balance the needs of all parties, including your insurance provider, to streamline the entire claims process so you can focus on getting better.
To schedule an appointment with one of our experienced healthcare providers, call us today at (970) 241-5585 or fill out our online request form. We look forward to helping you get back to work and back to life!
