Most workers who get hurt on the job want to get back to work as quickly as possible. After all, missing work means accepting a reduction in income. Even if the injured employee qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits, wage replacement isn’t a complete benefit. Workers only receive a portion of the wages they should have earned during their leave of absence.
They may also worry about the chilling effect that missed work may have on their career development. Some injured employees become so focused on getting back to work as quickly as possible that they set themselves up for another injury in the future.
When the treatment plan for a worker’s condition includes a recommendation for physical therapy, it is crucial that the worker follow through with proper treatment. Yet, employees may worry about physical therapy because it can take weeks to complete and can be quite costly.
How much does physical therapy cost?
The more intensive someone’s rehabilitation support needs are, the more they may have to pay for physical therapy. Most professionals charge around $100 a session, although the type of therapy required and other factors can lead to higher costs in some cases. The good news for an injured employee in Pennsylvania is that workers’ compensation covers 100% of necessary and approved treatment expenses.
What is the risk of skipping physical therapy?
There are several issues with attempting to bypass a physical therapy recommendation following a work injury. The first is the possibility of getting hurt again. Physical therapy helps people redevelop their strengths and improve their range of motion after an injury.
The physical therapist may also teach someone better body mechanics so that they can perform job tasks with less risk of injury in the future. Those who skip physical therapy may be more likely to end up injured after they go back to work.
Their benefits through workers’ compensation may also be at risk. Those who become medically non-compliant might have a hard time securing ongoing disability benefits or medical coverage if their symptoms worsen. Although physical therapy may add several weeks to someone’s recovery, following medical recommendations is usually the best option for an injured employee.
Pursuing workers’ compensation benefits can potentially help people cover their costs for physical therapy. Those who understand their coverage and the rules for workers’ compensation can potentially reduce their risk of suffering financial setbacks inspired by job-related medical issues.