MEDICAL EXPENSES UNDER MASSACHUSETTS WORKERS COMPENSATION

Workers’ compensation in Massachusetts covers all necessary and reasonable medical expenses related to a workplace injury or illness. These expenses include a wide range of treatments and services to ensure injured workers receive proper care for their recovery. Some of the primary medical expenses covered include:

• Emergency Medical Treatment – Immediate care following a workplace accident, including ambulance transportation, emergency room visits, and urgent procedures to stabilize injuries.
• Doctor Visits – Regular consultations with primary care physicians and specialists, such as orthopedists, neurologists, or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors, who oversee ongoing treatment.
• Surgical Procedures – Operations that are deemed necessary to treat injuries, such as repairing fractures, spinal surgeries, or procedures to address repetitive strain injuries.
• Prescription Medications – Medications prescribed to manage pain, reduce inflammation, prevent infection, or support long-term recovery.
• Physical and Occupational Therapy – Rehabilitation services to help injured workers regain strength, improve mobility, and restore functional independence. Occupational therapy may also focus on helping individuals adapt to any limitations caused by their injury.
• Diagnostic Tests and Imaging – Essential tests, including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and blood work, used to diagnose the severity of injuries and monitor recovery progress.
• Medical Equipment and Prosthetics – Coverage for necessary assistive devices such as braces, crutches, wheelchairs, orthopedic shoes, and prosthetic limbs for those with severe injuries.
• Chiropractic and Alternative Treatments – In some cases, workers may qualify for alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, or pain management programs, if deemed medically necessary by their treating physician.
• Home and Long-Term Care Services – Workers who suffer severe injuries that impact their ability to care for themselves may receive coverage for in-home nursing care, assisted living services, or modifications to their home environment to accommodate their condition.

These benefits continue as long as the medical treatment remains reasonable, necessary, and directly related to the workplace injury or illness. It is important to follow the recommended treatment plan and attend all medical appointments to ensure continued coverage under the workers’ compensation system.