Work Injuries: Choosing Your Attending Physician in Oregon

The term "Attending Physician" (AP) is official terminology in the Oregon Workers' Compensation system. The AP is the medical provider who is primarily responsible for managing your medical care. Think of them as the central hub for all the medical aspects of your claim. 

Their critical responsibilities include:

• Diagnosing and Treating Your Injury: Performing a thorough examination to determine the precise nature of your injury, and then developing and providing a comprehensive treatment plan to help you heal.
• Managing Your Claim Paperwork: Submitting the initial claim forms (like the medical portion of Form 801), progress reports, and all other necessary documentation to the insurance company accurately and on time.
• Determining Your Work Status: This is a crucial role. Your AP decides if you are medically cleared to be off work entirely, if you can return to work with specific restrictions (often called "light duty" or "modified duty"), or if you are ready to return to your regular job.
• Communicating with All Parties: the AP serves as the main point of contact for the insurance adjuster and your employer regarding your medical condition, treatment plan, and work status.
• Making Referrals: If your injury requires the opinion of another specialist, such as an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist, your Attending Physician is the one who makes that referral. 

As you can see, this role goes far beyond just providing treatment. Your choice of Attending Physician directly impacts how your claim is managed and the quality of care you receive.

Here is the single most empowering fact for injured workers in Oregon: You have the right to choose your own Attending Physician.

A common misconception is that you must see the "company doctor" or go to an industrial clinic chosen by your employer. While your employer can ask you to see a specific doctor for an initial evaluation, you are not obliged to continue your treatment with them.

Oregon law allows you to choose an Attending Physician from approved provider types. This includes:

• Medical doctors (MD)
• Doctors of Osteopathy (DO)
• Doctors of Chiropractic (DC)
• Other specialists

This right to choose is a powerful tool. It allows you to select a provider whom you trust, who specializes in your type of injury, and who you believe has your best interests at heart.

When your injury involves your muscles, joints, or spine- which covers the vast majority of workplace injuries- choosing a Doctor of Chiropractic as your Attending Physician offers several distinct advantages.

1. Experts in Musculoskeletal Health: Aches and pains from lifting, repetitive motions, slips, and falls are squarely in our area of expertise. We are specialists in the biomechanics of the human body. While a general practitioner is an expert in a wide range of general health issues, we spend every single day diagnosing and treating conditions of the spine, neck, shoulders, hips, knees, and wrists. We understand the specific stresses that work activities place on the body, and how to treat the resulting injuries effectively.
2. A Focus on Functional Recovery, Not Just Medication: Our primary goal is to restore your body's function and help you heal, not just to mask your symptoms with pain medication. Our treatment philosophy is centered on drug-free, non-invasive care that includes:

- Specific Adjustments: To restore proper motion to joints in the spine and extremities.

- Massage Therapy: To release muscle tension, reduce scar tissue, and improve circulation.

- Rehabilitative Exercise: To strengthen the supporting muscles and prevent re-injury.

This comprehensive approach helps you get better and gives you the tools to stay better after you return to work.

    3. Deep Experience with the Workers' Comp. System: For a medical office that doesn't regularly handle work injury claims, the Oregon Workers' Compensation system can be a bureaucratic nightmare. At Accident and Wellness Chiropractic, it's a core part of what we do. We know the paperwork, the deadlines, the terminology, and the people. We understand how to write effective reports and communicate clearly with claims adjusters to ensure your claim is managed efficiently. This experience removes a massive weight from your shoulders.

When you choose Accident and Wellness Chiropractic to manage your work injury claim, you are choosing a partner. We understand that you're dealing with more than just a physical injury; you're dealing with stress, anxiety, and a disruption to your life. Our commitment is to manage the complexities of the system so you can focus all your energy on recovery.

The choice of your potential Attending Physician (AP) is a critical first step. For a complete overview of the other steps in the process, you can read our full 5-Step Guide to navigating a work injury here.

Don't Give Up Your Most Important Right!

Your choice of AP will shape your entire recovery experience. Don't let anyone tell you that you don't have a say in the matter. You have the right to choose an expert who understands your injury and knows the system. 

If you have been injured at work in the SE Portland area, we are here to help.

Call Accident and Wellness Chiropractic today at (503)206-8863 to schedule a future consultation, and learn how we can become your partner in recovery.