This is the answer to a commonly asked question I get from my workers comp clients and I\u2019m going to do my best to summarize this important part of the workers comp system in California.<\/p>\n
If your employee gets injured, he or she must be treated in a facility within the network.\u00a0 It works like this: if your employee gets injured, you take him (or he can drive himself) to a facility that is a part of the MPN that your workers comp insurance company has designated.\u00a0 This is what you would do unless\u00a0it\u2019s an emergency that requires a trip to an ER.\u00a0 In that case, call 911!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s actually that simple.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to do anything to get set up with an MPN.\u00a0 When you sign up with a workers comp insurance company, you agree to\u00a0use the facilities in their MPN.<\/p>\n You may ask: is the network any good? \u00a0What if I don’t like their MPN?\u00a0 What if my employees want to use their own doctor?\u00a0 These are great questions\u00a0and here’s my answer:<\/p>\n Your employee may in fact opt out of using the assigned MPN.<\/strong> This option is only available however if your employee completes a Predesignation Form before getting injured. Where do you get a Predesignation Form?\u00a0 Your workers comp company will send you one when you sign up with them.\u00a0 It’s a one page form, but requires a little legwork to get it complete: both your employee and the employee\u2019s doctor must agree to the arrangement and sign the form.<\/p>\n As far as the quality of the MPN goes; they are generally very good. \u00a0They\u2019re approved and regulated by the state of CA and they\u2019re comprised of qualified, licensed doctors, hospitals, and other health professionals whose sole or primary purpose is to treat workplace injuries.<\/p>\n There you have it \u2013 the basics on Medical Provider Networks for workers comp insurance in California.<\/p>\n