Q – What is the IWAP Point of Injury Addiction Prevention Program?
– A FREE Program provided by the Injured Workers Advocacy Program, (IWAP) a non-profit, 501c3 organization that advocates on behalf of and provides FREE programs and services to workers suffering from work related injuries.
Q – What is the IWAP Point of Injury Addiction Prevention Program Comprised of?
A – (IWAP) “Organized” Medical Providers Network – The Injured Workers Advocacy Program (IWAP) is comprised of a network volunteer advocates, medical professionals and facilities, specializing in the advocacy and treatment of injured workers for the purpose of helping workers suffering from work related injuries secure necessary treatment and injury benefits.
A – Addiction Prevention Campaign – A network of quality medical professionals who advocate for safe treatment methods related to Addiction Prevention in order to stop the cycle of addiction incurred by injured workers suffering from both acute and chronic injuries.
1) Report your injury to your employer/supervisor as well as your job safety officer/steward
2) At the same time you notify your employer/about your injury, You should immediately call the Injured Workers Priority Care Network Intake Line at: 800-715-0542 for advocacy support and to schedule a priority same day appointment with one of our network doctors in order to acquire a comprehensive injury examination, an accurate injury diagnosis and a complete injury report documenting the full scope of your injury(s) at the time of your injury from a doctor that has your best interests in mind. All very important factors in acquiring and maintaining your injury benefits and treatment.
3) Additionally, as required by the Pa. Workers Compensation Act, your employer is required to have you sign a document called a panel acknowledgement when you are hired and is also required to provide you with a list of 6 panel providers including 3 physicians. If the employer has not met these requirements, you are not required to treat with their doctor. If the employer has met these requirements, you must visit and treat with the employer’s panel physician through the first 90 days after your injury. Note: Often Employers do not meet these requirements.
4) In case of life threatening injury, call 911.
Q – Can you choose your own doctor for examinations and treatment whenever you want during the first 90 days after injury?
A – YES, unless otherwise stated in your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement, you are able to treat with and be examined by your own doctor from day one of your injury through the first 90 days of injury and beyond.
Q – Why is it important to schedule an injury exam as soon after a work injury as possible with your own choice of experienced independent injured workers doctor?
A – It is estimated that up to 75% of all injured workers get their workers compensation benefits denied or disputed prior to them recovering from their work injury. This often occurs because the injured worker often has no accurate injury diagnosis, documentation or diagnostics documenting their injury(s).
Q – Can you treat simultaneously with both the employers panel doctor and your own doctor during the first 90 days after injury if you feel the need to do so?
Q – At what point can I treat exclusively with your own doctor and not have to treat with the employer’s panel doctor if you feel they are not helping you?
Q – Can You get in trouble for visiting your own doctor?
A – No, unless your organization has an alternative plan that stipulates as such, there are no designated penalties for treating with your own doctor. In fact many workers compensation attorneys encourage their injured worker clients to treat with their own doctors so they can get a quality injury exam and treatment from a doctor that cares about their well being and who is not a panel doctor getting paid by the insurance company.
Q – If I am suffering from a life threatening injury or medical emergency, should I call the Injured Workers Priority Care Network immediately upon suffering the related injury?
Q – Does IWAP or PhillyLabor own or get paid by the medical providers in the network?
A – NO, neither Phillylabor nor IWAP has a vested interest in any medical provider participating in the network.
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Q – Are there any out of pocket costs for injured workers receiving medical treatment and services provided by the doctors/providers in the Network for Work Related Injuries?
A – NO, all network providers invoice the workers compensation carrier for treatment and services rendered for work related Injuries.
Q – When should you call the Injured Workers Network to make an appointment to see your own doctor?
A – Immediately upon being injured
Q – Do I need to notify or seek permission from my employer, workers compensation carrier, case worker or panel doctor to visit a doctor/medical provider in the Injured Workers Network for an exam or treatment?
A – No, it’s a labor organized network and program of specialists experienced in the treatment of work related injuries.
Q – Are there Attorneys in the Network?
Q – How does the Injured Workers Priority Care Network decide on which doctors to offer to injured workers to choose to visit?
Q – Can I research the doctors/medical providers in the network for their credentials, experience and reputations as a medical professional prior to visiting them for an exam or treatment?
A – Yes, we encourage all workers to ask questions and do your due diligence so you are confident in your choice of network provider.
Program Eligibility: Who may participate in the program?
Q – Who is eligible for the program?
A – All Pa. workers and their family members suffering from job related injuries that occurred in Pa.
Q – Is the program for work injuries that occur only in Pa.?
A – Yes, At this time the program is specifically for workers injured while working in Pa.
Q – Can I Live in another state and use the program?
A – Yes, if the work injury occurred in Pa. you may utilize the network
Q – Does it matter if I got injured working in Pa but the company I worked for is located in another state?
A – No, if you got injured in Pa. it does not matter where the company’s home office is
Q – What is the Family Benefit? Can Family members utilize the program?
PhillyLabor, LLC nor the Injured Workers Advocacy Program are law firms, and thus the above information is available only as a basic guideline for Pa. related work injuries. Please contact your attorney when seeking legal advice or whenever you have a question related to the above information.Additionally some employers or employees may have terms in their employer’s contract or their collective bargaining agreement that may affect protocols for injured workers. Please contact your attorney for details.If you have a question or need information that is not covered in our FAQ, call us at 800-715-0452 or email us at joedoc3@gmail.com
