Yes. According to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, if your employer has not posted a list of medical providers you may select the doctor of your choice. If your employer has posted a list of at least six health-care providers in the workplace and the employer accepts your claim, Pennsylvania workers’ compensation regulations require you to receive your initial treatment from a doctor on the list if you want workers’ compensation to cover the medical expenses. You must receive treatment from an employer-posted doctor, or a combination of doctors from the list, for ninety days from the date of your first visit.
If the doctor recommends invasive medical treatment, you are allowed to seek a second opinion with a surgeon of your choice at the expense of the employer or the insurer.
After ninety days, you may select a new doctor, one not included on the employer’s list.
For other exceptions to the need to treat with company doctors, see Tip of the Day: The Role of Company Doctors.
