As the high costs of workers' compensation continues to plague industry, employers are searching for ways to lower these costs and better manage workers' compensation issues. The first step employers can take is to establish a healthcare provider panel, better known as a workers' compensation panel. A panel is used to ensure that their valued employees receive appropriate, quality care and return to work in a timely manner.

It is amazing how many employers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania still are not utilizing a panel. It not only is an opportunity to more effectively track the injured employee, but it is also their right to be able to "direct" the quality of care for the employee. A workers' compensation panel consists of at least six healthcare providers, three of whom must be physicians. THE pt GROUP is able to assist employers in choosing appropriate and credentialed medical specialists, who are "return-to-work" oriented. These providers must hold a working knowledge and understanding of workers' compensation law, and be experienced in treating work injuries.

An injured employee must treat with a panel provider for the first 90 days from the first date of treatment for said injury. The insurer/employer may not be responsible for payment of treatment if the employee does not treat with a panel provider. In case of a medical emergency, when a panel provider is a not available, the injured employee may treat with a healthcare provider of his choice, to be followed up by a panel provider.

In establishing a panel, we at THE pt GROUP are able to direct the employer to physicians and other healthcare providers who are not only competent and knowledgeable, but also convenient. We can aid in finding providers who are located geographically convenient to the work facility with appropriate business hours to accommodate employees' work environment. From there, we work with the employer to establish the panel listing best suited for the needs of the employees.

THE pt GROUP is able to aid employers in reaching the goals that a healthcare provider panel should accomplish. These goals include containing the company's medical and indemnity costs, facilitating timely return to work, and most of all, ensuring that quality medical care is provided for their employees, with the anticipation of a timely return to work in pre-injury condition.