DCNR Workers Comp Forms - Page 3

PENNSYLVANIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACT
SECTION 306 (f.1)(1)(i) 

The employer shall provide payment in accordance with this section for reasonable surgical and medical services, services rendered by physicians or other health care providers, including an additional opinion when invasive surgery may be necessary, medicines and supplies, as and when needed. Provided an employer establishes a list of at least six designated health care providers, no more than four of whom may be a coordinated care organization and no fewer than three of whom shall be physicians, the employee shall be required to visit one of the physicians or other health care providers so designated and shall continue to visit the same or another designated physician or health care provider for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of the first visit: provided, however, that the employer shall not include on the list a physician or other health care provider who is employed, owned or controlled by the employer or the employer’s insurer unless employment, ownership or control is disclosed on the list. Should invasive surgery for an employee be prescribed by a physician or other health care provider so designated by the employer, the employee shall be permitted to receive an additional opinion from any health care provider of the employee’s own choice. If the additional opinion differs from the opinion provided by the physician or health care provider so designated by the employer, the employee shall determine which course of treatment to follow: provided, that the second opinion provides a specific and detailed course of treatment. If the employee chooses to follow the procedures designated in the second opinion, such procedures shall be performed by one of the physicians or other health care providers so designated by the employer for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of the visit to the physician or other health care provider of the employee’s own choice. Should the employee not comply with the foregoing, the employer will be relieved from liability for the payment for the services rendered during such applicable period. It shall be the duty of the employer to provide a clearly written notification of the employee’s rights and duties under this section to the employee. The employer shall further ensure that the employee has been informed and that he understands these rights and duties. This duty shall be evidenced only by the employee’s written acknowledgment of having been informed and having understood his rights and duties. Any failure of the employer to provide and evidence such notification shall relieve the employee from any notification duty owed, notwithstanding any provision of this act to the contrary, and the employer shall remain liable for all rendered treatment. Subsequent treatment may be provided by any health care provider of the employee’s own choice. Any employee who, next following termination of the applicable period, is provided treatment from a nondesignated health care provider shall notify the employer within five (5) days of the first visit to said health care provider. Failure to so notify the employer will relieve the employer from liability for the payment for the services rendered prior to appropriate notice if such services are determined pursuant to paragraph (6) to have been unreasonable or unnecessary.