FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes. Under Ohio law, injured workers have the right to choose their own BWC-certified Physician of Record (POR). You are not required to treat with a provider or office your employer selected. Selecting the right Physician of Record is critical, as this doctor oversees your treatment plan, documentation, work restrictions, and return-to-work recommendations. If you are injured in Columbus or surrounding Central Ohio areas, select a certified provider who prioritizes accurate documentation and proper claim management.

A Physician of Record (POR) is the primary BWC-certified doctor responsible for managing your workers’ compensation claim. The POR develops your treatment plan, submits required documentation to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), updates work restrictions, and coordinates care with specialists when needed. Choosing the right POR can directly impact both your medical recovery and your claim outcome.

Immediately! Prompt evaluation and documentation are critical in Ohio workers’ compensation cases. Delays in care can complicate your claim, affect approval of conditions, and prolong recovery. Early treatment allows for accurate diagnosis, proper documentation, and a clear treatment strategy.

At Hughes Health, we treat a wide range of work-related injuries, including: • Back and neck injuries • Repetitive strain injuries • Shoulder and rotator cuff injuries • Knee injuries • Muscle strains and sprains • Slip and fall injuries • Lifting injuries We focus on non-surgical treatment whenever appropriate and coordinate referrals when advanced care is necessary.

Yes, clear and detailed medical documentation is one of the most important aspects of a successful claim. We provide thorough reporting to support treatment necessity, work restrictions, and ongoing care recommendations. We also communicate with managed care organizations (MCOs), attorneys, employers, and other providers when appropriate.

You still have the right to change your Physician of Record to a provider of your choice, as long as they are BWC-certified. If you feel unheard, rushed, or pressured, you are legally allowed to transfer your care.

Yes, we frequently evaluate patients seeking second opinions when claim allowances are being questioned. Our detailed assessments and documentation can help clarify injury mechanisms, treatment necessity, and functional limitations. This will help with court hearings for your claim approval. However, if the claim has been formally denied at Staff Hearing, the case is ultimately closed and you will have to seek care outside of workers compensation.

Return-to-work decisions are based on medical evaluation and documented functional ability. Not employer preference. As your Physician of Record, we provide objective assessments and clearly defined work restrictions to ensure your safety during recovery. We may also refer you for work readiness programs to make sure you're able to confidently return to work.

Not every case requires an attorney. However, in more complex cases, such as denied conditions, disputed treatment, or hearings for disability payments, legal representation may be beneficial. We work collaboratively with attorneys when needed and provide detailed medical reports to support your case.

We focus on patient-centered care and long-term recovery. Our evaluations are thorough, our documentation is detailed, and our treatment plans are individualized. We advocate for appropriate medical care while maintaining professional communication with all parties involved. Your recovery and clinical picture guides our medical decisions and we make sure to clearly communicate that to all parties.

At our Columbus location, we primarily focus on the administrative and documentation aspects of Ohio workers’ compensation cases. While we evaluate injuries and determine medical necessity, our role in most BWC cases centers on: • Accurate diagnosis • Claim allowance support • Treatment authorization requests • Work restriction reporting • Coordination with specialists • Detailed documentation for hearings If therapeutic treatment such as physical rehabilitation, pain management, or surgical consultation is required, we coordinate referrals to trusted providers within our network.

Our reports focus on: • Mechanism of injury analysis • Objective findings • Functional impairment documentation • Causation analysis • Clear medical necessity rationale • Direct responses to IME opinions We emphasize defensible, medically supported opinions grounded in occupational health standards.

While we do not typically appear to hearings, we provide detailed narrative reports and professional medical opinions. Our documentation is structured to address causation, treatment necessity, and work capacity in a medical-legally clear format.

To help us evaluate your case efficiently, please bring: • Your BWC claim number (if available) • Date and detailed description of the injury • Any prior medical records related to the injury if you were treated at a different office • Imaging reports and CD's if available (X-ray, MRIs, CT scans) • A list of current medications • Copies of prior C-9s, MEDCO-14s work restrictions, or denial letters If your claim has been denied, bring any correspondence from the BWC or Managed Care Organization (MCO). Being prepared allows us to focus on accurate documentation and claim strategy from day one. While we have limited access to what's available on the BWC portal, having the above records help with thorough record-keeping.