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Medical Treatment | Compensation Payments | Permanent Partial Disability |
Denial of Claim | Medical
Bill Approval | Medical Services | Examinations | Back to
Work |
Phone Numbers for Other Questions
The following are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about North Carolina Workers’ Compensation:
Q: Who is required to provide workers’ compensation coverage?
A: Any employer who employs three or more employees.
Note: Every executive officer selected or appointed and empowered in accordance with the charter and bylaws of a corporation is considered an employee of such corporation. For example, a corporation with two officers and one employee would be required to provide workers’ compensation coverage. Any employer in which one or more employees are employed in activities that involve the use of or presence of radiation is required to have coverage.
Q: What if my employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance?
A: The employee should report the lack of workers’ compensation insurance or approved self-insurance to the NCIC Fraud Section and, if injured, should file a Form 18 and Form 33 with the Commission.
Q: What must an employee do when an injury occurs?
A: Report the injury to the employer, orally and in writing, immediately and in any event within 30 days.
Q: What should be done if the employer fails or refuses to report an injury?
A: Employee should file a claim (Form 18 or 18B) within two years of the accident with the Industrial Commission.
Q: Who provides and directs medical treatment?
A: The employer or its insurance company, subject to any Commission orders, provides and directs medical treatment. The employee may petition the Commission to change physicians or approve a physician of employee’s selection when good grounds are shown. However, payment by the employer or carrier is not guaranteed unless written permission to change physicians is obtained from the employer, carrier, or Commission before the treatment is rendered.
Q: What are the rules for chiropractic treatment?
A: If the employer grants permission to seek medical treatment from a chiropractor, the employee is entitled to 20 visits if medically necessary. If additional visits are needed, the chiropractor should request this authorization from the employer.
Q: When can reimbursement for sick travel be collected?
A: If employees travel 20 miles or more round trip for medical treatment in workers’ compensation cases, they are entitled to collect for mileage at the rate of 25 cents a mile for travel prior to June 1, 2000; 31 cents a mile for travel between June 1, 2000 and January 17, 2006; 44.5 cents a mile for travel between January 18 and December 31, 2006; 48.5 cents a mile for travel between January 1 and December 31, 2007; 50.5 cents a mile for travel between January 1 and June 30, 2008; 58.5 cents a mile for travel between July 1 and December 31, 2008; 55 cents a mile for travel between January 1 and December 31, 2009; and 50 cents a mile for travel on or after January 1, 2010. Special consideration will be given to employees who are totally disabled.
Note: The Industrial Commission has given the self-insurers and insurance carriers permission to pay drug and travel expenses directly to the employee without approval from the Commission.
Q: What happens if, in an emergency, the employer fails or refuses to provide medical treatment?
A: The employee may obtain the necessary treatment from a physician or hospital of his own choice, but must promptly request the Commission’s approval.
Q: When do I become eligible for lost wage compensation?
A: No compensation is due for the first seven (7) days of lost time unless the disability exceeds 21 days. Therefore, the first check will not include payment for days 1-7. Payment for those days will be made should the disability continue beyond 21 days.
Q: How often are compensation payments made?
A: Weekly, but the Commission can authorize payments on a monthly basis in some circumstances.
Q: At what rate of pay?
A: 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage, not to exceed $834.00* (2010 maximum) per week.
* The maximum weekly benefit is adjusted annually.
Q: How long is the employee eligible to receive lost-time weekly benefits?
A: Until the employee is able to return to work.
Q: What is permanent partial disability?
A: Total loss or partial loss of use of a member of the body or inability to earn the same wages in any employment as earned at the time of injury.
Q: Who determines permanent partial disability?
A: The Commission, based on the impairment ratings of physicians or evidence of consideration of wage earning capacity.
Q: What happens when the employer refuses to acknowledge the claim?
A: When liability for payment of compensation is denied, the Commission, claimant, his or her attorney (if any), and all known providers of health care shall be promptly notified of the reason for such denial. The denial Form 61 shall not be worded in general terms, but must detail the exact reason for the denial of liability.
Q: How long does it normally take for medical bill approval?
A: Medical Fees has to wait for the insurance carrier to send the bill. Once it is received, bills are approved on a daily basis. After approval, Medical Fees sends the insurance carrier or self-insured a medical bill analysis, stating the approved amount.
Q: How long should a medical provider have to wait for reimbursement?
A: G.S. §97-18(i) states "If any bill for services rendered under G.S. §97-25 by any provider of health care is not paid within 60 days after it has been approved by the Commission and returned to the responsible party, or within 60 days after it was properly submitted, in accordance with the provisions of this Article, to an insurer or managed care organization responsible for direct reimbursement pursuant to G.S. §97-26(g), there shall be added to such unpaid bill an amount equal to ten per centum (10%) thereof, which shall be paid at the same time as, but in addition to, such medical bill, unless such late payment is excused by the Commission."
Q: Who is my employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier?
A: Contact Statistics at (919) 807-2506 for your employers’ insurance coverage. We need to verify period of coverage and with what insurance carrier or Third-Party Administrator handling their claims during that injury date.
Q: What is my claim number?
A: Contact Statistics at (919) 807-2506.
Q: How can an injured worker be referred to Medical Services?
A: We have a referral form which provides us with important information when completed. These forms may be requested by telephone at (919) 807-2616 or by letter request to the N.C. Industrial Commission, 4340 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4340. Referrals are accepted from anyone.
Q: I did not know that the Industrial Commission had Nurses. How much do their services cost?
A: Nurses have worked for the Industrial Commission for more than 22 years, and their services are free.
Q: Do I have to work for the State to qualify for Medical Services from the Industrial Commission?
A: No. Anyone covered by the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act is eligible for our services.
A: No. Workers have a right to a private examination by their doctors. We do encourage the worker to allow the provider to meet with both the worker and the doctor immediately following the examination when the doctor discusses his/her findings and makes his/her recommendations for treatment. This will allow everyone to be aware of and understand treatment plans and expectations.
A: Since you have reached the medical improvement expected following your injury, we would refer you to the N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for reemployment, counseling, and guidance.
About: |
Telephone: |
|---|---|
| General questions and disputes in cases; statistics; coverage information; forms | Workers’ Compensation Information Specialists: (800) 688-8349, (919) 807-2501, (919) 807-2506 |
| Filing and case status | Docket Section: (919) 807-2504 |
| Application of the Act, Settlement Agreements, Change of Physicians | Executive Secretary: (919) 807-2576 |
| Appeals, Rules, and Policies | Commissioners: (919) 807-2500 |
| Medical Bill Approvals | Medical Billing Section: (919) 807-2503 |
| Medical Fee Schedule | http://www.ic.nc.gov/ncic/pages/feesched.asp, (919) 807-2503 |
| Rehabilitation Assistance | Medical Rehabilitation Nurses: (919) 807-2616 |
| Workplace Safety Programs | Safety Section: (919) 807-2603 |
| Hearings in Contested Cases | Docket Section: (919) 807-2504 |
| Pending Occupational Disease Claims | Occupational Disease Section: (919) 807-2502 |
| Bulletin | (919) 807-2506 |
| Form Agreements, Attorney Fees | Claims Section: (919) 807-2502 |
| Personnel and Contracts | Chair’s Office: (919) 807-2526 |
| Workers’ Compensation Fraud | Fraud Section: (888) 891-4895, (919) 807-2570 |
| Mediation of Claims | Mediation Section: (888) 242-5757, (919) 807-2586 |
This document is not intended to answer all questions regarding workers’ compensation or all problems arising under the Workers’ Compensation Act. For more information about workers’ compensation, see the N.C. Industrial Commission’s Annual Bulletin. See also Questions for Business and Industry and Questions for Insurers.
For further information, contact:
North Carolina Industrial Commission
4340 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4340Main Phone: (919) 807-2500
Fax: (919) 715-0280
Workers’ Compensation Information Specialists (formerly Ombudsmen): (800) 688-8349, (919) 807-2501, InfoSpec@ic.nc.gov
Fraud Investigations: (888) 891-4895 (in North Carolina), (919) 807-2570, FraudComplaint@ic.nc.gov