We’ve spent more than 30 years representing injured workers, helping them address delayed or denied medical treatment.
If you’ve been hurt at work in Missouri, you may expect medical treatment to begin quickly. But many injured workers discover that important care—like MRIs, specialist referrals, or surgery—can take weeks or even months to get approved.
These delays are one of the most frustrating parts of the workers’ compensation process. Understanding why they happen and what you can do about them can help you protect both your health and claim.
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Missouri Workers’ Compensation Insurance Controls Medical Treatment
Under the Missouri workers’ compensation law, the employer or its insurance company usually has the right to choose the treating doctor and approve medical care.
This means the insurer typically must authorize:
- Diagnostic tests (MRIs, CT scans, nerve studies)
- Specialist referrals
- Physical therapy
- Pain management treatment
- Surgical procedures
Until that authorization is granted, the treatment may not move forward. In many cases, delays occur because the insurance company is reviewing or questioning the medical recommendation.