Maximise Your Recovery < Back
Dealing with busy medical practitioners can be difficult but it is important that you are able to discuss carefully all the treatment options that might be available to you and the various advantages of each option. If you feel that you do not get the opportunity to discuss these matters freely with your doctor there are some things you can do.
  • When you book an appointment specifically ask the doctor's receptionist for a long consultation so you will have an opportunity to discuss these matters. WorkCover will cover the extra cost of the consultation for this purpose.

  • Write out all your queries before your appointment and do not feel inhibited in bringing out the list of questions at the consultation and working through them one by one.

  • If you are consulting specialists and they recommend major treatment programs such as surgery, discuss this with your general practitioner and discuss the possibility of obtaining a second opinion before you commit to surgery. You are fully entitled to obtain a second opinion under WorkCover. You have the right to obtain medical treatment from the medical practitioner of your choice.

  • Make sure that your doctor is prepared to deal with WorkCover as this can be very important in ensuring your entitlements continue to be paid smoothly. If you are a long-term patient of the practice this is usually no difficulty. Some doctor's surgeries have notices which make clear that they do not deal with WorkCover or TAC matters. Other doctors may communicate some 'irritation', to you about having to deal with WorkCover. This is because payment of medical accounts by WorkCover can sometimes be slow, or time has to be spent in preparing certificates or writing reports for WorkCover. Some doctors become concerned about the remote possibility that the doctor may be called to give evidence in your WorkCover case. Being irritated with having to deal with WorkCover is perfectly understandable! If however, you think this irritation is affecting your doctor's willingness to treat you, talk frankly to your doctor about the issue. If this does not resolve the situation, carefully consider changing your medical practitioner but only do so if equivalent medical treatment is available elsewhere. Do not sever the link with your current doctor unless you are sure that another doctor is prepared to treat and certify you.


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