If you’re living in Whatcom County and have been injured at work, navigating your recovery options can feel daunting. While Washington State’s Labor & Industries program supports those who were injured at work, learning how to access chiropractic care as part of your recovery is important. This blog post is dedicated to helping you understand the process of how you can go about seeking a chiropractic facility for L&I injuries in Whatcom County – the role of chiropractors and how they can help you, and your part in this process.
Download Your Guide to Chiropractic Care for L&I Injuries
Is Chiropractic Care Covered by L&I in Washington State?
Washington State recognizes the importance of chiropractic treatments in the recovery from workplace injuries. If you’ve been injured at work, you’re entitled to medical benefits, which include chiropractic care.
Need Help Opening and Managing a Claim for Chiropractic Care?
Advanced Sports Chiropractic is a preferred provider for the Washington State L&I division and can open claims, manage claims, and take care of employees in Whatcom County who don’t feel that they are getting the best results from their current provider.
Here’s an overview of how L&I coverage applies to chiropractic care under Washington State laws:
Eligibility for Chiropractic Care Under L&I
- Work-Related Injuries: Workers who have suffered injuries or developed illnesses as a direct result of their job duties are eligible for L&I benefits. These benefits cover necessary medical services, such as chiropractic care, to treat the work-related condition.
- Approved Providers: All the providers must be approved and registered by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. This ensures that only qualified professionals deliver care to injured workers.
What types of workplace injuries may be covered under L&I?
In Whatcom County and Washington State at-large, the L&I program may cover a variety of injuries and work-related conditions that can occur due to a job’s scope or requirements. Below are some of the workplace injuries and conditions that could be covered under L&I.
Acute Physical Injuries
- Falls: Injuries from falling in the workplace, whether from a height or on level ground, such as slipping on wet floors.
- Strains and Sprains: Muscle strain and ligament sprains resulting from lifting, pushing, pulling, and other physical activities.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Injuries caused by sharp objects or machinery.
- Broken Bones: Fractures from various types of accidents, like falls, being struck by objects, or vehicular accidents while working.
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs)
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Occurs when the wrist’s median nerve is compressed, often seen in office workers and assembly line workers.
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons, usually due to repetitive stretching and activities, common in physically demanding jobs.
Occupational Illnesses
- Respiratory Conditions: Such as occupational asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from exposure to dust, chemicals, and irritants in industrial settings.
- Skin Disorders: Like contact dermatitis from exposure to workplace allergens and chemicals.
- Hearing Loss: Often resulting from prolonged exposure to loud noise without adequate protection.
Mental Health Conditions
- Stress-Related Disorders: Including depression and stress-response syndromes or PTSD, occurring in employees after traumatic workplace events.
- Depression and Anxiety: Can be exacerbated or directly caused by workplace conditions, including stress, harassment, or bullying.
Work-Related Diseases
- Asbestosis and Mesothelioma: Linked to extensive exposure to asbestos, particularly in construction or demolition.
- Lead Poisoning: From exposure to high levels of lead, common in construction, manufacturing, and painting industries.
How Does Chiropractic Care Treat Work-Related Injuries?
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, completely drug-free method of treatment that is beneficial for pain relief, recovery, and injury prevention. The goal of treatment is to improve your body’s functionality while reducing nerve irritation. The following are ways it can help:
Pain Management: Pain in the regions affected by workplace injuries, such as the back, neck, and joints, can be decreased significantly through chiropractic adjustments.
Increasing Mobility: Many injuries cause a decline in mobility. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring mobility through adjustments and therapeutic exercises.
Holistic Recovery: Lifestyle and nutritional recommendations are all part of a more balanced idea of health promoted by chiropractic practitioners. This holistic approach can help reduce the burden of work injuries.
Coverage Details
- Initial Treatment: L&I covers initial covers the initial consultations and any other chiropractic treatments that are deemed necessary. This usually involves spinal adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, or any other identified non-invasive therapies to aid the worker’s recovery.
- Ongoing Care: For ongoing treatment, the chiropractor, may file the treatment plan and the chiropractor’s progress report to L&I. This process helps L&I determine the necessity and effectiveness of continued chiropractic care.
- Limits and Extensions: There may be some limits and extensions to the number of chiropractor visits. Any additional treatment required must be medically justified and documented by the patient’s chiropractor.
Process for Using L&I Coverage
- The injured worker must report the incident to the employer and, within the prescribed timeframe, file a claim with L&I or through the employer’s self-insured claim management system.
- The worker should choose a chiropractor from the L&I-approved Provider Lists.
- The chiropractor will conduct an evaluation and communicate with L&I about the treatment plan.
- For ongoing care, the chiropractor may need to have the treatment plan approved by L&I.
Coverage Considerations
An injury or illness should be directly associated with a person’s job responsibilities or the work environment to be compensable under L&I. The steps usually involve report submission, finding appropriate medical help, and making a claim to L&I or a self-insured employer’s workers’ compensation program. In addition, documentation received from various medical providers, which may include chiropractors, is critical in supporting the claim. It establishes the ICD-10 diagnosis and the injury’s relation to the workplace.
In the case of occupational illnesses or conditions that develop over time, proving this association could be complicated and require extensive medical assessments and evidence.
The overall goal of the state of Washington’s L&I program is to ensure that workers with job-related injuries or illnesses have the chance to receive appropriate medical treatment and assistance to retrieve and participate in work-related activities.
Finding the Right Chiropractor in Whatcom County
Selecting a chiropractor experienced with L&I cases is essential. A chiropractor knowledgeable about the L&I process can offer appropriate treatment and claim assistance, help with paperwork, and ensure treatments are authorized and communicated to employers properly.
Making the Most of Your L&I Benefits in Whatcom County
Washington State’s approach to integrating chiropractic care within L&I coverage reflects an understanding of the valuable role that chiropractic treatment can play in the recovery from work-related injuries.
Here are some ways to make the most of your benefits:
- Leverage the resources provided by Washington State’s L&I program. Find a chiropractor who is familiar with L&I and can help you navigate your benefits
- Begin treatment as soon as possible to maximize your recovery and prevent further injury
- Be proactive in your chiropractic care, ask questions, and adhere to your treatment plan
With chiropractors available in Whatcom County who are ready to help, remember, you are never alone in your recovery journey. Proper treatment and support can help you return to daily life and work stronger and healthier than before.
Request A Work-Related Injury Consultation
Fill out the form below or call (360) 383-5680, and we’ll follow up with chiropractic treatment options for your on-the-job injury.