[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/workers-compensation-claims-can-i-select-my-doctor\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/workers-compensation-claims-can-i-select-my-doctor\/","headline":"Workers’ Compensation Claims: Can I Select My Doctor?","name":"Workers’ Compensation Claims: Can I Select My Doctor?","description":"In Georgia, injured employees must choose medical treatment from a pre-approved panel of physicians provided by their employer to receive workers\u2019 compensation benefits. If your employer fails to post or explain the list, you may choose your own doctor at their expense.\u00a0However, seeing someone outside the panel without permission could...","datePublished":"2026-01-27","dateModified":"2026-03-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/author\/puttingpeoplefirst\/#Person","name":"Underwood Law LLC","url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/author\/puttingpeoplefirst\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bbcb6205a3d1f6a31659220b0b5f3faafdc2850d6a558e85ff3f28182ee73ad1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bbcb6205a3d1f6a31659220b0b5f3faafdc2850d6a558e85ff3f28182ee73ad1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Underwood Law LLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/William-F-Underwood-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/William-F-Underwood-Logo.png","width":448,"height":96}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Workers-Compensation-Claims-Can-I-Select-My-Doctor.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Workers-Compensation-Claims-Can-I-Select-My-Doctor.jpg","height":630,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/workers-compensation-claims-can-i-select-my-doctor\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=67CTZUfxEnE#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=67CTZUfxEnE","name":"Can I Choose My Own Doctor for a Workers' Compensation Claim in Georgia?","description":"In Georgia workers\u2019 comp cases, you usually cannot choose your own doctor\u2014unless your employer fails to meet these 3 requirements:\n\n0:20 \u2013 Have a list of approved doctors permanently posted and accessible at your workplace\n0:39 \u2013 Help you get treatment from one of the listed doctors if you\u2019re injured\n0:45 \u2013 Ensure the list includes at least 6 doctors, including one orthopedic specialist\n\nIf you have questions or need assistance with your claim, please contact our Georgia workers' compensation attorneys today.\n\n#workerscompensation","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/67CTZUfxEnE\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/67CTZUfxEnE\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/67CTZUfxEnE\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/67CTZUfxEnE\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/67CTZUfxEnE\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2025-06-13T15:52:51+00:00","duration":"PT1M58S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/67CTZUfxEnE","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCoUoZkUCDQD23qKa03cGBeg#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCoUoZkUCDQD23qKa03cGBeg","name":"Underwood Law","description":"At Underwood Law, \"justice\" isn't just a word, it's a core concept of a free society. It's important enough to fight for; that's why we are ready to fight for you.\n\nWhen you've been injured due to the carelessness of others, you need a strong, experienced guide to help you obtain the justice you deserve. William F. \"Trey\" Underwood is dedicated to the principle of justice for every individual, and will work tirelessly to get what's right for you.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.dontwait.law\/","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/jf2OwmW1tKbOVsUCl8rgKGZ4LPlTW7vIx11ZqqUwcH12_BggKcz5anBI90xEK5dFqvL6GPS_=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=67CTZUfxEnE#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=67CTZUfxEnE#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=67CTZUfxEnE&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=67CTZUfxEnE#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":7}]]},"about":["Workers' Compensation"],"wordCount":543,"articleBody":"In Georgia, injured employees must choose medical treatment from a pre-approved panel of physicians provided by their employer to receive workers\u2019 compensation benefits.If your employer fails to post or explain the list, you may choose your own doctor at their expense.\u00a0However, seeing someone outside the panel without permission could affect the outcome of your workers\u2019 compensation claim.Understanding the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Panel of PhysiciansGeorgia law requires every employer to post a list of at least six pre-approved doctors who are reasonably accessible to workers after a job injury. One of these providers must be an orthopedic specialist, and no more than two can be industrial clinics.After a work injury, you may pick any doctor from this list as your authorized treating physician.You can also switch to another doctor on the panel once without needing approval from the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC). The doctor you select can refer you to other medical providers if necessary, and those referrals don’t count toward your two choices.However, if those referred doctors make their own referrals, you must obtain Board approval to have those additional referrals covered.Exceptions: When Can You Choose Your Own Doctor?You may choose your own doctor in limited circumstances.If your employer fails to post a valid panel or doesn’t help you understand how to use it, you may choose any qualified doctor, and your employer must pay for your care.\u00a0You also have the right to request one independent medical examination within 120 days after receiving income benefits for an accepted claim.This exam must take place in Georgia or within 50 miles of your home. Your employer must cover the cost as long as you follow the notice and procedural requirements.In a medical emergency, you can get treatment from any doctor until you can reasonably choose one from the panel. The Board can also approve a change in your treating doctor if there’s a valid reason.Risks of Selecting a Non-Panel DoctorChoosing a doctor who isn’t on your employer’s approved panel can create problems for your claim.Your employer’s insurer may refuse to pay for unauthorized treatment unless an exception applies. Their decision could leave you on the hook for the entire medical bill.It could also delay your other benefit payments, since the insurer might dispute medical opinions from a non-panel provider.If the Board later rules that your employer’s panel was valid, you could lose coverage for any care costs from non-panel providers.Before you schedule any doctor’s visits, always confirm whether the provider is on your employer’s panel of physicians or whether you qualify for an exception. A workers’ comp lawyer can explain your rights, help you request changes or IMEs, and determine whether you have a valid exception to see a doctor of your own choosing.Seeking guidance before making changes can protect your right to benefits.How a Workers’ Comp Lawyer from Underwood Law LLC Can HelpIf you have questions about choosing a doctor or dealing with your employer’s panel after a work injury in Georgia, Underwood Law LLC can help.Contact our skilled workers’ comp attorneys today for a free consultation to discuss your claim."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Workers’ Compensation Claims: Can I Select My Doctor?","item":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/workers-compensation-claims-can-i-select-my-doctor\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]