Mental health and Workers’ Comp

Mental health plays an important part in the physical health of your employees. However, Ohio workers’ compensation law only allows for physical injury claims. Injured workers who experience a mental illness caused by a workplace injury may be able to seek counseling services. Understanding the timing and cause of the mental health issue can help the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation make the best determination for the treatment of your injured worker.

Mental health claims

For claims to be allowed, a physical injury must have been caused by accidental means, during the course of employment. If no physical injury exists, there can be no claim. Therefore, mental health claims on their own are not allowed. The BWC carefully evaluates and researches all claims to decide on the causality of the injury.

What qualifies

When a psychological issue is triggered by a workplace injury, therapy and other mental health services may be included as part of the claim costs. Examples of this would be a stress-related heart attack or depression triggered by brain damage.

Workers suffering from stress-related mental illnesses, without a physical injury, are generally not entitled to workers’ comp coverage. These mental health injuries do not entitle the worker to coverage for medical care.

Mental health providers you can trust

Depression, anxiety, and stress can be triggered by a variety of situations. They can be triggered by an injury, a chronic medical condition caused by the work being performed, or a disease caused by exposure. Treatment costs for the injury and the resulting mental illness, including therapy and medication, may be covered as part of an overall injury claim.

It is critical to partner with a provider who is familiar with work-related injuries and workers’ compensation rules. This will ensure your injured worker gets appropriate treatment. The physician of record also plays a significant role in helping injured workers. Working alongside an MCO with access to a large network of medical providers, will help keep claims cost low, while also ensuring that injured workers receive the highest quality care.

A partner you can trust

Having a partner in your corner, who will look out for the best interests of your employees, is important. They will help your injured workers return to their role quickly and keeping your workers’ compensation costs down. An MCO can guide you and your injured workers through the confusing world of workers’ compensation.

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