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In Maryland, injured workers have the right to choose their own treating physician for workers’ compensation care — and your employer cannot legally force you to use a company-approved doctor. That distinction matters more than most workers realize. A physician chosen by your employer answers to your employer’s interests, not yours, and their documentation of your injury can directly affect the benefits you receive. If your employer is pressuring you toward a specific doctor and making it sound like you have no choice, that pressure is worth pushing back on. A Maryland workers’ compensation attorney can help you protect your right to independent medical care and fight for the full benefits you deserve.
Your Right to Choose a Doctor Under Maryland Workers’ Compensation
Maryland law requires employers and their insurers to provide medical treatment for employees who suffer work-related injuries or occupational diseases. That obligation covers doctor visits, surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescriptions, and medical devices such as crutches or prosthetics. Importantly, the law does not give your employer the power to dictate which provider delivers that care.
Injured workers in Maryland have the right to select their own physician, including surgeons, chiropractors, and physical therapists. Your employer may hand you a list of “preferred” providers or direct you to a company clinic immediately after the accident, but you are not required to continue treatment with those providers. Once initial emergency care is complete, you are free to see a doctor of your choosing who accepts workers’ compensation cases.
Why Your Choice of Doctor Matters
The physician who treats your workplace injury plays a central role in your workers’ compensation claim. Your doctor’s medical records, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations become key evidence when the insurer evaluates your benefits. A provider who understands the demands of your job and takes your symptoms seriously is more likely to document your condition accurately.
Employer-referred physicians may face a conflict of interest. These providers often receive a steady stream of referrals from the same employers and insurers, which can create an incentive to minimize findings or recommend an early return to work. Choosing your own doctor helps ensure that treatment decisions are based on your health rather than your employer’s costs. If your condition requires extended care, a physician who is working in your interest will be more likely to recommend it.
What to Know About Independent Medical Examinations
Even though you control your choice of treating physician, your employer’s insurer has the right to request an independent medical examination, commonly known as an IME. During an IME, a doctor selected by the insurance company evaluates your condition, often to determine whether your treatment is still necessary or whether you are able to return to work.
An IME is not the same as a second opinion you seek on your own. The examining physician works at the insurer’s request and may reach conclusions that differ from your treating doctor’s findings. You are generally required to attend an IME if the insurer requests one, and refusing can put your benefits at risk. However, the results of an IME do not automatically override your treating physician’s recommendations. If the insurer uses an IME to deny or reduce your benefits, you can appeal that decision to the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission.
How to Find the Right Workers’ Compensation Doctor
Not every physician accepts workers’ compensation patients, so confirming coverage before scheduling an appointment is an important first step. When selecting a provider, look for a doctor with experience treating workplace injuries similar to yours. Ask whether they regularly handle workers’ compensation cases and whether they are familiar with the documentation the Commission requires.
Keep detailed records of every appointment, diagnosis, and treatment plan. Consistent medical documentation strengthens your claim and makes it harder for an insurer to argue that your injury is unrelated to work or less severe than your doctor reports. If you need to change doctors during your treatment, you have the right to do so, but switching providers too frequently can raise questions about the consistency of your medical record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer force me to see their doctor?
No. Maryland law gives you the right to choose your own treating physician. Your employer may require you to attend an independent medical examination requested by their insurer, but they cannot force you to receive ongoing treatment from a provider you did not select.
Does workers’ compensation cover all of my medical expenses?
Your employer’s insurer must cover treatment that is reasonable, necessary, and causally related to your workplace injury. The Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission sets the reimbursement rates that providers can charge, and your doctor cannot bill you for amounts above those rates.
What happens if my doctor and the IME doctor disagree?
If the insurance company’s IME physician reaches a different conclusion than your treating doctor, the insurer may use that disagreement to challenge your benefits. You have the right to appeal to the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission, where a Workers’ Compensation Commissioner will evaluate the medical evidence and decide the dispute.
Can I change doctors during my workers’ compensation case?
Yes. You are free to switch providers at any point during your treatment. However, frequent changes can create gaps in your medical record that insurers may use to question the severity or cause of your injury. If you are considering a change, consulting an attorney first can help you make the transition without jeopardizing your claim.
Protect Your Right to Choose Your Own Doctor in Maryland
Choosing the right physician after a workplace injury is one of the most important decisions you can make for your recovery and your claim. If your employer or their insurer is pressuring you to see a specific doctor, limiting your treatment options, or using an IME to deny your benefits, McGowan & Cecil, LLC can help. Contact our Maryland workers’ compensation team to discuss your case and protect your right to the care you need.