In most cases, no, it is not true that you can only see your employer’s doctors for injuries sustained on the job.

If you have been injured at work, you have the right to seek medical treatment from any doctor or healthcare provider of your choosing. However, in Texas and under some workers’ compensation plans, your employer may have the right to choose the initial doctor who will treat you for your work-related injury.

In some cases, your Texas employer may have a network of approved healthcare providers or a designated workers’ compensation doctor that you must see for your initial treatment. However, this does not necessarily mean that you are required to continue seeing that doctor or stay within that network for all of your medical treatment.

It is important to note that if you choose to see a doctor outside of your employer’s network or designated workers’ compensation doctor, you may be responsible for paying for the cost of your medical treatment, unless the Texas workers’ compensation laws provide otherwise.

It is also important to understand your employer’s policies and procedures regarding workers’ compensation and medical treatment for work-related injuries. If you are uncertain about your rights and options, it may be helpful to consult with a lawyer who specializes in workers’ compensation law to help you navigate the process.

How Is It In Texas Specifically?

In Texas, the rules for choosing a doctor for a work-related injury can vary depending on whether your employer is a subscriber to the state’s workers’ compensation system.

If your employer is a subscriber, you are required to seek medical treatment from a doctor within the employer’s network of approved healthcare providers. If your employer has not established a network, you may choose any doctor to provide treatment for your work-related injury.

However, if your employer is a non-subscriber, meaning they have opted out of the state’s workers’ compensation system, you have the right to choose any doctor or healthcare provider you wish to treat your work-related injury. Non-subscriber employers are not required to provide medical treatment for work-related injuries, but if they do, they must do so in compliance with state laws and regulations.

It is important to note that even if you have the right to choose your own doctor, your employer may still have the right to request that you undergo a medical examination by a doctor of their choosing to assess the extent of your injury and determine whether you are fit to return to work.

If you have been injured on the job in Texas, it is important to understand your rights and options under state law. You may wish to consult with a lawyer who specializes in Texas workers’ compensation law to help you navigate the process and ensure that you receive the medical treatment and benefits to which you are entitled.