1. Why is workcover denying injured workers claims, before the claim even gets to court?
2. Why is workcover denying medical and alike expenses to claimants who have been left injured for years?
3. Why didn't the Government reverse the Kennett law all the way back to 1997?
4. Why does workcover employ Private Investigators?
5. Why does workcover constantly change claim officers without informing the claimant?
6. Why are Doctors that are employed by workcover get paid so much more than they charge for standard patients?( Some are receiving up to $800.00 per injured worker but they do no more than your GP does)
7. Why are we still waiting up to 2 years for a court hearing when the medical panels we designed to shorten the wait?
8. Why are injured workers being made to appear at these panels numerous times?
9. Why does workcover ignore employers who are breaching the legislation?
10. Why is workcover putting 1.2 million into country football when injured workers are loosing medical treatment rights, common law rights and for some even their homes?
4 comments:
I have sent letters to the ministers involved in workcover. One of the latest letters is below.
I am requesting an immediate, fully transparent, independent investigation into the serious difficulties faced by people in Australia in obtaining appropriate health care and accurate medical reporting in regard to current and future Workcover, Accident and other compensation claims.
In particular I request an in depth investigation into, the corruption in the Health system, the accuracy of patient radiology scans and reporting, the accuracy of the medical assessments and reports when involving patients on Workcover, Motor Accident Claims and other insurance claims.
Why is there a wide spread practice in Australia of inaccurate reporting and processing of radiology scans when it involves current and future compensation claims especially in regards to people who have Motor accidents and WorkCover claims.
Medical Specialists and General Practitioners subsequently accept the radiology reports. The patient would therefore not receive appropriate medical treatment and would be left with untreated injuries which results in the patient being in pain and not be able to return to work or normal daily activities.
This cost saving system has and would have a negative effect on the recovery of the injured people.
Is this is a cost saving system used by the State Governments to reduce compensation payments in CTP, WorkCover and other insurance claims?
How many people are suffering with medical conditions left untreated due to inaccurate medical reports?
How many people have died or will die as a direct or indirect result of the inaccurate and incomplete medical reports and medical assessments?
Are Doctors required to ignore serious medical conditions that are clearly visible in the radiology scans but not reported on paper?
Why are Doctors paid several hundred dollars for a half hour medical assessment and a short incomplete and inaccurate medical report on patients with Workcover and accident claims?
Why is there an increasing number of Medical Specialists in Australia, who will not provide medical treatment or medical assessments for people with Workcover and accident claims?
Why is it that Neurosurgeons in South Australia will not provide an appointment for people who are on an insurance claims? This is very dangerous in regard to life threatening conditions.
Why is it that the Neurosurgery Department at the Royal Adelaide Hospital will not provide outpatient treatment for new patients who have active CTP and insurance claims?
Is this unsafe cost saving system used in the emergency departments of the public hospital system to cut costs on medical treatment for patients who don't have private health insurance?
Is, or at anytime in the past, the Medical Indemnity cover for Medical practitioners in Australia subsidized by the Government?
If the Government subsidies exist or existed, what are or were the requirements by Doctor’s in return for these subsidies?
Do Medical practitioners obtain any advantages in return for producing inaccurate and incomplete medical reports in regard to Workcover, Accident and other insurance claims patients?
Do Insurance Company’s’ in particular EML and Allianz have any involvement in the inaccurate reporting of radiology films and the incomplete and inaccurate medical reports and medical assessments of injured people on Workcover and accident claims?
Why does the medical and rehabilitation treatment have to be agreed to by a claims manager, who does not have a medical degree, before treatment can begin for the injured person? Is this a way of limiting the medical treatment costs of the people on Workcover, Motor accident and other insurance claims?
Why is there an “arrangement” which allows Doctors to bill Medicare and the insurer for treatment given to insurance claim patients?
Are the people of Australia on Workcover and accident claims being denied appropriate medical care because of inaccurate reports and opinions from medical professionals?
Mr. Tony Abbott MP asked Dr Rohan Hammett, Principal Medical Adviser to the TGA, to meet with me to discuss the Medical Research I have completed. Dr Rohan Hammett contacted Professor Chris Baggoley in relation to the several serious problems brought to his attention in obtaining appropriate health care for my family and for people who have WorkCover and Motor Accident insurance claims.
I attended a meeting in August 2007 with, Professor Chris Baggoley Chief Medical Officer of South Australia, Dr R. Webb Director Public Health and Clinical Coordination, Assoc Professor Kaye Challinger Executive Director Acute Services Central Northern Adelaide Health Service, Dr Rima Staugas Chief Executive of Children's, Youth and Women's Health Service in South Australia. At the meeting it was agreed all of my family’s radiology films would be accurately re-reported, followed by appropriate medical assessments and medical treatment for my family and me. In January 2008 a second meeting was called by Dr. R. Webb, to discuss the progress and to listen to my views. There had been no progress in obtaining accurate re-reporting of all our radiology films or appropriate medical treatment.
Mr. John Hill MP, Health Minister of South Australia, had also requested me to attend the meeting so as to move forward in finding a solution to obtaining quality health care in Australia.
A positive outcome or solution to the persistent problems of the quality in radiology scans, incorrect reporting, inability to obtain appropriate medical treatment for my family and me, or for the people injured at work, in car accidents, or other insurance claims, has not been achieved during the meetings with the Health Department Representatives.
Ms. Toni Hoffman made several complaints to the Health Departments in raising her concerns of patient safety at Bundaberg Hospital, she was disregarded. I, like Ms. Hoffman will continue to raise these concerns until a solution is found.
I, again, request an immediate, fully transparent, independent investigation into the corruption in the Health system, in particular the accuracy of patient radiology scans and reporting, medical assessments and reports when involving patients on Workcover, Motor Accident Claims and other insurance claims.
Ralda,
Thank you for your comments posted today. Its always nice to hear from other victims so we know we are not alone in this mess they call workcover.
Your letter to the minister was brilliant and raises some very serious and valid points I hope it gets through as they need to listen and make some very serious changes to this legislation.
I too have been complaining to the VWA for 8 years now and I am still banging my head against a brick wall but, I am resolved not to give up and will continue to stir the pot until we get some help with the inhuman policies and practices that workcover use.
Many of the other victims I have spoken to have all complained about the fact that they are losing their medical benefits and some have been on workcover for years just waiting to get back to work and they are saying that workcover just keeps ordering new medical reports until they get one they like! Its ridiculous how after 10 - 15 medical reports have been generated in a single claim, that workcover still cannot decide if the injury is work related or not? This is waste of money that could be used to help victims return to work by repairing their injuries and providing appropriate follow up care for those who can return and those who cannot.
This isnt a raffle, and we are all entitled to our injuries being repaired if possible and if you are one of the unlucky ones who cannot return to work then the reversal of common law rights dated back to 1997 needs to be initiated so as you can at least receive compensation for your injuries.
Workcover always seems to forget that if a worker is injured whilst at work that the employers automatically have a duty of care to that worker and are in most instances is also a contributor to the injury which is what workcover is supposed to be about. So why do they fall over the employers and not the workers?
I dont know why they make this road so hard for the ones who are already suffering and it seems to me that workcover only care about the employers and their premiums!!!!
Medical Reports convientally go missing as do whole files so bearing that in mind we need to be dillegent in obtaining copies of all documents produced in our claims.
Keep posting your letters and comments and also you could email your states CEO as they have the final say, and are also the ones who can initiate any changes to parliment.
Keep your advocacy going and at least this way we have the chance of being heard and you also give a voice to those who are unable to speak for themselves!and there are many!!!!!!!!!!
Jo,
I agree this system needs to change. Its all about money the Government do not want to payout on medical treatment and compensation.
I have had several Doctors confirm the cost saving system exists. Some are very aware that the "system" will need to be changed.
When I write a letter to a Minister I send a copy of the letter to the media at the same time.
Dear Ralda,
It seems that between the two of us we have certainly alerted workcover to many of the indescrepencies that exist within their legislation.
So I am at a loss as to why we are being ignored?
Throughout the past 8 years I have sent many emails to the today tonight program and also to a current affairs but they dont seem to be interestd in the workcover system either. I am just persisting and hope that one of them will take my correspondence seriously and actually care about what is happening to the victims of workcover!
I have a new post listed that is the opinion of a well known and experianced solicitor whom has worked within this sytem for years.
He wrote a very lengthy letter to Judge Terry Sheahan about the inconsistencies and unfair legislation that exists and how it discriminates against the workers; and props up the employers.
It also discusses in length the changes that have been made and do not work and have only burden the system further.
Have a read I am sure you will find it of some help with your advocacy for workcover victims!
Cheers
Jo
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