Your evaluation comes first
Discuss the injury, symptoms, work duties and previous care. Relevant examination findings and records help guide an individual plan. Recommendations and referrals are selected around the clinical findings; an appointment is not a promise that a particular procedure will be offered or covered.
Care options for your work injury
Your evaluation helps determine which services fit your injury, symptoms and job demands. Available options through Ohio Healthcare Partners include:
Chiropractic care
Chiropractic evaluation and hands-on care are selected around your examination findings. Approaches may include Diversified, Torque Release, Activator or Thompson techniques and spinal decompression when appropriate.
Rehabilitation, movement and soft-tissue care
Individualized exercise and rehabilitation focus on movement, strength and everyday function. Massage, instrument-assisted soft-tissue care and supportive bracing may be included when appropriate. If your plan calls for physical therapy, ask your clinician about the appropriate provider and any referral or authorization needed.
Medical evaluation and injection options
Cortisone and joint injections, gel knee injections or trigger-point injections may be considered after a medical evaluation. Ultrasound guidance is available for selected procedures. Medical and injection care is provided by appropriately licensed clinicians. PRP is not a BWC-covered option at our office.
Injury evaluation and coordinated referrals
Tell us about injury-related symptoms, including headaches, dizziness or brain fog after an injury. Your clinician considers the findings and may recommend further imaging, testing or specialist evaluation when appropriate.
Your care plan and workers' compensation coverage depend on your individual circumstances, claim and any required authorization. A recommended service is not a guarantee of coverage. Learn how a C-9 treatment request works.
Testing and specialist referrals
Will I need an MRI for my work injury?
An MRI can provide detailed images of joints and soft tissues, including muscles, tendons and ligaments. Whether it would help depends on your symptoms, examination and the question your clinician needs to answer. Bring any previous imaging reports to your evaluation. If imaging is recommended, ask where it will be performed and about any required claim authorization before it is scheduled.
What if I need an orthopedic specialist?
An orthopedic specialist evaluates bone, joint, tendon and ligament concerns and may consider surgical or nonsurgical options. If your evaluation suggests that another clinician's expertise is needed, your care plan may include a referral. Your clinician and claim team can clarify which provider will see you and any required authorization. An orthopedic referral does not automatically mean surgery.
Learn about orthopedic care from AAOS. See how a C-9 treatment request works.
What does a C-9 treatment request do?
C-9: asking for care. Your provider uses this form to request medical services or recommend an additional condition for review. It explains the proposed care and includes medical information supporting the request.
For a state-fund claim, the request goes to the managed care organization (MCO); for a self-insured claim, it goes to the employer. The responsible claim team reviews the request. Ask about its status before assuming a recommended service is approved.
How are my work restrictions recorded?
MEDCO-14: explaining your work ability. Your treating clinician uses this report to document supported restrictions and return-to-work information. Tell the clinician about your actual duties—lifting, reaching, standing, driving and other tasks—so the report reflects your job and examination findings.
The report can support a temporary-total compensation request. It does not approve payment by itself. If your job duties or symptoms change, discuss them with your treating clinician.
Official MEDCO-14 form and instructions (PDF) · Questions about pay while off work
Records for a clearer plan
Bring prior visit summaries, imaging reports and work-status information you already have. The office can discuss which records are useful for your evaluation. Supported medical reports help communicate the clinical picture; they do not guarantee claim allowance, benefit payment or a particular outcome.