Usually not at first. In Florida workers’ compensation, your employer’s insurance carrier selects and authorizes your treating doctor, and a provider generally needs the carrier’s authorization before treating you. You do have one important right: on written request, the carrier must allow one change of physician during your claim. Emergency care is the other main exception. The rules are different if you are a federal employee or a longshore worker, and in those systems you have more say from the start.
This guide explains how doctor choice works for injured workers in Jacksonville and across Florida, from the side of an injury clinic that treats work injuries every day. It is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your rights or a dispute, talk to a workers’ compensation attorney.
Key facts
- Under Fla. Stat. 440.13(3)(a), a health care provider must receive authorization from the carrier before providing treatment, except in an emergency.
- Under Fla. Stat. 440.13(2)(f), the carrier must allow one change of physician per accident on written request and authorize an alternative within 5 days; if it does not, the employee may select the physician.
- Florida requires you to report a work injury to your employer within 30 days (Fla. Stat. 440.185).
- Florida limits chiropractic care to 24 treatments or 12 weeks from the first chiropractic visit, whichever comes first, unless the carrier authorizes more or the injury is catastrophic (Fla. Stat. 440.13(2)(a)).
- Federal employees under FECA choose their own physician (20 CFR 10.300).
Who picks your doctor in Florida workers’ comp
Florida’s workers’ compensation law, Chapter 440 of the Florida Statutes, is administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers’ Compensation. Under that law, the insurance carrier manages your medical care. In practice, that means:
- The carrier directs you to an authorized treating physician.
- That physician, and anyone they refer you to with authorization, provides your care.
- Consultations, surgery, therapy procedures, X-rays or special tests costing over $1,000 need express carrier authorization, unless the carrier fails to respond within 10 days or it is an emergency.
Florida’s definition of “physician” in workers’ comp includes medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractic physicians, podiatrists, optometrists and dentists. So a chiropractor can be an authorized provider, within the chiropractic limits described below.
Your one-time change of physician
If you are unhappy with your authorized doctor, Fla. Stat. 440.13(2)(f) gives you one change of physician per accident. The steps are straightforward:
- Put the request in writing to the carrier or your adjuster, and keep a copy.
- The carrier has 5 days to authorize an alternative physician who is not professionally affiliated with the previous one.
- If the carrier does not respond in time, the law allows you to select the physician.
Because you only get one change, it is worth thinking about timing and who you would want to see. A referral to a specialist from your authorized doctor is different from a change of physician. Many injured workers talk with an attorney before using the change, especially if care has been denied or delayed.
Emergency care is the exception
You do not need prior authorization for emergency care. If you are seriously hurt at work, go to the nearest emergency room. The provider must notify the carrier by the close of the third business day after emergency treatment. Follow-up care after the emergency goes back through the carrier.
Can I see my own doctor anyway?
You can, but the carrier generally will not pay for unauthorized care, so you may be responsible for the bill. If you want a particular clinic to treat you, the practical path is to ask the carrier to authorize that provider, or to use your one-time change to request them.
Chiropractic limits in Florida workers’ comp
If chiropractic care is part of your plan, know that Florida caps it at 24 treatments or 12 weeks from your first chiropractic visit, whichever comes first, unless the carrier authorizes more or the injury is catastrophic. At an integrated clinic, that does not have to be the end of care: medical providers and physical therapy can continue within the carrier’s authorization.
Report the injury and know your deadlines
- 30 days: report the injury to your employer within 30 days of the injury or of when symptoms first appeared.
- 2 years: a petition for benefits generally must be filed within 2 years after you knew or should have known the injury was work-related. Payment of benefits or treatment can extend that by 1 year from the payment date.
Disputes over care are handled through the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims. An attorney can explain your options there.
Federal and port workers in Jacksonville follow different rules
Jacksonville’s workforce is spread across the port, logistics and warehousing, healthcare and construction, and a large federal presence. Not all of those workers are covered by Florida’s system:
- Federal civilian employees at places like NAS Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, USPS, the VA and TSA are covered by FECA. Under 20 CFR 10.300, you choose your treating physician, and the claim starts on Form CA-1 or CA-2. See our federal OWCP injury care page.
- Longshore and harbor workers, including many who work the JAXPORT terminals, may be covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, which gives a free choice of attending physician among those authorized by the Director of OWCP.
- A crash while driving for work may be a workers’ comp claim rather than a PIP claim. Tell us how the injury happened so we route it correctly.
How East Coast Injury Clinic fits into your Jacksonville work injury claim
We can treat your Florida workers’ comp injury once the carrier authorizes us. Call with your claim number and your adjuster’s contact information, and our front desk will request authorization. Our occupational and sports medicine physicians, chiropractic team and physical therapists work from one record, and we handle return-to-work documentation as part of care. Learn more about our workers’ comp injury care and how workers’ comp works in Florida.
Our Jacksonville clinic locations
Both clinics treat work injuries once the carrier authorizes care. You can be seen at our Southside clinic at 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 609 (32256), near JTB and I-295, or at our North Jacksonville clinic at 13453 N Main St, Suite 302 (32218), north of I-295. Both clinics offer the same services and the same hours, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Call (904) 513-3954 or request an appointment online.
Every claim is different, and recovery from a work injury takes time. If we are not the right fit for your injury, we will tell you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose my own doctor for workers’ comp in Florida?
Not at first. The carrier selects and authorizes your treating physician. You can request one change of physician in writing, and if the carrier does not authorize an alternative within 5 days, you may select the physician (Fla. Stat. 440.13(2)(f)).
What is the one-time change of physician?
It is your right to one change of treating physician per accident. You request it in writing, and the carrier must authorize an unaffiliated alternative physician within 5 days.
Will workers’ comp pay if I go to my family doctor?
Generally not, unless the carrier has authorized that doctor. Unauthorized care may leave you responsible for the bill. Emergency care is the main exception.
Do I need authorization for emergency care after a work injury?
No. Go to the emergency room if you are seriously hurt. The provider must notify the carrier by the close of the third business day. Follow-up care then goes through the carrier.
How many chiropractic visits does Florida workers’ comp allow?
Up to 24 treatments or 12 weeks from the first chiropractic visit, whichever comes first, unless the carrier authorizes more or the injury is catastrophic (Fla. Stat. 440.13(2)(a)).
Is a federal work injury handled the same way?
No. Federal civilian employees are covered by FECA, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s OWCP, and under 20 CFR 10.300 they choose their own treating physician.
How is work injury care paid for?
Most injury care at East Coast Injury Clinic is covered through one of four paths: auto insurance PIP after a car accident, a personal injury attorney’s Letter of Protection, state workers’ compensation for a work injury, or federal workers’ compensation (OWCP or Longshore) if you are a federal or maritime employee. We also see patients under Medicare, Tricare, VA Community Care, and a limited number of private plans. Our front desk verifies coverage before your first visit and explains exactly what is and is not covered for your specific case, so there are no surprises. Call 904-513-3954 or visit eastcoastinjury.com to start.
