What is Ask Best Doctors?
Ask Best Doctors is a pro-active, non-adversarial, consultative medical review by a Best Doctors specialist for injured workers at high risk for adverse developments in their medical condition. Based on the specific needs of the case, Best Doctors will select one of its top experts to review the injured worker’s current diagnosis and treatment plan. Safety National offers this program to all current Specific Excess and Large Deductible Workers’ Compensation policyholders, regardless of Self-Insured Retention or deductible amount.
The Ask Best Doctors program includes:
Phase 1
- Review of case
- Conference call with claims team and
- Final report
If the reporting requirement is met and the claim is determined to be appropriate for the program, Safety National will pay 100% of all Phase 1 fees.
Phase 2: Extended ABD
- Additional testing and evaluation if needed
Phase 3
- Implementation of specialist’s recommendation
Changing Outcomes for the Better
Not every Ask Best Doctors report will recommend a change in diagnosis or treatment plan. While confirmation of an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan by the Best Doctors Expert is of great value, the goal of the program is to change an injured worker’s medical outcome for the better. The Ask Best Doctors Expert report will not be used to deny care to the injured worker, interfere with the treating doctor – patient relationship or compel any change in the treatment plan. This process of open communication should assist the injured worker to make informed decisions about his or her medical care.
Case Referral Criteria
Case referrals routinely involve one of the following medical circumstances:
- Request for second spinal surgery (i.e. laminectomy or fusion)
- Request for spinal cord stimulator or morphine pump
- Early onset of Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
- Pharmacy review
- Validation of treatment
- Chronic Pain Intervention
To be eligible for the program, a claim must be reported to Safety National in a timely manner allowing sufficient lead-time for a meaningful review by the Ask Best Doctors program. Safety National will determine if a referral to Ask Best Doctors is appropriate. Utilization of this program by the policyholder is highly recommended but is completely voluntary. Coverage terms under the applicable policy will not be affected should the policyholder choose not to utilize the Ask Best Doctors services.
For more information on Safety National’s Ask Best Doctors program please visit us at www.safetynational.com or contact: Sherri Hickey, Medical Management Director at askbestdoctors@safetynational.com or by phone 866-762-2559.