Nevada has a highly transient population, with people moving in and out of the state frequently, particularly in this volatile economy. I remember the days when they used to publish the Las Vegas phone book twice a year. (Now no one uses a phone book; we use our smart phones.)
When an injured worker with an accepted Nevada claim moves out of Nevada while still needing medical care, he or she must do the following:
1. Before the move, find the name of a reputable doctor you want to treat you. Do some homework and ask people in your new hometown. You may also ask your adjuster on your Nevada claim whether a nurse case manager she knows can ask for names, as they sometimes belong to a network of nurse case managers nationally.
2. Send this link to the doctor and ask the doctor whether they will ask as payment what the Nevada fee schedule provides.
3. Once the doctor responds that she will accept the Nevada fee schedule of payments, request in writing to the adjuster that she authorize the change of doctors. All of this takes time, which is why you need to start this process about a month before you move.
4. Print out and take a copy of the Physician Progress Report you will have the doctor fill out after every doctor visit (that must occur monthly at a minimum). This form will be necessary in order for you to receive benefits if your doctor takes you off work. (If the doctor gives you work restrictions, whether you get benefits will depend on whether or not your employer at the time of the accident has light duty work available. If not, you get benefits. If the employer does have light duty, you don’t get benefits simply because you moved and can’t report for light duty work.)
5. If the doctor checks the box that you have a likely ratable impairment at your last doctor’s visit, the insurer will pay for you to return to Nevada for a permanent partial disability evaluation (also known as a rating.)
