Section 127.751. Employer’s option to establish a list of designated health care providers

(a) Employers have the option to establish a list of designated health care providers under section 306(f.1)(1)(i) of the act (77 P. S. § 531(1)(i)).

(b) If an employer has established a list of providers which meets the requirements of the act and this subchapter, an employe with a work-related injury or illness shall seek treatment with one of the designated providers from the list. The employe shall continue to treat with the same provider or another designated provider for 90 days from the date of the first visit for the treatment of the work injury or illness.

(c) The employer may not require treatment with any one specific provider on the list, nor may the employer restrict the employe from switching from one designated provider to another designated provider.

(d) An employe may not be required to obtain emergency medical treatment from a listed provider. However, once emergency conditions no longer exist, the injured employe shall treat with a listed provider for the remainder of the 90-day period.

(e) If an employer’s list of designated providers fails to comport with the act and this subchapter, the employe shall have the right to treat with a health care provider of the employe’s choice from the time of the initial visit.

(f) If an employer chooses not to establish a list of designated providers, the employe shall have the right to seek medical treatment from any provider from the time of the initial visit.

(g) If a designated provider prescribes invasive surgery for the employe, the employe may seek an additional opinion from any health care provider of the employe’s choice. If the additional opinion differs from the opinion of the designated provider and the additional opinion provides a specific and detailed course of treatment, the employe shall determine which course of treatment to follow. If the employe opts to follow the course of treatment outlined by the additional opinion, the treatment shall be performed by one of the health care providers on the employer’s designated list for 90 days from the date of the first visit to the provider of the additional opinion.

The provisions of this § 127.751 amended January 16, 1998, effective January 17, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 329. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (203515).