A guide for general practitioners
What is WorkCover Queensland?
We provide compulsory workers’ compensation insurance to over 152 000 Queensland employers and manages over
The claims process
Anyone defined as a ‘worker’ under the Act can apply for compensation for a work-related injury. They need to complete a claim form and return this to us. We offer a financial incentive for doctors to lodge the claim for the injured worker—more informationh is available on our doctor fax page.
We assess the application and most claims are accepted. The main reason a claim is not accepted is when the injury is not related to work, or the person is not a worker. For example, they may be self-insured and require a different type of policy.
The most common reason doctor’s accounts are not paid is because the worker fails to lodge the claim form. If the form is not lodged, we are unaware of the claim and will not pay any associated costs.
Importance of the medical certificate
A workers’
- if the patient has a work related injury
- if they should be off work
- what we can pay for (for example lost wages, doctors fees, hospital, or rehabilitation interventions)
- for how long we pay the worker.
Why would I contact WorkCover?
The most common reasons may include:
- to find out if a claim is accepted
- to see if we will pay for a treatment or rehabilitation not usually covered by Medicare
- to provide a verbal response to a request for a written report
- to discuss a specific issue relating to a claim or patient.
Can I charge WorkCover for contact?
Yes. Common item numbers are available here or visit
Q-COMP's website for a more detailed explanation.
Do I have to reveal all details of the consultation?
We appreciate the nature of the doctor/patient relationship. You may limit the information provided, but basic information that we need includes:
- what the patient said about work related events
- examination findings
- diagnosis and proposed treatment and rehabilitation options.
New Q-COMP medical certificate
Q-COMP will be issuing a new workers’
What is doctor fax?
Doctors can invoice us for an extra $10 payment, when they fax us the workers’
What documents do I send?
All documents must be lodged by fax to 1300 651 387 and be received within 24 hours of the consultation. You will only receive the $10 payment when an invoice accompanies the medical certificate. Please write clearly on the documents you fax to us—we may reject faxes that are illegible.
There are two methods of doctor fax—to receive the $10 payment, you must lodge all the documents as one single package.
| 1. | New medical certificate | Fax us:
|
| 2. | Claim form plus medical certificate | Fax us:
|
For existing claims, you must fax the medical certificate and the invoice (with the doctor fax item number included) as one single package.
Fees
In Queensland, payments for medical treatment services and some non-medical activities are paid with regard to the Q-COMP table of costs. Individual insurers may choose to generate some payments that suit matters that are specific to them.
The schedule overleaf compares some commonly used item numbers for general practitioners in Queensland, some of the more commonly used items from the Supplementary Schedule (for example reports) and some specific to WorkCover Queensland, and not used by other insurers.
More detailed explanation of the use of the item numbers can be found on Q-COMP’s website.
What are our contact details?
Mail GPO Box 2459, Brisbane Qld 4001
Telephone 1300 362 128
Fax 1300 651 387
Email info@workcoverqld.com.au
