Commonwealth Court Affirms Workers' Comp. Carriers Not Responsible for Paying for Unlicensed Medical Treatment
In Blaine Boleratz v. WCAB (Airgas), the Commonwealth Court affirmed that workers' compensation insurance carriers are not responsible for paying for medical treatment to an injured worker unless it is rendered under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner. In this case, the injured worker obtained therapy from a massage therapist. The carrier refused payment, noting that massage therapists are not eligible health care providers as defined by the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act. It is important to note that the Court agreed with the insurance carrier, even though the massage therapy was prescribed by a licensed medical provider. But, because the actual treatment (massage therapy) was not provided or supervised by a licensed medical practitioner, the carrier was not held liable for payment.
