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WorkCover Internet > Medical and healthcare > Medical practitioners > Approved medical specialists

Approved medical specialists 
 

Approved medical specialists are senior practising specialists with a sound knowledge of the NSW workers compensation system and workplace-based injury management. Approved medical specialists are appointed by the Workers Compensation Commission to assess disputes about medical issues for workers compensation claims lodged on or after 1 January 2002.

There are two types of approved medical specialists:

  • those who help to resolve disputes about general medical issues regarding the worker's condition – cause, treatment options or fitness for employment 
  • those who help resolve disputes about the evaluation of permanent impairment.

An approved medical specialists may decide to:

  • consult with the medical practitioner or health care professional who is/has treated the worker 
  • call for medical records, including X-rays and results of other tests, and any other information that is considered necessary or desirable to assess the dispute 
  • request that the worker be medically examined by the approved medical specialist.

After investigating the medical dispute, the approved medical specialists will issue a medical assessment certificate. This is the final, binding opinion in disputes about permanent impairment.

In other types of disputes, their medical assessment certificate is taken into account by the Arbitrator when mediating between the parties or issuing direction.

Approved medical specialists for medical issues and permanent impairment are listed on the WorkCover website by name, region and expertise.

 

Call 13 10 50 for more information about approved medical specialists.
How Do I?

Procedures

There are procedures for referring medical disputes for assessment or review of assessments. These procedures are contained in the Medical Assessments Guidelines and in the rules of the Workers Compensation Commission.

Independent Medical Examinations and Reports: Guidelines and Fees Order

The guidelines set out WorkCover’s policy in respect of independent medical examinations as well as the mandatory obligations for employers/insurers when referring a worker for a medical (more).

Evaluation of permanent impairment

Evaluation of permanent impairment: guidelines are issued for the purpose of assessing the degress of permenent impairment (more).

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