In 1991Texas created what is commonly referred to as the “New Law” for Texas Workers’ Compensation.  They took away the right of a worker to sue their employer for normal acts of negligence and created an administrative system where workers could receive care for their injuries and compensation for their losses.   

This system was set up to always look at issues in a light most favorable to the injured worker.  With most of the attorneys removed from the system, it was believed that the savings could be passed on to the injured worker who would receive higher quality care and be able to return to work quicker. 

After 1991, the Texas Workers’ Compensation system began to chip away at the workers’ rights.  In 2005, HB 7 removed the right of an injured worker to select their own doctor after a work injury.  They created what were called employer networks that required an injured worker to select a doctor within a given list of providers. 

There is a phrase popularized by Mark Twain “There are lies, damn lies and statistics.”  Texas Workers’ Compensation medical networks clearly define this saying.  Our state agency indicates that the statistics for network providers are on par or even better than before the networks were created. 

At the core of this system is the use of “network” healthcare providers. Texas requires most employers to direct injured workers to specific, approved medical providers within a network for their treatment. These networks are designed to limit treatment costs by consolidating healthcare services and negotiating rates with a selected group of providers. While this can reduce costs for employers and insurers, it restricts workers’ ability to choose their healthcare provider. Workers must receive approval from the network for treatments outside of the network, and any non-network treatment is generally not covered, forcing many to accept care that may not fully address their needs. 

Concentra Medical Centers play a significant role in this network system. There are networks that have very few options outside of selecting a Concentra Medical Center.  As one of the largest providers of occupational health services in Texas, Concentra operates numerous clinics within the workers’ compensation network. These centers are often the first point of contact for injured workers, and their focus is typically on treating immediate, short-term injuries. However, workers with long-term or complicated injuries may face challenges in getting the care they need if their treatment requires referral to specialists or additional therapies. While Concentra’s services are often efficient and cost-effective, they may not always provide the specialized or comprehensive care that more severe injuries require. 

Cost containment efforts, such as the use of network providers and restrictions on treatment, can disproportionately affect workers with serious injuries. These efforts may limit access to appropriate specialists, rehabilitation programs, or long-term care, potentially leading to inadequate recovery and prolonged disability. In some cases, workers may even be forced to return to work before fully recovering, risking further injury or long-term health issues. The pressure to contain costs often takes precedence over workers’ long-term well-being, leading to tension between the economic goals of the system and the healthcare needs of injured workers. 

If you are an injured worker, we would love to hear your story regarding network medical providers.  Both good and bad.  Please leave a response to this article and a google review for that provider on their site.  This will not only educate other injured workers, but also our state government.