Will workmans comp pay for surgery

Arizona Workers’ Compensation Laws

With workers’ comp insurance, Arizona employees who get hurt or sick on the job receive benefits like:

• Coverage for medical expenses
• Temporary wage compensation if they need time off to heal
• Permanent compensation or job retraining for severe injuries

The Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA), handles workers’ comp claims. The ICA started in 19252 and has two divisions: the Claims Division and the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Division.

The Claims Division focuses on:3

• Overseeing insurance companies that process claims filed by injured workers
• Making sure workers receive proper benefits under Arizona Workers’ Compensation Law

The staff in the claims division are available for general help, not legal advice. They’ll be able to answer any questions you may have about workers’ compensation rules.

When the Claims Division gets a request for a hearing, the case moves to the Hearing Division of the ALJ. The ALJ division handles disputes between claimants, employers and insurance carriers.4 Some of the disputes involve:5

• Compensability
• Continuing benefits
• Supportive care
• Reopening of claims
• Loss of earning capacity

Arizona Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage and Rates

What’s covered? In Arizona, workers’ comp covers all medical expenses to heal the work-related injury or illness. It can also provide some of the missed wages when injured workers need time off to recover.

Coverage requirements in Arizona say you must provide workers’ comp for full-time and part-time workers. However, certain employees do not need workers’ compensation, including:7

• Independent contractors
• Casual employees whose work is not part of the normal operation of your business
• Domestic employees who work in a private home

Sole proprietors and partners with no employees also have workers’ comp exemptions, but can still choose to have it if they want the peace of mind. Any corporate officers at your business may also need workers’ comp coverage.8

Workers’ comp premiums are different for every business. In Arizona, several factors go into deciding your premium. Workers’ comp class codes are one of those factors. Class codes, established by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) system,9 represent the amount of risk a worker faces on the job. That risk level then determines your workers’ compensation coverage premium.

Proof of coverage is a document that shows your business has the proper workers’ comp insurance. In Arizona, you can get workers’ comp coverage through a commercial provider, like The Hartford. Self-insurance is also an option, but you must apply for it through the ICA.

Once you get your policy with us, we’ll help you get proof of coverage right away. To learn more, get a workers' comp quote today. Our specialists and insurance agents are eager to find the coverage that fits your business.

What Workers’ Compensation Covers in Arizona:

Arizona workers’ comp policies help cover:

Accidents or injuries that happen on the job. For example, if your employee sprains their ankle while mopping, workers’ comp can help provide medical benefits.

Ongoing care for more severe injuries. If an employee breaks their leg on the job, they may need surgeries and weeks of physical therapy to heal. Workers’ comp can help cover those costs.

Illnesses from exposure to unhealthy working conditions or substances.

Repetitive injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome from repeated strain during the work day. 

Funeral costs and death benefits for the family of an employee who dies in a work-related incident.

Disability benefits if a work-related injury or illness keeps an employee from returning to work right away.

Arizona Workers’ Compensation Fee Schedule

Arizona legislature also recently passed Arizona Revised Statute 23-908, an amendment that sets the fees for prescription medications for injured workers.13

For more information about the Arizona workers’ compensation fee schedule, visit ICA’s website.

Arizona Workers’ Compensation Claims

Injured workers’ in Arizona are responsible for filing a workers’ comp claim within one year of their injury,14 but they should notify you as soon as they can. This makes it easier to fill out all the documents they’ll need for the claim.

Your employees can make workers’ compensation claims by submitting either:15

• A Worker's and Physician's Report of Injury at the doctor’s office
• A Worker's Report of Injury from the ICA

This article provides general information, and should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, insurance, tax or accounting advice. As with all matters of a legal or human resources nature, you should consult with your own legal counsel and human resources professionals. The Hartford shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, consequential, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages in connection with the use by you or anyone of the information provided herein.