Can You Choose Your Own Doctor for an Arizona Workers' Comp Claim?

In most Arizona workers' compensation claims, yes: you generally have the right to choose your own doctor. The employer can send you to its own doctor for one visit, and after that the choice is usually yours. The main exception is an employer that is self-insured and directs your medical care. Once you have picked a doctor, switching requires approval.

The employer's one visit

According to the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA), the employer picks the first doctor, who may see the worker one time. After that visit, the worker may choose a physician. The ICA's guide for injured workers also notes that returning to the employer's doctor voluntarily more than once can be treated as having chosen that doctor, so it is worth deciding deliberately after the first visit rather than drifting into an ongoing relationship.

The self-insured exception

The ICA explains that you have the right to select the doctor of your choice unless your employer is self-insured and directs care. A self-insured employer that directs care may require you to see its contracted doctors for the whole injury, and changes are approved only in limited circumstances. If you are unsure whether your employer is self-insured, the ICA Claims Division can tell you. This is worth confirming early, before you schedule treatment with someone outside the employer's network.

Changing doctors once you have chosen

Under A.R.S. § 23-1071(B), an employee cannot change doctors without written authorization from the insurance carrier, the Industrial Commission, or the attending physician. The ICA describes three routes:

• Your attending physician refers you to another doctor.
• The insurance carrier approves the change.
• The ICA approves the change after you submit a written application.

If your doctor and the carrier both refuse, you may apply to the ICA in writing. The ICA publishes a Request to Change Doctors form on its website for this purpose.

The practical warning in the ICA's guide is to wait for approval. If you begin treating with a new doctor before the change is authorized, the bills may not be paid.

Leaving Arizona during treatment

The same statute has a related rule. Under § 23-1071(A), an employee with a disability generally cannot leave Arizona for more than two weeks while still needing treatment unless the Commission approves in writing. Leaving without approval can mean forfeiting compensation and medical reimbursement for that period.

How this fits with the rest of a claim

Your right to treatment begins once the employer is notified, so reporting the injury on time comes first. The rules on medical benefits and payment timing under § 23-1062 describe what that treatment includes. If the carrier denies the claim, the 90-day hearing deadline matters most.

What to keep in mind

These are general rules, and the right to choose a doctor can turn on who insures your employer and whether care is directed. For questions about a specific claim, contact the Industrial Commission of Arizona or a licensed attorney.

This article explains Arizona law in general terms and is not legal advice. Descriptions are based on A.R.S. § 23-1071 as published by the Arizona Legislature and guidance published by the Industrial Commission of Arizona.