§ 97-25. Medical treatment and supplies. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 97‑25.  Medicaltreatment and supplies.

Medical compensation shall beprovided by the employer. In case of a controversy arising between the employerand employee relative to the continuance of medical, surgical, hospital, orother treatment, the Industrial Commission may order such further treatments asmay in the discretion of the Commission be necessary.

The Commission may at any timeupon the request of an employee order a change of treatment and designate othertreatment suggested by the injured employee subject to the approval of theCommission, and in such a case the expense thereof shall be borne by theemployer upon the same terms and conditions as hereinbefore provided in thissection for medical and surgical treatment and attendance.

The refusal of the employee toaccept any medical, hospital, surgical or other treatment or rehabilitativeprocedure when ordered by the Industrial Commission shall bar said employeefrom further compensation until such refusal ceases, and no compensation shallat any time be paid for the period of suspension unless in the opinion of theIndustrial Commission the circumstances justified the refusal, in which case,the Industrial Commission may order a change in the medical or hospitalservice.

If in an emergency on accountof the employer's failure to provide the medical or other care as hereinspecified a physician other than provided by the employer is called to treatthe injured employee, the reasonable cost of such service shall be paid by theemployer if so ordered by the Industrial Commission.

Provided, however, if he sodesires, an injured employee may select a physician of his own choosing toattend, prescribe and assume the care and charge of his case, subject to theapproval of the Industrial Commission. (1929, c. 120, s. 25; 1931, c. 274, s. 4; 1933, c.506; 1955, c. 1026, s. 2; 1973, c. 520, s. 1; 1991, c. 703, s. 3; 1997‑308,s. 1; 1999‑150, s. 1; 2005‑448, s. 6.2.)