In 2015 the average cost of insurance in the USA was 9,000. In Australia the average cost was approx. 4,400. we are paying double for less and for those of us on WC there is that additional cost. It's hard to realize that a great deal of money is being spent, yet we are not getting treatment.

I was injured at work almost 5 years ago. It is an uncontested case as far as it is clear cut that I was injured at work and developed CRPS after surgery for that injury. My employer did not fight the fact that I was injured at work.

I worked for a very large hospital system (it owns hospitals all over the country). They are self-insured for WC meaning that every treatment/drug etc. has to be approved through the WC system and then the hospital has to agree. Absolutely #@$%!

Every time my doc submits something it gets denied. Even if UR agrees it is appropriate treatment my case worker (with no medical training) denies it. I haven't had any treatments or meds approved in 3 years! I do not get how someone with no medical background can make medical decisions. It's crazy! I have to get the denial from WC and then use my health insurance with it's crazy high deductible followed by Medicare (which pays for almost nothing).

Of course I am in litigation, but that moves slower than *#@! here. In one week it will be two years since my case was first heard by the judge (it took over a year to get on his docket). He has had my completed case on his desk since January and my lawyer says not to expect a decision until at least late summer (and then my employer will appeal it taking another 3-4 years).

Even if I win my case, WC can continue to deny every claim I submit. The whole system is rigged against the injured worker!

Anyway, there is a mail order pharmacy named IWP (Injured Workers Pharmacy) that will supply your meds and then fight with WC for payment. There are several other pharmacies like IWP, but I have found them reliable.

Best of luck to everyone fighting this awful WC system.