You will need to become a specialist in your injury. By understanding your needs you will have to learn how to communicate to others effectively. The sooner the better you can advocate for your needs, the better your journey to recovery will be.
Ensure that you take the time to learn about your rights and obligations, make informed decisions about your health care options and are not afraid to ask questions of health care providers, lawyers and insurance adjusters.
Ontario’s health care system is a publicly funded system that provides preventative care and medical treatment from primary physicians, to access to hospitals and dental surgery. Some additional medical services depend on how and when the injury occurred, whether you have purchased additional health care coverage and your socioeconomic status.
Who funds health care in Ontario? The first is your Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). The second is ministry programs. Finally, insurance companies to which we pay premiums fund additional health care. These services include the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), extended health care (workplace insurance), motor vehicle accident insurance and other private insurance packages.
Navigating the medical system doesn’t have to be complicated. How you are injured will determine who will pay for your recovery. It depends whether you are injured in a motor vehicle incident, a work place accident or by the negligence of someone else’s actions. Knowing what to do it very important. Seeking legal advice is imperative, as your recovery will take time and money. You need to be able to make informed decisions, so seek assistance before signing anything.
A number of individuals, each with a unique area of expertise and each representing an individual area of practice are important to ensure maximum recovery. Many are specialists who you would have never heard of before your injury.
Here is a list of professionals that may be a part of your recovery team:
- Case Managers
- Insurance Adjusters
- Occupational Therapists
- Personal Support Workers
- Rehabilitation Professionals
- Social workers
- Speech Language Pathologists
- Personal Injury Lawyers
Having successfully managed my own recovery, I can help you with yours. Some of the ways I can assist include legal navigation, access to my health care network, advocacy to insurers, inspiration to believe and fundraisers to support funds for a cure.
If you ever get discouraged, just remember that anything is possible!
