Worker 'Uses' Medical Benefits by Seeing Doctor, Even if Carrier Wasn't Billed for Visit

The Montana Workers' Compensation Court ruled that a worker “used” his medical benefits by visiting his doctor, even though the doctor never billed the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier for the appointment. Case: Westre v. Liberty Northwest Insurance Corp., No. 2017-4074, 08/14/2018, published. Facts and procedural history: Troy Westre injured his back in 2005 while working for Johnson Brothers Construction. Johnson had workers’ compensation insurance coverage from the Liberty Northwest Insurance Corp., which accepted liability for the ...