An employee suffers a proximal joint finger amputation and his prescription glasses are broken. Which should be paid?

An employee suffers a proximal joint finger amputation and his prescription glasses are broken. Which should be paid?

• A. Repair of the glasses only
• B. The amputation only
• C. Prorate the glasses over the time the employee has owned them
• D. Both the glasses and the finger amputation

Answer: (D)

When a work-related injury occurs, medical benefits cover anything necessary to cure or relieve the effects of the injury, including devices and prosthetics if they’re damaged or required because of the injury. A proximal finger amputation is a loss of a body part, which triggers medical treatment and often permanent disability considerations, plus any prosthetic needs. If the employee’s prescription glasses are broken because of the same incident, replacement of those glasses is also a medically necessary device tied to the injury. So both the glasses and the finger amputation-related care fall under medical benefits. Prorating the glasses or paying only one part would understate the medical needs created by the injury. The proper coverage is for both items to be paid.

When a work-related injury occurs, medical benefits cover anything necessary to cure or relieve the effects of the injury, including devices and prosthetics if they’re damaged or required because of the injury. A proximal finger amputation is a loss of a body part, which triggers medical treatment and often permanent disability considerations, plus any prosthetic needs. If the employee’s prescription glasses are broken because of the same incident, replacement of those glasses is also a medically necessary device tied to the injury.

So both the glasses and the finger amputation-related care fall under medical benefits. Prorating the glasses or paying only one part would understate the medical needs created by the injury. The proper coverage is for both items to be paid.