Opinion ID: 2445170
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: necessary and reasonable medical expenses

Text: Next, Frontier argues that the plaintiff failed to prove the reasonableness and necessity of the medical expenses. Tennessee Code Annotated, § 50-6-204 provides: (a)(1) The employer or his agent shall furnish free of charge to the employee such medical and surgical treatment, medicine, medical and surgical supplies, crutches, artificial members, and other apparatus, including prescription eyeglasses and eye wear, such nursing services as ordered by the attending physician and hospitalization, including such dental work made reasonably necessary by accident as herein defined, as may be reasonably required; ... ... . (4) The injured employee shall accept the medical benefits afforded hereunder; provided, that the employer shall designate a group of three (3) or more reputable physicians or surgeons not associated together in practice if available in that community from which the injured employee shall have the privilege of selecting the operating surgeon or the attending physician; and provided further, that the liability of the employer for such services rendered the employee shall be limited to such charges as prevail for similar treatment in the community where the injured employee resides... . ... . (b) Where the nature of the injury or occupational disease, as defined in § 50-6-102, is such that it does not disable the employee but reasonably requires medical, surgical or dental treatment or care, medicine, surgery and dental treatment, medicine, medical and surgical supplies, crutches, artificial members, and other apparatus shall be furnished by the employer. (Emphasis added.) The Chancellor ordered Frontier to pay the following medical expenses, finding they were reasonable and necessary: Dr. Timothy Schoettle  $ 405.00 Howell/Allen Physiotherapy  1,406.95 Radiology Consultants  678.00 Westmoreland Drug Store  336.90 Parkview Hospital  726.20 Our examination of the record shows there was proof by Dr. Schoettle of the necessity of the medical expenses incurred, but, except for those expenses provided by Dr. Schoettle, there was no proof of the reasonableness of the plaintiff's medical expenses. On the other hand, Frontier did not comply with the statute by posting a list of three designated physicians, nor did it object to the plaintiff's choice of a physician. We have held that an employer who attempts to claim the benefits of Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-204 must also comply with the statute. Bond v. American Air Filter, 692 S.W.2d 638, 641 (Tenn. 1985). We have also held that there should be a presumption that treatment furnished by physicians designated by the employer is necessary and the charges reasonable. Russell v. Genesco, Inc., 651 S.W.2d 206, 211 (Tenn. 1983). Since Frontier failed to designate three approved physicians, the plaintiff was justified in seeking medical treatment from her own physicians. There is no evidence that the charges for the medical treatment rendered by those physicians were unreasonable. Under these circumstances, we find no error in the Chancellor's award of medical expenses to the employee.