Finding Doctor Tougher With Oregon Ruling

A new workers’ compensation ruling by the state may make it a little toughter to find a doctor to treat injuries on the job.

Doctors, physical therapists and other medical providers have been firing e-mails at the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division since its July 7 ruling on how fees are paid.

The providers warn they might start refusing workers’ compensation cases if the decision stands.

But the agency’s chief defends the ruling as necessary.

Division administrator John Shilts said the dispute is over contracts that doctors signed to join “preferred provider organizations” that negotiate lower fees in exchange for more patient referrals.