A recent study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine threw out a number that just doesn’t add up: only 15% of Georgia workers’ compensation claims involving medical treatment used telehealth services in 2025. It’s a shockingly low figure, especially when you consider how much telehealth could help injured workers and the entire Georgia system. So why are so few injured people in Georgia getting remote care for their injuries?
Key Takeaways
- An incredibly low 15% of Georgia workers’ comp medical treatments used telehealth in 2025, which means the system is failing to use a valuable tool.
- Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. Section 34-9-201, absolutely allows telehealth for work injuries (for initial visits and follow-ups), and many services don’t need prior authorization from the State Board.
- Telehealth slashes travel time and out-of-pocket costs for injured workers, a massive benefit for people in rural parts of Georgia or who have trouble getting around, and it opens up access to specialists.
- Real-world problems like poor internet access, not being tech-savvy, and pushback from employers and insurance companies are blocking wider telehealth use in Georgia’s workers’ comp system.
- To get around these issues, injured workers need to be proactive, asking their authorized doctors about telehealth and knowing what the law says they’re entitled to.
15% Telehealth Utilization: A Missed Opportunity for Injured Workers
That 15% telehealth utilization rate comes from a deep dive into Georgia’s 2025 workers’ comp claims data. This number flies in the face of what’s happening everywhere else in healthcare, where telehealth became a mainstay during the pandemic and has stayed popular. For an injured worker, this is a huge missed opportunity. Just think about someone who got hurt in a rural county like Echols or Quitman and now has to see an orthopedic specialist in Atlanta. A single in-person appointment can wipe out an entire day with hours of driving, lost wages from being out of work, and personal costs, even with mileage reimbursement. Telehealth gets rid of most of that hassle, offering faster appointments, cutting out travel stress, and letting them recover with less disruption. Frankly, the convenience alone should be pushing this number way higher than 15%.
From what I see every day, a lot of injured workers have no idea telehealth is even on the table for their work injury. The adjuster tells them where their physical appointment is, and if the authorized treating physician doesn’t bring up a virtual option, the subject never comes up. It’s this passivity from some doctors, combined with the fact that many adjusters and employers just don’t get the full benefit of telehealth, that keeps that 15% figure stuck. The capability is there. The tech works, and Georgia law is behind it.
O.C.G.A. Section 34-9-201: Legal Framework for Telehealth
The law in Georgia is already on board with telehealth for work injuries. O.C.G.A. Section 34-9-201, the statute that controls medical treatment, is very clear that “medical, surgical, and hospital services” cover services provided through telehealth (as defined by another statute, O.C.G.A. Section 49-4-152). This is critical because it means telehealth isn’t some fringe benefit. It’s a core part of the medical treatment an injured worker has a right to. A common hang-up that stops people is the belief that you need special pre-authorization from the State Board of Workers’ Compensation for a telehealth visit, but the law doesn’t require that if the appointment itself wouldn’t normally need it.
Let’s say an injured worker had an initial in-person visit with a pain management doctor in Midtown Atlanta and now just needs a follow-up. If that specialist offers a virtual appointment, there shouldn’t be any extra red tape with the State Board. The main thing is that the care has to be medically necessary and come from the authorized treating physician or a referral from them. The Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation has also put out its own guidance backing the use of telehealth, especially for evaluations, follow-ups, and even some types of physical therapy when it makes sense. All this legal support should make providers and injured workers feel comfortable using telehealth, but the 15% stat shows it just isn’t happening.
Reduced Travel Burden: A Benefit Often Overlooked
One of the biggest, most obvious wins with telehealth is the significant reduction in travel burden, but it’s something people seem to forget. Picture a worker who hurt their back at a manufacturing plant near Albany. The authorized doctor sends them to a spine specialist in Macon, which is over an hour’s drive each way. If they have weekly physical therapy or regular check-ins, that travel time adds up fast, costing them hours, putting wear on their car, and making them miserable from sitting for so long. Telehealth changes that completely. A virtual follow-up means the worker can log on from their home in Dougherty County, saving hours of driving and preventing extra pain.
This is especially helpful for workers in rural Georgia or for those who can barely move because of their injury. It makes getting specialized care, which is mostly found in big cities like Atlanta, Augusta, or Savannah, so much more realistic. I’ve had cases where workers just give up on getting necessary follow-up care because the travel is too difficult or they can’t afford the gas which only leads to them getting worse. Telehealth is a direct fix for this problem and a powerful way to make sure everyone gets fair access to care in the workers’ comp system. It also cuts down on mileage reimbursement claims for the insurer, a cost saving that you’d think would make them push for it, but that logic doesn’t always track.
Technology Access and Digital Literacy: Persistent Hurdles
Of course, it’s not all that simple. A 2024 survey from the Georgia Department of Public Health found that approximately 12% of Georgia households still don’t have reliable broadband internet, and that number is much higher in a lot of rural counties. This digital divide is a major roadblock for injured workers trying to use telehealth. It’s one thing to offer a virtual appointment, but what if the worker doesn’t have good internet, a smartphone with a camera, or just doesn’t know how to use the telehealth software? People often assume everyone is connected, but that’s a dangerous assumption to make.
On top of that, even if someone has internet, they might get frustrated with the technical side of things, like joining a video call or figuring out why the audio isn’t working. For an injured worker who’s already stressed out, in pain, and trying to deal with a confusing workers’ compensation claim, any technological friction can be enough to make them give up. Insurers and employers sometimes use these issues as an excuse to stick with in-person visits, saying it’s too much trouble. That viewpoint just ignores the fact that these problems can be solved with a little support, some basic training, or by offering flexible alternatives like a phone call when video isn’t an option.
The Slow Pace of Provider and Insurer Adoption
To me, the most frustrating part of this is how slowly some authorized treating physicians and insurance companies are getting on board with telehealth. We don’t have hard numbers on how many workers’ comp providers offer it, but the overall 15% use rate tells the story. A lot of doctors have telehealth set up for their regular patients but don’t actively offer it to their workers’ comp cases. There’s this old-school thinking, sometimes based on outdated rules or a fear they won’t get paid, that every single step in a workers’ comp case must be done face-to-face.
Insurers and employers can be just as resistant. They might like the feeling of “control” that comes with an in-person appointment, or maybe they just don’t have a good system for handling telehealth billing. The resistance often boils down to a lack of education and a preference for doing things the way they’ve always been done, even if it’s less efficient. The State Board has tried to clarify the rules for billing and reimbursement, but that message clearly hasn’t gotten through to everyone. As long as doctors and insurers aren’t consistently offering telehealth as a good option, that 15% number won’t budge, and injured workers will pay the price.
If you’re an injured worker, you have to be your own advocate. Don’t just assume a virtual visit isn’t an option. Ask your doctor if they offer them. If your doctor says no, ask for a referral to a specialist who does. Taking that step yourself can make a huge difference in your recovery.
Telehealth is a tool that delivers faster, more accessible care for injured workers, which leads to better recoveries and a quicker return to work. The fact that its use in Georgia work injury claims was only 15% in 2025 shows there’s a long way to go in educating everyone involved in the system.
Can I use telehealth for my initial doctor’s visit after a work injury in Georgia?
Yes, absolutely. O.C.G.A. Section 34-9-201 allows telehealth for initial consultations. The key is that your authorized treating physician must offer it and agree that it’s a medically sound choice for your specific injury. You’ll need to confirm with their office.
Will my employer’s workers’ compensation insurance cover telehealth appointments?
Yes, they should. In Georgia, any medically necessary telehealth service from an authorized doctor for a work injury is compensable just like an in-person visit. The State Board of Workers’ Compensation has also provided rules for how these services should be billed.
What if my authorized treating physician doesn’t offer telehealth?
If your current doctor doesn’t do virtual visits, you should ask if they can refer you to a specialist who does. You also have the right to pick a doctor from the panel of physicians your employer gives you, so you can ask if any of those doctors offer telehealth before making your choice.
Are there any types of work injuries that cannot be treated via telehealth?
Definitely. While telehealth is great for follow-ups and consultations, some things just have to be done in person. This includes initial hands-on exams for complex injuries, diagnostic tests like X-rays or MRIs, and of course any kind of surgery or hands-on physical therapy. Your doctor will decide what’s appropriate.
How can I ensure my telehealth appointment is secure and private?
Medical providers are legally required to use secure, HIPAA-compliant software for telehealth to protect your personal health information. When you schedule the appointment, it’s fair to ask what platform they use and about its security. Also, make sure you take the call from a private space where you can’t be overheard.
