Access to medical care for occupational disorders: difficulties and disparities.

Despite state laws guaranteeing full insurance coverage for work-related disorders, many injured workers have difficulty obtaining access to appropriate medical care. Barriers to access arise because: patients are unable to prove that their conditions are caused occupationally; they are discouraged by employers from reporting occupational injuries; workers' compensation insurance carriers aggressively contest claims; and other reasons. Evidence suggests that minority subpopulations of workers are most affected. Overcoming these barriers will require a multifaceted approach involving regulatory oversight, participation of workers in the design of health plans and the selection of providers, and specific measures to detect and prohibit discriminatory care.