The treating physician providing continuing treatment is required to provide you with a medical report within how many days?

• A. 45 days
• B. 30 days
• C. 60 days
• D. 90 days

Answer: (A)

The time frame is set to ensure the employee and the insurer have timely, documented evidence of ongoing care. The treating physician must provide a medical progress report within 45 days of starting or continuing treatment. This window strikes a balance: it gives enough time to conduct proper assessments, review records, and document the patient’s current condition and plan, while still keeping communication prompt enough to support decisions about continuing or adjusting treatment.

A well-constructed report should cover the diagnoses or conditions being treated, the treatment provided or planned, medications, any work-related functional limitations, prognosis, and any changes to the treatment plan or next steps. This helps determine whether continuing treatment is appropriate and supports timely decisions on authorization and billing.

Choosing a shorter period, like 30 days, might not give enough time for a complete, accurate report. Longer periods, such as 60 or 90 days, could delay important decisions about care.