Which action is proper when an employee unreasonably refuses medical treatment and the employer seeks to suspend benefits?

• A. Stop payments
• B. End benefits and close case
• C. Continue payments and dismiss
• D. Continue payments and suspend benefits for unreasonable refusal of treatment

Answer: (D)

When an employee unreasonably refuses medically necessary treatment, the employer may pause the portion of benefits that are tied to ongoing disability while continuing other benefits and the prescribed medical care. The reason is to encourage compliance with a treatment plan that could relieve or cure the injury, without depriving the employee of medical care already authorized or of benefits not dependent on the treatment decision.

So, the proper action is to continue payments that are not contingent on accepting the treatment, while suspending the benefits that depend on the continued disability due to not following the recommended treatment. If the employee later agrees to the treatment, the suspended benefits can resume. This approach targets the specific issue (unreasonable refusal) without terminating all benefits or denying medical care.