In a scenario involving on-the-job exposure, which payer is typically responsible for ED charges?

• A. Worker's compensation
• B. Employer health plan
• C. Private auto
• D. No fault

Answer: (A)

When a exposure happens on the job, workers’ compensation is the payer that normally handles the medical costs, including an emergency department visit. This system is designed to cover work-related injuries regardless of fault, so the ED charges are billed to the employer’s workers’ compensation insurer rather than the employee’s private health plan. The provider will typically verify and file a workers’ comp claim to ensure proper payment. Other payers aren’t usually involved in this scenario: an employer health plan would be secondary or not applicable for a clearly work-related injury, and private auto or no-fault auto coverage applies mainly to vehicle-related incidents, not standard workplace exposures.