An employee is injured at work and has $50,000 in medical bills. Under workers' comp, how are these bills handled?

Workers' compensation medical benefits cover ALL reasonable and necessary medical treatment for the work-related injury — with no deductible, copay, or out-of-pocket from the employee. This includes: emergency care, hospitalisation, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and ongoing care for chronic conditions from the injury. The employer (through their workers' comp carrier) pays the medical providers directly in most states. This is one of the key advantages of workers' comp over health insurance for work injuries.