Neb. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 48
Nebraska Revised Statutes

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (2026)

Medical, surgical, and hospital services; employer's liability; fee schedule; physician, right to select; procedures; powers and duties; court; powers; dispute resolution procedure; managed care plan

✓ current as of July 2026
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(1)(a) The employer is liable for all reasonable medical, surgical, and hospital services, including plastic surgery or reconstructive surgery but not cosmetic surgery when the injury has caused disfigurement, appliances, supplies, prosthetic devices, and medicines as and when needed, which are required by the nature of the injury and which will relieve pain or promote and hasten the employee's restoration to health and employment, and includes damage to or destruction of artificial members, dental appliances, teeth, hearing instruments, and eyeglasses, but, in the case of dental appliances, hearing instruments, or eyeglasses, only if such damage or destruction resulted from an accident which also caused personal injury entitling the employee to compensation therefor for disability or treatment, subject to the approval of and regulation by the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, not to exceed the regular charge made for such service in similar cases.

(b) Except as provided in section 48-120.04, the compensation court shall establish schedules of fees for such services. The compensation court shall review such schedules at least biennially and adopt appropriate changes when necessary. The compensation court may contract with any person, firm, corporation, organization, or government agency to secure adequate data to establish such fees. The compensation court shall publish and furnish to the public the fee schedules established pursuant to this subdivision and section 48-120.04. The compensation court may establish and charge a fee to recover the cost of published fee schedules.

(c) Reimbursement for inpatient hospital services provided by hospitals located in or within fifteen miles of a Nebraska city of the metropolitan class or primary class and by other hospitals with fifty-one or more licensed beds shall be according to the Diagnostic Related Group inpatient hospital fee schedule or the trauma services inpatient hospital fee schedule established in section 48-120.04.

(d) A workers' compensation insurer, risk management pool, self-insured employer, or managed care plan certified pursuant to section 48-120.02 may contract with a provider or provider network for medical, surgical, or hospital services. Such contract may establish fees for services different than the fee schedules established under subdivision (1)(b) of this section or established under section 48-120.04. Such contract shall be in writing and mutually agreed upon prior to the date services are provided.

(e) The provider or supplier of such services shall not collect or attempt to collect from any employer, insurer, government, or injured employee or dependent or the estate of any injured or deceased employee any amount in excess of (i) the fee established by the compensation court for any such service, (ii) the fee established under section 48-120.04, or (iii) the fee contracted under subdivision (1)(d) of this section, including any finance charge or late penalty.

(2)(a) The employee has the right to select a physician who has maintained the employee's medical records prior to an injury and has a documented history of treatment with the employee prior to an injury or a physician who has maintained the medical records of an immediate family member of the employee prior to an injury and has a documented history of treatment with an immediate family member of the employee prior to an injury. For purposes of this subsection, immediate family member means the employee's spouse, children, parents, stepchildren, and stepparents. The employer shall notify the employee following an injury of such right of selection in a form and manner and within a timeframe established by the compensation court. If the employer fails to notify the employee of such right of selection or fails to notify the employee of such right of selection in a form and manner and within a timeframe established by the compensation court, then the employee has the right to select a physician. If the employee fails to exercise such right of selection in a form and manner and within a timeframe established by the compensation court following notice by the employer pursuant to this subsection, then the employer has the right to select the physician. If selection of the initial physician is made by the employee or employer pursuant to this subsection following notice by the employer pursuant to this subsection, the employee or employer shall not change the initial selection of physician made pursuant to this subsection unless such change is agreed to by the employee and employer or is ordered by the compensation court pursuant to subsection (6) of this section. If compensability is denied by the workers' compensation insurer, risk management pool, or self-insured employer, (i) the employee has the right to select a physician and shall not be made to enter a managed care plan and (ii) the employer is liable for medical, surgical, and hospital services subsequently found to be compensable. If the employer has exercised the right to select a physician pursuant to this subsection and if the compensation court subsequently orders reasonable medical services previously refused to be furnished to the employee by the physician selected by the employer, the compensation court shall allow the employee to select another physician to furnish further medical services. If the employee selects a physician located in a community not the home or place of work of the employee and a physician is available in the local community or in a closer community, no travel expenses shall be required to be paid by the employer or his or her workers' compensation insurer.

(b) In cases of injury requiring dismemberment or injuries involving major surgical operation, the employee may designate to his or her employer the physician or surgeon to perform the operation.

(c) If the injured employee unreasonably refuses or neglects to avail himself or herself of medical or surgical treatment furnished by the employer, except as herein and otherwise provided, the employer is not liable for an aggravation of such injury due to such refusal and neglect and the compensation court or judge thereof may suspend, reduce, or limit the compensation otherwise payable under the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act.

(d) If, due to the nature of the injury or its occurrence away from the employer's place of business, the employee or the employer is unable to select a physician using the procedures provided by this subsection, the selection requirements of this subsection shall not apply as long as the inability to make a selection persists.

(e) The physician selected may arrange for any consultation, referral, or extraordinary or other specialized medical services as the nature of the injury requires.

(f) The employer is not responsible for medical services furnished or ordered by any physician or other person selected by the employee in disregard of this section. Except as otherwise provided by the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act, the employer is not liable for medical, surgical, or hospital services or medicines if the employee refuses to allow them to be furnished by the employer.

(3) No claim for such medical treatment is valid and enforceable unless, within fourteen days following the first treatment, the physician giving such treatment furnishes the employer a report of such injury and treatment on a form prescribed by the compensation court. The compensation court may excuse the failure to furnish such report within fourteen days when it finds it to be in the interest of justice to do so.

(4) All physicians and other providers of medical services attending injured employees shall comply with all the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the compensation court and shall make such reports as may be required by it at any time and at such times as required by it upon the condition or treatment of any injured employee or upon any other matters concerning cases in which they are employed. All medical and hospital information relevant to the particular injury shall, on demand, be made available to the employer, the employee, the workers' compensation insurer, and the compensation court. The party requesting such medical and hospital information shall pay the cost thereof. No such relevant information developed in connection with treatment or examination for which compensation is sought shall be considered a privileged communication for purposes of a workers' compensation claim. When a physician or other provider of medical services willfully fails to make any report required of him or her under this section, the compensation court may order the forfeiture of his or her right to all or part of payment due for services rendered in connection with the particular case.

(5) Whenever the compensation court deems it necessary, in order to assist it in resolving any issue of medical fact or opinion, it shall cause the employee to be examined by a physician or physicians selected by the compensation court and obtain from such physician or physicians a report upon the condition or matter which is the subject of inquiry. The compensation court may charge the cost of such examination to the workers' compensation insurer. The cost of such examination shall include the payment to the employee of all necessary and reasonable expenses incident to such examination, such as transportation and loss of wages.

(6) The compensation court shall have the authority to determine the necessity, character, and sufficiency of any medical services furnished or to be furnished and shall have authority to order a change of physician, hospital, rehabilitation facility, or other medical services when it deems such change is desirable or necessary. Any dispute regarding medical, surgical, or hospital services furnished or to be furnished under this section may be submitted by the parties, the supplier of such service, or the compensation court on its own motion for informal dispute resolution by a staff member of the compensation court or an outside mediator pursuant to section 48-168. In addition, any party or the compensation court on its own motion may submit such a dispute for a medical finding by an independent medical examiner pursuant to section 48-134.01. Issues submitted for informal dispute resolution or for a medical finding by an independent medical examiner may include, but are not limited to, the reasonableness and necessity of any medical treatment previously provided or to be provided to the injured employee. The compensation court may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations regarding informal dispute resolution or the submission of disputes to an independent medical examiner that are considered necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.

(7) For the purpose of this section, physician has the same meaning as in section 48-151.

(8) The compensation court shall order the employer to make payment directly to the supplier of any services provided for in this section or reimbursement to anyone who has made any payment to the supplier for services provided in this section. No such supplier or payor may be made or become a party to any action before the compensation court.

(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a workers' compensation insurer, risk management pool, or self-insured employer may contract for medical, surgical, hospital, and rehabilitation services to be provided through a managed care plan certified pursuant to section 48-120.02. Once liability for medical, surgical, and hospital services has been accepted or determined, the employer may require that employees subject to the contract receive medical, surgical, and hospital services in the manner prescribed in the contract, except that an employee may receive services from a physician selected by the employee pursuant to subsection (2) of this section if the physician so selected agrees to refer the employee to the managed care plan for any other treatment that the employee may require and if the physician so selected agrees to comply with all the rules, terms, and conditions of the managed care plan. If compensability is denied by the workers' compensation insurer, risk management pool, or self-insured employer, the employee may leave the managed care plan and the employer is liable for medical, surgical, and hospital services previously provided. The workers' compensation insurer, risk management pool, or self-insured employer shall give notice to employees subject to the contract of eligible service providers and such other information regarding the contract and manner of receiving medical, surgical, and hospital services under the managed care plan as the compensation court may prescribe.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 118 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 1935–2024 · leading case: Rogers v. Jack's Supper Club, 304 Neb. 605 (Neb. 2019).
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Rogers v. Jack's Supper Club, 304 Neb. 605 (Neb. 2019). · cites it 32× “It rejected JSC’s argument that it was not responsible for the medical expenses because Rogers failed to comply with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (2) (Cum. Supp. 2018), a statute governing selection of treating physicians.”
Spiker v. John Day Co., 270 N.W.2d 300 (Neb. 1978). · cites it 52× “At the time of the accident on August 11, 1971, section 48-120, R.R.S.1943, provided in part as follows: "The employer shall be liable for reasonable medical and hospital services and medicines as and when needed, and in addition to devices necessary for treatment, the first…”
Carr v. Ganz, 26 Neb. Ct. App. 14 (Neb. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 16× “ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR Carr assigns, restated, that the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court erred as a matter of law in determining his coronary artery bypass procedure was not compensable under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (Cum. Supp. 2016).”
Kimminau v. Uribe Refuse Serv. & EMC Ins., 707 N.W.2d 229 (Neb. 2005). · cites it 10× “In Dawes , one of the issues presented to this court was whether the Workers’ Compensation Court had erred in directing the claimant’s employer to directly reimburse the claimant’s health insurance carrier for medical and hospital expenses paid by the insurer on the claimant’s…”
Bower v. Eaton Corp., 301 Neb. 311 (Neb. 2018). · cites it 6× “29 Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (1)(a) (Cum. Supp.”
Foote v. O'Neill Packing, 632 N.W.2d 313 (Neb. 2001). · cites it 13× “Authority to Order Future Medical Payments The statutory provisions in effect at the time of Foote’s accident and subsequent award in the compensation court are found at Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (1) and (6) (Reissue 1993) and state, in pertinent part: (1) The employer shall be…”
Bituminous Cas. Corp. v. Deyle, 451 N.W.2d 910 (Neb. 1990). · cites it 16× “See Neb.Rev.Stat. § 48-120 (Reissue 1988) (employer's liability for employee's medical expenses).”
Martinez v. Cmr Constr. & Roofing of Texas, 302 Neb. 618 (Neb. 2019). · cites it 4× “) The Legislature's use of the word "or," in the context of § 48-120, indicates that the employer is liable for reasonable medical expenses to both relieve pain and promote and hasten the restoration of health and employment.”
Kerkman v. Weidner Williams Roofing Co., 547 N.W.2d 152 (Neb. 1996). · cites it 10× “ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR Summarized, Kerkman’s assigned errors are that the court erred (1) by requiring Kerkman as an injured worker to prove that without the care in question he would “be at risk of grave danger or injury” (emphasis omitted) before the care was compensable under…”
Lewis v. MBC Constr. Co., 309 Neb. 726 (Neb. 2021). · cites it 14× “As an initial matter, we set forth our statutory and case law on Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (Cum. Supp. 2020) as it applies to housing accommodations.”
Walsh v. City of Omaha, 660 N.W.2d 187 (Neb. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 8× “Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (9) (Cum. Supp. 2002) and § 48-120.”
Snipes v. Vickers, 557 N.W.2d 662 (Neb. 1997). · cites it 12× “Snipes alleges that the medical expense is payable as a reasonable and necessary medical expense as provided for in Neb.Rev.Stat. § 48-120 (Reissue 1993) and is not barred by the statute of limitations, since it did not commence because Snipes had no compensable claim to make…”
Show all 118 citing cases →
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(1) — 6 cases
Carr v. Ganz, 26 Neb. Ct. App. 14 (Neb. Ct. App. 2018). “ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR Carr assigns, restated, that the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court erred as a matter of law in determining his coronary artery bypass procedure was not compensable under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (Cum. Supp. 2016).”
Foote v. O'Neill Packing, 632 N.W.2d 313 (Neb. 2001). “Authority to Order Future Medical Payments The statutory provisions in effect at the time of Foote’s accident and subsequent award in the compensation court are found at Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (1) and (6) (Reissue 1993) and state, in pertinent part: (1) The employer shall be…”
Visoso v. Cargill Meat Solutions, 778 N.W.2d 504 (Neb. Ct. App. 2009).
Snipes v. Vickers, 557 N.W.2d 662 (Neb. 1997). “Snipes alleges that the medical expense is payable as a reasonable and necessary medical expense as provided for in Neb.Rev.Stat. § 48-120 (Reissue 1993) and is not barred by the statute of limitations, since it did not commence because Snipes had no compensable claim to make…”
Miller v. E.M.C. Ins. Companies, 610 N.W.2d 398 (Neb. 2000).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(1)(a) — 12 cases
Martinez v. Cmr Constr. & Roofing of Texas, 302 Neb. 618 (Neb. 2019). “) The Legislature's use of the word "or," in the context of § 48-120, indicates that the employer is liable for reasonable medical expenses to both relieve pain and promote and hasten the restoration of health and employment.”
Adams v. Cargill Meat Solutions, 774 N.W.2d 761 (Neb. Ct. App. 2009).
Carr v. Ganz, 26 Neb. Ct. App. 14 (Neb. Ct. App. 2018). “ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR Carr assigns, restated, that the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court erred as a matter of law in determining his coronary artery bypass procedure was not compensable under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (Cum. Supp. 2016).”
Lewis v. MBC Constr. Co., 309 Neb. 726 (Neb. 2021). “As an initial matter, we set forth our statutory and case law on Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (Cum. Supp. 2020) as it applies to housing accommodations.”
Manchester v. Drivers Mgmt., LLC, 775 N.W.2d 179 (Neb. 2009).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(2) — 3 cases
Rogers v. Jack's Supper Club, 304 Neb. 605 (Neb. 2019). “It rejected JSC’s argument that it was not responsible for the medical expenses because Rogers failed to comply with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (2) (Cum. Supp. 2018), a statute governing selection of treating physicians.”
Rogers v. Jack's Supper Club, 308 Neb. 107 (Neb. 2021).
Gittins v. Windstream Corp. (Neb. Ct. App. 2015).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(2)(a) — 3 cases
Rogers v. Jack's Supper Club, 304 Neb. 605 (Neb. 2019). “It rejected JSC’s argument that it was not responsible for the medical expenses because Rogers failed to comply with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (2) (Cum. Supp. 2018), a statute governing selection of treating physicians.”
Fentress v. Westin, Inc., 304 Neb. 619 (Neb. 2019).
Smith v. Nebraska Med. Ctr. (Neb. Ct. App. 2013).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(2)(c) — 3 cases
Lowe v. Drivers Mgmt., Inc., 743 N.W.2d 82 (Neb. 2007).
Straub v. City of Scottsbluff, 784 N.W.2d 886 (Neb. 2010).
Boger v. Magnus Co. (Neb. Ct. App. 2014).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(2)(e) — 2 cases
Rogers v. Jack's Supper Club, 304 Neb. 605 (Neb. 2019). “It rejected JSC’s argument that it was not responsible for the medical expenses because Rogers failed to comply with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (2) (Cum. Supp. 2018), a statute governing selection of treating physicians.”
Fentress v. Westin, Inc., 304 Neb. 619 (Neb. 2019).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(2)(f) — 2 cases
Rogers v. Jack's Supper Club, 304 Neb. 605 (Neb. 2019). “It rejected JSC’s argument that it was not responsible for the medical expenses because Rogers failed to comply with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (2) (Cum. Supp. 2018), a statute governing selection of treating physicians.”
Gittins v. Windstream Corp. (Neb. Ct. App. 2015).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(4) — 1 case
Scott v. Drivers Mgmt., Inc., 714 N.W.2d 23 (Neb. Ct. App. 2006).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(5) — 1 case
Owen v. Am. Hydraulics, Inc., 578 N.W.2d 57 (Neb. 1998).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(6) — 5 cases
Rogers v. Jack's Supper Club, 304 Neb. 605 (Neb. 2019). “It rejected JSC’s argument that it was not responsible for the medical expenses because Rogers failed to comply with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (2) (Cum. Supp. 2018), a statute governing selection of treating physicians.”
Foote v. O'Neill Packing, 632 N.W.2d 313 (Neb. 2001). “Authority to Order Future Medical Payments The statutory provisions in effect at the time of Foote’s accident and subsequent award in the compensation court are found at Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (1) and (6) (Reissue 1993) and state, in pertinent part: (1) The employer shall be…”
Zitterkopf v. Aulick Indus., 753 N.W.2d 370 (Neb. Ct. App. 2008).
Kubik v. Union Ins., 550 N.W.2d 691 (Neb. Ct. App. 1996).
Rogers v. Jack's Supper Club, 308 Neb. 107 (Neb. 2021).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(8) — 3 cases
Kimminau v. Uribe Refuse Serv. & EMC Ins., 707 N.W.2d 229 (Neb. 2005). “In Dawes , one of the issues presented to this court was whether the Workers’ Compensation Court had erred in directing the claimant’s employer to directly reimburse the claimant’s health insurance carrier for medical and hospital expenses paid by the insurer on the claimant’s…”
Bower v. Eaton Corp., 301 Neb. 311 (Neb. 2018). “29 Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (1)(a) (Cum. Supp.”
Bower v. Eaton Corp., 301 Neb. 311 (Neb. 2018).
— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120(9) — 1 case
Walsh v. City of Omaha, 660 N.W.2d 187 (Neb. Ct. App. 2003). “Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-120 (9) (Cum. Supp. 2002) and § 48-120.”
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