§ 62-4-1 — Medical and hospital expense.

The employer shall provide necessary first aid, medical, surgical, and hospital services, or other suitable and proper care including medical and surgical supplies, apparatus, artificial members, and body aids during the disability or treatment of an employee within the provisions of this title. Repair or replacement of damaged prosthetic devices is compensable and is considered a medical service under this section if the devices were damaged or destroyed in a work related accident. Repair or replacement of damaged hearing aids, dentures, prescription eyeglasses, eyeglass frames, or contact lenses is considered a medical service under this section if the hearing aids, dentures, prescription eyeglasses, eyeglass frames, or contact lenses were damaged or destroyed in an accident which also causes another injury which is compensable under this law. The employee shall have the initial selection to secure the employee's own physician, surgeon, or hospital services at the employer's expense. If the employee selects a health care provider located in a community not the home or workplace of the employee, and a health care provider is available to provide the services needed by the employee in the local community or in a closer community, no travel expenses need be paid by the employer or the employer's insurer.

Legislative History

SDC 1939, § 64.0401; SL 1939, ch 297, § 1; SL 1943, ch 314; SL 1949, ch 442; SL 1951, ch 468; SL 1959, ch 455; SL 1963, ch 458; SL 1965, ch 305; SL 1969, ch 285; SL 1970, ch 277; SL 1971, ch 280; SL 1973, ch 310, § 1; SL 1989, ch 451, § 1; SL 1990, ch 416, § 1; SL 1993, ch 375, § 39A; SL 1993, ch 381, § 1; SL 1999, ch 261, § 4.