The State of the States

Regulatory Review

A round-up of nationwide regulatory changes affecting the workers' compensation industry.
By: | July 27, 2015

California

Qualified Medical Evaluators

The Division of Workers’ Compensation proposed modifications to its proposed regulations regarding qualified medical evaluators. The modifications state that initial represented panel requests postmarked after Sept. 3 will not be accepted or processed by the medical unit for initial represented panel requests only. The last day to mail in panel requests will be Sept. 3. Effective Oct. 1, all initial panel requests must be submitted electronically.

Under the proposed modifications, parties will have 10 days from service of the panel list to strike a doctor. Also, disputes regarding the validity of panel requests must be resolved by a workers’ compensation judge. Disputes regarding the appropriateness of the specialty designated must be resolved by the medical director. Either party may appeal the decision with a workers’ compensation judge.

Medical Billing and Payment Guide

The Division of Workers’ Compensation proposed to modify rules to transition from the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision diagnosis and inpatient procedure coding systems to the ICD-10 diagnosis and inpatient procedure systems. The change will go into effect on Oct. 1. The proposed amendments also adopt new forms and amend the medical billing and payment guide to adopt the ICD-10 code tables and index. Additional updates were proposed to the medical billing and payment guide to adopt more current versions of instruction manuals for professional and facility paper billing forms and updated dental codes.

Colorado

Medical Fee Schedule

The Division of Workers’ Compensation proposed amendments to rules regarding the medical fee schedule. The rules revise the standard terminology and the administrative procedures and requirements necessary to implement the medical treatment guidelines and medical fee schedule. The proposed rule amendments also update the language of the medical fee schedule, revise the billing codes systems, and update the fees and relative values. The amendments also revise the medical requirements, procedures, and payments as they relate to the medical fee schedule.

Maine

Medical Fees

The Workers’ Compensation Board proposed to repeal and replace a rule regarding medical fees and amend rules regarding formal hearings and expenses and fees.

The rule states that in the event that the employer or insurer contends that the medical records and information, preexisting and subsequent to the workplace injury, are relevant for determination of compensability and disability, it may obtain from the worker and the employee is obliged to within 14 calendar days execute a limited authorization for focused written medical records. Also, an employer or insurer must pay a worker’s travel expenses incurred for medical treatment, including actual costs for overnight lodging, parking, tolls, and public transportation if accompanied by a receipt.

New York

Fees

The Workers’ Compensation Board announced the elimination of a number of fees. Starting April 1, fees for licensing compensation medical bureaus and laboratories were eliminated. Fees were also eliminated for physician arbitration, psychologist arbitration, chiropractor arbitration, and podiatrist arbitration. Licensed third-party administrator fees and licensed hearing representative fees were also eliminated.

Ohio

Claims Procedure Rules

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation proposed amendments to the claims procedure rules regarding lump-sum advancements. The rule states that an injured worker or surviving spouse must file an application requesting a lump-sum advancement with the bureau. The injured worker or surviving spouse must provide proof that the lump-sum advancement is advisable for the purpose of providing financial relief or furthering the injured worker’s rehabilitation. The bureau will not grant a lump-sum advancement in a claim where the allowance of the award of compensation is on appeal.

Oregon

Medical Services

The Workers’ Compensation Division proposed amendments to rules regarding medical services. The rules clarify that the dispute record packet must include certification whether there is or is not an issue of compensability of the underlying claim or condition. The rules limit the denial of reimbursement based on the late submission of a treatment plan by an ancillary service provider to those services provided before the treatment plan is sent.

The amendments also require that an insurer approve or disapprove a health care provider’s request for preauthorization of a diagnostic study within 14 days of receipt of the request. The division scheduled a public hearing on July 21 at 9 a.m. at 350 Winter Street NE, Room B, in Salem.

Washington

Penalties

The Department of Labor and Industries amended rules to meet new measures for calculating penalties set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The amendments add a minimum penalty amount of $2,500 for violations issued when contributing to a fatality. In a rule regarding base penalty adjustments, the language was modified to state that no reduction will be given if the violations are classified as willful, repeat, failure to abate, or violations contributing to an inpatient hospitalization or a fatality. The rule also added clarifying language on how to determine an employer’s good faith. The rule goes into effect on Sept. 1.

Christina Lumbreras is a Legal Editor for Workers' Compensation Report, a publication of our parent company, LRP Publications. She can be reached at [email protected]

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