This section requires the commissioner and division to review medical care and treatment when return-to-work guidelines are exceeded, and lets the division and commissioner take further implementation steps.
Sec. 413.018. REVIEW OF MEDICAL CARE IF GUIDELINES EXCEEDED. (a) The commissioner by rule shall provide for the periodic review of medical care provided in claims in which guidelines for expected or average return to work time frames are exceeded. (b) The division shall review the medical treatment provided in a claim that exceeds the guidelines and may take appropriate action to ensure that necessary and reasonable care is provided. (c) The division shall implement a program to encourage employers and treating doctors to discuss the availability of modified duty to encourage the safe and more timely return to work of injured employees. The division may require a treating or examining doctor, on the request of the employer, insurance carrier, or division, to provide a functional capacity evaluation of an injured employee and to determine the employee's ability to engage in physical activities found in the workplace or in activities that are required in a modified duty setting. (d) The division shall provide through the division's health and safety information and medical review outreach programs information to employers regarding effective return to work programs. This section does not require an employer to provide modified duty or an employee to accept a modified duty assignment. An employee who does not accept an employer's offer of modified duty determined by the division to be a bona fide job offer is subject to Section 408.103(e). (e) The commissioner may adopt rules and forms as necessary to implement this section. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 956, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 265 (H.B. 7), Sec. 3.241, eff. September 1, 2005.