| (a) Applicability. This section governs authorization
relating to certification of maximum medical improvement (MMI), determination
of permanent impairment, and assignment of impairment ratings in the
event that a doctor finds permanent impairment exists.
(b) Authorization. Full authorization to assign an
impairment rating and certify MMI in an instance where the injured
employee is found to have permanent impairment requires a doctor to
obtain division certification by completing the division-prescribed
impairment rating training and passing the test or meeting the training
and testing requirements for designated doctor certification under §127.100
of this title (relating to Designated Doctor Certification). To remain
certified, a doctor is required to complete follow-up training at
least every two years.
(c) Training. A doctor who has not completed the required
training under subsection (b) of this section but who has had similar
training in the American Medical Association Guides from a division-approved
vendor within the prior two years may submit the syllabus and training
materials from that course to the division for review. If the division
determines that the training is substantially the same as the division-required
training and the doctor passes the division-required test, the doctor
is fully authorized under this section. The ability to substitute
training only applies to the initial training requirement.
(d) Exceptions. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this section, a doctor who has not successfully completed training
and testing required by this section for authorization to assign impairment
ratings and certify MMI when there is permanent impairment may receive
permission by exception to do so from the division on a specific case-by-case
basis.
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §180.23 adopted to be effective March 14, 2002, 27 TexReg 1817; amended to be effective June 5, 2003, 28 TexReg 4294; amended to be effective September 1, 2012, 37 TexReg 5476; amended to be effective April 30, 2023, 48 TexReg 2133 |
