Texas Register

TITLE 28 INSURANCE
PART 2TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, DIVISION OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION
CHAPTER 134BENEFITS--GUIDELINES FOR MEDICAL SERVICES, CHARGES, AND PAYMENTS
SUBCHAPTER CMEDICAL FEE GUIDELINES
RULE §134.240Designated Doctor Examinations
ISSUE 03/18/2016
ACTION Proposed
Preamble Texas Admin Code Rule

The following shall apply to designated doctor examinations.

  (1)Designated doctors shall perform examinations in accordance with Labor Code §§408.004, 408.0041, and 408.151 and division rules, and shall be billed and reimbursed as follows:

    (A)Impairment caused by the compensable injury shall be billed and reimbursed in accordance with §134.250 of this title, and the use of the additional modifier "W5" is the first modifier to be applied when performed by a designated doctor;

    (B)Attainment of maximum medical improvement shall be billed and reimbursed in accordance with §134.250 of this title, and the use of the additional modifier "W5" is the first modifier to be applied when performed by a designated doctor;

    (C)Extent of the employee's compensable injury shall be billed and reimbursed in accordance with §134.235 of this title, with the use of the additional modifier "W6;"

    (D)Whether the injured employee's disability is a direct result of the work-related injury shall be billed and reimbursed in accordance with §134.235 of this title, with the use of the additional modifier "W7;"

    (E)Ability of the employee to return to work shall be billed and reimbursed in accordance with §134.235 of this title, with the use of the additional modifier "W8"; and

    (F)Issues similar to those described in subparagraphs (A) - (E) of this paragraph shall be billed and reimbursed in accordance with §134.235 of this title, with the use of the additional modifier "W9."

  (2)When multiple examinations under the same specific division order are performed concurrently under paragraph (1)(C) - (F) of this section:

    (A)the first examination shall be reimbursed at 100 percent of the set fee outlined in §134.235 of this title;

    (B)the second examination shall be reimbursed at 50 percent of the set fee outlined in §134.235 of this title; and

    (C)subsequent examinations shall be reimbursed at 25 percent of the set fee outlined in §134.235 of this title.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 4, 2016

TRD-201601114

Marisa Lopez Wagley

Acting General Counsel

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 17, 2016

For further information, please call: (512) 804-4703



Next Page Previous Page

Link to Texas Secretary of State Home Page | link to Texas Register home page | link to Texas Administrative Code home page | link to Open Meetings home page