Commissioner's Bulletin # B-0010-20, Coronavirus (COVID-19) - workers' compensation issues

The record

Jurisdiction

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation (State workers' compensation regulator and adjudicator; statewide) · Texas

Level

Court

Authority

Tex. Lab. Code §§ 402.00111, 402.061 (Commissioner's administrative and rulemaking authority); Tex. Gov't Code § 418.016 (Governor's suspension authority under the Mar. 13, 2020 disaster declaration, recited)

Issued

2020-03-25 Mar. 25, 2020

Effective

2020-03-25

End

'for the duration of the governor's COVID-19 declaration, or until further notice from DWC' (later DWC bulletins resumed examinations; end not verified) (read as 2020-09-30)

In force

Mar. 25, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2020

Quarters

2020 Q22020 Q3

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3

Limitation types

Health care ordersCourts and public officesOther

Addressees

• all Texas workers' compensation system participants
• insurance carriers
• designated doctors and health care providers

Functions reached

• CT courts and agencies (workers' compensation dispute resolution)
• SV claims servicing (carriers' adjusting, indemnity and medical payments; pharmacy 90-day supply)
• HC health care (designated-doctor and required medical examinations suspended)
• OF office and administration

Collection

State courts AGY-ST-COURTS

Operative words

This bulletin shall be in effect for the duration of the governor's COVID-19 declaration, or until further notice from DWC.... DWC is taking the following action regarding designated doctor, required medical, and referral examinations: Ceasing orders for DD exams and holding requests.... Suspending RME, DD, and referral exams that have already been ordered. Any RME, DD, or referral exams ordered and scheduled on or before the date of this bulletin are now suspended and should not occur until further notice from DWC.... Failure to submit a timely medical bill will be deemed an exception due to a catastrophic event under Labor Code Section 408.0272(b)(2).

Enforcement

Notes