65-04-04.4. Medical expense assessments

65-04-04.4. Medical expense assessments The employer shall reimburse the organization for all medical expenses related to a compensable injury to an employee if the expenses do not exceed two hundred fifty dollars and shall reimburse the organization for the first two hundred fifty dollars of medical expenses when the expenses exceed two hundred fifty dollars. If a claim for benefits is filed with the organization by midnight central time on the first business day following the workplace injury, the organization shall pay the first two hundred fifty dollars of medical expenses. A claim is filed by submitting a form furnished by the organization or by another method designated by the organization. If a claim for benefits is filed with the organization more than fourteen days from the date the employer received notice of the workplace injury from the employee, the employer shall reimburse the organization for the first three hundred fifty dollars of medical expenses if the expenses exceed three hundred fifty dollars. If the organization determines the claim is compensable, the organization shall pay the medical expenses associated with the claim and notify the employer of payments to be made by the employer under this section. If the employer does not pay the organization within thirty days of notice by the organization, the organization may impose a penalty on that employer. The penalty may not exceed one hundred twenty-five percent of the payment owed by the employer. The organization shall collect the penalty in a civil action against the employer and deposit the money in the fund. An employer may not directly or indirectly charge an injured employee for any payment the employer makes on a claim. Except as otherwise provided, if the cost of an injured employee's medical treatment exceeds two hundred fifty dollars, the organization shall pay all further medical expenses. This section is effective for all compensable injuries that occur after July 31, 1995. This section does not apply to compensable injuries paid under sections 65-06.2-04 and 65-06.2-08.