Coronavirus (COVID-19) - workers’ compensation issues

Home Bulletins Commissioner bulletins – 2020 B-0010-20 March 25, 2020 To:   All Texas workers’ compensation system participants Re:   Coronavirus (COVID-19) - workers’ compensation issues On March 13, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott declared COVID-19 a statewide public health disaster. The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is monitoring the latest developments on COVID-19 and the recommended social distancing measures as we consider the potential impact it may have on the delivery of benefits in the Texas workers’ compensation system. This bulletin shall be in effect for the duration of the governor’s COVID-19 declaration, or until further notice from DWC. Workers' compensation insurance carrier operations Workers’ compensation insurance carriers must continue or begin: providing timely claims adjusting services; processing and delivering indemnity benefits and medical payments in a timely manner; and authorizing payments to pharmacies up to a 90-day supply for any prescription medication, subject to the remaining number of days authorized by the prescribing provider, regardless of the date the prescription was most recently filled. Suspension of exams DWC is taking the following action regarding designated doctor, required medical, and referral examinations: Ceasing orders for DD exams and holding requests. If you encounter special circumstances as a result of this suspension, please contact DWC at 800-252-7031 and select option 1. 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. Tolling of medical billing deadlines 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). DWC will take into account the challenges system participants are facing when considering enforcement actions. As this issue evolves, DWC will continue to evaluate system and agency operations. If system participants are experiencing issues, contact DWC. Please refer to the DWC COVID-19 resource page for updates and follow the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations. For more information, please use the contact information below. Health care providers compconnection@tdi.texas.gov 800-252-7031, Option 3 Employers healthsafety@tdi.texas.gov 800-687-7080 512-804-4600 Hearings 512-804-4010 Questions from the media DWCCommunications@tdi.texas.gov Injured employees 800-252-7031, Option 1 Report a safety or health hazard 800-452-9595 safetyhotline@tdi.texas.gov All other questions DWCExternalRelations@tdi.texas.gov Cassie Brown Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation For more information, contact: Accessibility@tdi.texas.gov Last updated: 8/8/2023