Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Recertification of Texas-Licensed Doctors with Designated Doctor (DD) or Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) Impairment Rating (IR) Certifications

Home Bulletins Commissioner bulletins – 2020 B-0023-20 April 22, 2020 To:   All Texas workers’ compensation system participants Re:   Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Recertification of Texas-Licensed Doctors with Designated Doctor (DD) or Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) Impairment Rating (IR) Certifications On March 13, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott declared COVID-19 a statewide public health disaster. The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is working diligently to help system participants and protect the health and safety of the public in our response to COVID-19. On March 27, 2020, Governor Abbott approved DWC’s request to suspend testing, training, and application requirements for DD and MMI/IR recertification under 28 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Sections 127.110(b)(1) and (3), 127.110(d), and 180.23. As a result, DWC will issue interim recertifications to certified Texas-licensed DDs with no relevant practice restrictions, as described in 28 TAC Section 127.110(e)(3) and MMI/IR-only doctors certified to perform examinations under 28 TAC Section 180.23. DWC will issue the interim recertifications to doctors whose prior certifications lapse March 27, 2020, through August 31, 2020. All interim recertifications will expire December 31, 2020. As this issue evolves, DWC will continue to evaluate the need to issue interim recertifications for doctors with DD and MMI/IR certifications lapsing after August 31, 2020. This bulletin is in effect for the duration of the governor’s COVID-19 declaration, or until further notice from DWC. Please continue to follow the CDC’s recommendations, and refer to the DWC COVID-19 resource page for updates, FAQs, and contact information. Cassie Brown Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation For more information, contact: Webmaster@tdi.texas.gov Last updated: 4/22/2020