DWC News: New Interest Rate, Proposed Rule for MFDR Requests
The Division of Workers’ Compensation has announced a new fourth quarter interest rate and has proposed a new rule to allow health care providers to request medical fee dispute resolution by electronic means.
The applicable interest and discount rate for the fourth quarter will be at the rate of 3.62 percent. The rate is effective October 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Any interest payments made during this time frame should reflect this interest rate.
The Division has also announced that it is accepting public comments on a proposed rule amending Rule 133.307 to allow health care providers and pharmacy processing agents to electronically submit requests for medical fee dispute resolution (MFDR). DWC specifically requests comments on whether the agency should accept MFDR requests submitted by email.
The proposed rules will be published in the October 9, 2020, issue of the Texas Register and available at www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/index.shtml once published. The Division will also post a copy of the proposed rules on the TDI website at www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/rules/2020rules.html.
Interested stakeholders may submit written comments on the proposed rules to RuleComments@tdi.texas.gov, or by mailing or delivering their comments to:
Cynthia Guillen
DWC Legal Services, MS-4D
Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation
551 Metro Center Drive, Suite 100
Austin, Texas 78744-1645
The deadline to submit comments is 5 p.m., Central time, on November 9, 2020.
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