GQ Corner
Q. I have a widow that is receiving weekly death benefits. She now wants to receive them monthly. Does this have to be approved by TDI? If so, what is the process so that I can provide this information to her attorney?
A. Yes, it must be approved by DWC. Prepare the DWC-31 form. That is the form that DWC will review and either approve or deny. Before you file it, make absolutely certain that you have been paying death benefits correctly based on a complete wage statement. For the last 8 years, DWC has been conducting IBA Audits. This audit came about because carriers were filing DWC-31s and DWC discovered that the prior payments were underpaid because the carrier was paying based on incomplete wage statements that did not take into consideration non-pecuniary benefits that had been suspended.
Q. Is a nurse practitioner or PA allowed to sign the DWC-69 or does it have to be a MD?
A. No, they cannot sign a DWC-69. They are not authorized nor qualified to do so. Moreover, doctors cannot sign a DWC-69 unless they are authorized and have the qualifications. However, a licensed PA and an advanced practice registered nurse have the authority to sign DWC-73 work status reports.
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