DWC Amends Rule Pertinent to Telemedicine and Telehealth Services
DWC has adopted amendments to Rule 133.30, effective February 25, 2025, that significantly broaden the scope of telemedicine and telehealth services within the Texas workers’ compensation system, introducing greater flexibility and modernized healthcare delivery.
The key changes include permitting treating doctors to conduct Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) examinations through telemedicine or telehealth services under specific conditions. This shift enhances access to care for injured employees, particularly those in rural or underserved areas or those who face transportation or mobility challenges.
To conduct an MMI examination via telemedicine, certain criteria must be met. First, the injured employee must have been previously examined in person by the treating doctor for the specific condition related to the workers’ compensation claim. Additionally, the condition should be considered minor, requiring no further treatment and not resulting in any impairment. The injured employee must also consent to the remote examination.
However, there are clear limitations to the use of telemedicine for MMI evaluations. An in-person evaluation is mandatory if the examination involves assigning an impairment rating. Similarly, conditions that are not minor, require ongoing treatment, or have resulted in impairment must be evaluated face-to-face to accurately assess the injury’s extent and the employee’s recovery status.
According to DWC, these changes reflect an effort to update healthcare delivery within the workers’ compensation system by using technology to improve healthcare accessibility and streamline processes within the Texas workers’ compensation framework. The amendments incorporate lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing telemedicine and telehealth to become a standard practice that maintains continuity of care, reduces the burden on healthcare facilities, and improves the efficiency of medical evaluations.
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