DWC Announces New DD Rules and Amendments to DWC Form 32
On April 13, 2023, DWC announced implementation dates for pending changes to DD, MMI and impairment rating rules.
Certification testing for designated doctors and MMI and IR-certified doctors
Doctors who have passed the certification test on or after May 13, 2013, are no longer required to take the certification test for certifications that expire on or after April 30, 2023, the effective date of the rule change. Doctors must still take required certification training every two years. Designated doctors must continue to reapply for certification using the DWC Form-067, Designated doctor certification application every two years.
Revised DD qualifications for TBI and Multiple Fractures/Spinal Cord Injuries
DWC amended the exam qualification requirements for injured employees with traumatic brain injuries. Additional physician specialties are now qualified to examine injured employees with traumatic brain injuries. See Rule 127.130(b)(9)(B).
DWC also updated exam qualification requirements for injured employees with multiple fractures and spinal cord injuries. Doctors of chiropractic, doctors of osteopathy, or doctors of medicine can examine injured employees with multiple fractures, a single spinal fracture, or rib fractures when there is no vascular injury. Physicians with certain board specialties are qualified to evaluate any fracture or fractures, including a single spinal fracture, with vascular injury. See Rule 127.130(b)(9)(C) and (F).
The updated qualifications apply to designated doctor exams ordered on or after June 5, 2023.
Multiple certifications of MMI and IR by designated doctors
Designated doctors will no longer complete multiple certifications for injured employees when the ordered exam contains the issues of MMI, IR, and extent of injury for exams ordered on or after June 5, 2023. Designated doctors will only complete multiple certifications of MMI and IR when DWC requests it through a Presiding Officer’s Directive.
Amendments to DWC Form 32 (Request for DD Examination)
The requesting party is no longer required to provide bill reviewer information on the DWC-32.
Most prominently, the form no longer asks what diagnoses or injuries have been accepted as compensable by the Insurance Carrier.
The Carrier may still provide that information in its analysis letter to the Designated Doctor, however. This points to the extreme importance of a detailed analysis letter being provided to the Designated Doctor in advance of the appointment. If FOL can assist you in providing this information to the DD, please go to our website (www.fol.com) and click on “Designated Doctor Review”.
Requesters must use the new DWC-32 form by June 5, 2023.
FOLIO
