GQ Corner
Q. I have a request for travel reimbursement that I have received from the injured worker. Is there a deadline to pay the claimant and, do I have to pay the claimant interest if I miss that deadline?
A. Rule 134.110(e) provides that you have 45 days from the date you receive the request to pay or dispute the request for reimbursement. Travel reimbursement is not an income benefit payment. It is akin to a medical benefit reimbursement. When a medical bill is paid late, Rule 134.130 provides that interest is owed if the bill is paid on or after the 60th day after the insurance carrier originally received the complete medical bill. We recommend that you follow this Rule when evaluating whether to pay interest to an injured worker for travel reimbursement.
Q. I have a SIBs question. We disputed a claimant’s application for SIBs and the case went to CCH. The ALJ ruled that the claimant was entitled to SIBs. What is our deadline to pay the disputed quarter based on the judge’s decision?
A. Your deadline depends upon whether you appeal or not. If you appeal, you must pay within 5 days of the filing of your appeal. If you do not appeal, you have 20 calendar days from the date that the decision becomes final. The decision becomes final on first calendar day after the 15th business day following the receipt of the decision by your Austin representative.
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