State News : Texas

NWCDN is a network of law firms dedicated to protecting employers in workers’ compensation claims.


NWCDN Members regularly post articles and summary judgements in workers’ compensations law in your state.  


Select a state from the dropdown menu below to scroll through the state specific archives for updates and opinions on various workers’ compensation laws in your state.


Contact information for NWCDN members is also located on the state specific links in the event you have additional questions or your company is seeking a workers’ compensation lawyer in your state.


Texas

STONE LOUGHLIN & SWANSON, LLP

  512-343-1385

If You Pay Them, They Will Come: DWC Proposes DD Billing and Reimbursement Changes

 

The moment many designated doctors have long awaited and lobbied (dare we say begged) for has finally arrived.  The Division has proposed changes to the billing and reimbursement structure for certain workers’ compensation services that will also benefit RME providers as well as treating and referral doctors.  Who knows, maybe the promise of greater financial incentive is responsible for the recent bump in the number of designated doctors on the Division’s list that has swollen from the 238 reported in March to a whopping 288 in November (all but 12 of the 50 being chiropractors). 

The proposal includes adjusting fees once by applying the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) adjustment factor for examinations performed 2009-2024; adjusting the fees annually on January 1st by applying that factor in Section 134.203(c)(2); rounding the fees to whole dollars; creating a specialist fee of $300.00 and including the much longed for $100.00 missed appointment fee.  The proposal also eliminates the current tiering structure so that for DD and RME examinations, all issues addressed in one exam are paid at the established fee and not reduced.  An assignment number in the prior authorization field of medical billing forms will be required to identify DD-associated billing.   

For more information about the proposed rule amendments, click here.

You can view the proposed changes here: Chapter 133 and Chapter 134.

A public hearing on the rules is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on January 23, 2024. 


Copyright 2024, Stone Loughlin & Swanson, LLP