Approved Designated Doctor and Impairment Rating Education
Steps for Becoming a DD/IR Doctor | Training and Scheduling Changes for DDs | IR Training and Testing Requirements and Schedule | DD/IR Training Course | IR Testing Approved by TDI-DWC
Steps for Becoming a Designated Doctor or an Impairment Rating Doctor:
- Attend a designated doctor and impairment rating course approved by TDI-DWC.
- Pass an impairment rating test approved by TDI-DWC.
- Submit an online application through TXCOMP:
Training and Scheduling Changes for Designated Doctors
Amendments to §408.0041 and §408.1225 of the Texas Labor Code expanded the duties of the designated doctor to include the following activities:
- Assigning an accurate impairment rating (IR) for a compensable injury in accordance with the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 4th Edition, published by the American Medical Association;
- Determining attainment of clinical maximum medical improvement;
- Determining the extent of the injured employee's compensable injury;
- Determining whether the injured employee's disability is a direct result of the work-related injury;
- Determining the ability of the injured employee to return to work; and
- Activities similar to those described by (1)-(5).
Impairment Rating Training and Testing Requirements and Schedule
| Health Care Provider | Training | Impairment Rating Testing |
|---|---|---|
| New Designated Doctors | Must attend an on-site course conducted by an approved trainer. Retraining is required every two (2) years. |
Must pass an approved impairment rating test before applying for the Designated Doctor List. |
| Current Designated Doctors | Must attend an on-site course conducted by an approved trainer every two (2) years. |
Retesting is not required before renewing an online application to the Designated Doctor List. |
| Impairment Rating Doctors (Non-Designated Doctors) | Must attend an on-site course conducted by an approved trainer. Retraining is required every four (4) years. |
Must pass an approved impairment rating test every four (4) years. |
| Ancillary Health Care Providers | Must attend the first day of an on-site course conducted by an approved trainer. Retraining is required every two (2) years. | Impairment rating testing is not required. |
In accordance with the amended Texas Labor Code, completing the approved designated doctor course and passing the approved examination satisfy the training requirements for doctors who wish to serve as designated doctors and perform impairment ratings after January 1, 2007.
This approved seminar also satisfies the training requirement for doctors who certify Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and/or assign Impairments Ratings (IR). In addition, the approved seminar fulfills the IR training requirement for ancillary providers (i.e., physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurse practitioners, etc.) who conduct range of motion, strength, and sensory testing for IR examinations.
For additional information on dates, times, costs and registration, please contact the appropriate trainer or tester.
*This course is full. AADEP can no longer accept registrations for this course. In addition, onsite registration will NOT be available. For information regarding additional designated doctor courses later in the year, please check back at a later date.
Note: Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop computer to the training. Course materials are no longer provided in paper copy. Course materials will be provided on a CD at the training site. In addition, course materials will be posted for download on the AADEP website approximately one week before the event.
| Approved Impairment Rating Tester | Address and Phone Number | Website |
|---|---|---|
| American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians | 223 W. Jackson Blvd. Suite 1104 Chicago, IL 60606 800-456-6095 |
http://www.aadep.org |
| National Assessment Institute | 3010 LBJ Freeway Suite 1200 Dallas, TX 75243 866-570-6200 |
http://www.nainst.com |
| American Academy of Expert Medical Evaluators | 10 Tioga Way Marblehead, MA 01945 800-639-1233 |
http://www.aaeme.com |
For more information contact:
Last updated: 05/16/2012
