Step 1. Talk with your attorney or ombudsman about your dispute.

Step 2. Talk with the insurance carrier’s adjuster about your dispute.

Step 3. Attend a benefit review conference (BRC).

Step 4. Attend a contested case hearing or arbitration.

Step 5. If you don’t agree with the hearing decision, you can appeal (or respond to an appeal) to the Appeals Panel.

Step 6. If you don’t agree with the Appeals Panel decision, you can appeal to a court (judicial review).

Learn more about dispute resolution.

A medical dispute may be about:

• the medical necessity of specific medical treatments or services; or
• the appropriate medical fees for health care already provided.

Learn more about:

• Medical fee dispute resolution
• Medical dispute resolution by an IRO

• Call DWC Customer Service at 800-252-7031, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central time.
• For issues related to hearings, call Hearings Division 512-804-4010 phone | 512-804-4011 fax
• For issues related to appeals, call the Appeals Panel 512-804-4020 phone | 512-804-4021 fax

• The Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC) is a state agency that offers injured employees free help with workers’ compensation claims. If you do not have an attorney and want help from an ombudsman, contact OIEC at 866-393-6432.
• If you want an attorney and need help finding one, contact the State Bar of Texas at 800-252-9690.

• Contested Case Hearings at the Barbara Jordan Building in Austin 10/5/22
• House Bill 1752, 87th Legislature, Regular Session (2021)
• Changes to hearing notices, orders, and other correspondence
• COVID-19: Contested Case Hearings
• Adopted Amendments to 28 TAC §§142.13 and 142.19
• Contact information for DWC’s Hearings section
• Contact information for proceedings resolution officers (PROs)
• Communications with Hearings management and the Appeals Panel while a dispute is pending
• Discovery relating to testifying experts
• FAQ about BRCs, hearings, and appeals