Certain DD and RME Exam Resume. See Commissioner's Bulletin # B-0030-20, Issued June 4, 2020
See also:
Designated doctor
Q: My DD certification expires soon, and I attended the DD certification course. I have not taken the recertification test at PSI Exams.
- What will happen to my certification period?
- Will my certification period be extended?
- Will I be penalized for not submitting a DD recertification application within the 45-day period from my expiration date?
A: On March 27, 2020, a DWC bulletin announced that DWC recertification rules are suspended for training, testing, and applications for doctors with DD and Maximum Medical Improvement and Impairment Rating (MMI/IR) certifications that expired on or after March 27, 2020. The two-year certification period is also suspended. DWC will allow these certifications to remain active until further notice. DWC will issue guidance in the future about these requirements and certification timeframes.
Q: Will I drop off the rotation for my counties if I do not submit an application for recertification?
A: DWC will allow DDs with an active certification as of March 26, 2020, to remain active until further notice. DDs will remain on the rotation for each county unless they remove themselves from the county through their TXCOMP profile.
DWC will issue additional guidance to DDs issuing an order in the future.
Q: If my certification expires soon, what do I do with the DD appointments that have been sent to me?
A: DWC suspended processing DD exam requests on March 25, 2020, until further notice. DDs do not need to notify DWC until further notice for any exam scheduling issues before this date, since they will be unable specify a date and time for the rescheduled exam. DWC will allow DDs with an active certification as of March 26, 2020, to remain active until further notice.
Q: I submitted a deferral request. Does this affect appointments already assigned to me?
A: Requests for deferral will be processed as usual. If a DD has been issued an order for an exam that has been suspended, and they want to defer themselves from appointments, contact DWC at 1-800-252-7031 and select Option 1.
DWC Form-022, Required Medical Examination (RME) - Request for Agreement / Request for Order
Injured employees
Q: I received an order to attend a required medical exam. Do I have to attend?
A: You should not attend the appointment. DWC suspended all RME exams that have already been ordered and suspended processing RME exam requests until further notice. Contact the RME doctor assigned to your claim if you have concerns about an appointment that was already scheduled. DWC has notified insurance carriers that all RME exams are suspended until further notice.
Insurance carriers
Q: Can I still submit requests for required medical exams?
A: To ensure continued availability of your selected RME doctor, DWC recommends you do not submit any DWC Form-022s until further notice.
Q: I submitted a DWC Form-022 but have not received an order. Should I submit a new one?
A: No. DWC suspended processing RME requests on March 27, 2020, until further notice. Please do not send a new DWC Form-022.
Q: Are electronic signatures acceptable on DWC Form-022?
A: Yes, but DWC suspended processing RME requests on March 27, 2020, until further notice. Please do not send a new DWC Form-022.
Q: When should I submit a DWC Form-022?
A: DWC will give direction to stakeholders before issuing orders.
RME doctors
Q: I received an order for an exam, but the exam did not occur because the injured employee could not attend. What is my responsibility for this exam?
A: You must notify the insurance carrier if you were unable to perform the exam before March 25, 2020.
Q: I conducted an RME but have not completed the narrative report because I am waiting for additional testing of the injured employee. What should I do with this exam?
A: DWC has suspended all RMEs and referral exams until further notice. You must notify the insurance carrier if you were unable to complete the narrative report before March 25, 2020, because you are waiting on additional testing. DWC will give direction to all stakeholders before referral exams can resume.
Q: I conducted an RME that did not require additional testing. However, my narrative report is still outstanding. What should I do with this pending narrative report?
A: You must submit required reports according to regular timeframes for exams that have already happened.