DWC Issues Bulletin Resuming Certain Designated Doctor (DD) Exams and Required Medical Examinations (RME)
The bulletin can be found at: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/bulletins/2020/B-0030-20.html
Previously Ordered Exams
On June 15, 2020, DDs and RME doctors may resume scheduling and conducting DD exams and RMEs previously ordered by DWC. Doctors should not perform any portions of the exams or write any portions of reports related to the injured employee's ability to return to work or disability as a direct result of the compensable injury. DWC will allow these exam issues to resume at a later date and will issue new orders removing these issues for exams previously ordered but not yet completed.
To prepare for issuing orders, DDs should ensure that their exam locations, especially traveling locations are updated in TXCOMP no later than June 22, 2020. Also, if a DD is deferring themselves from the DD list, please notify DWC as soon as possible. This will help reduce the number of exam offers that may need to be reprocessed.
Processing Exam Requests
On June 22, 2020, DWC will resume processing requests for DD exams and RMEs, except for the issues of return to work or disability as a direct result of the compensable injury. Appointment offers for DD exams will go out overnight June 22. DWC will process all exams based on a Presiding Officer's Directive (POD) to order a DD Exam, then requests received by system participants in the order in which they were received.
DWC will also act on the following beginning June 22, 2020:
- Previously issued Appointment Selection Responses (ASR)-DWC will reach out to DDs prior to processing ASRs on hold.
- Redesignation Requests - DWC will process pending requests for redesignation.
Doctor and Injured Employee Safety
DWC strongly encourages doctors and injured employees to follow the recommendations of the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on infection control, specifically for COVID-19.
Specifically, designated doctors should consider social distance issues when scheduling multiple appointments.
Doctors must also comply with the requirements of their respective licensing boards.
Contact Information
- To request additional time to complete a DD report, for help obtaining medical records, or to request rescheduling or redesignation, fax or e-mail to 512-804-4121 or DDRecords@tdi.texas.gov
- Fax ASRs to 512-490-1049
- Other questions? Contact DD Scheduling at 512-804-4847 or DDScheduler@tdi.texas.gov
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