The Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has adopted new and amended rules in 28 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 133 and Chapter 134 to increase billing and reimbursement for certain workers’ compensation-specific services, including:
- Designated doctor examinations
- Required medical examinations
- Work status reports
- Maximum medical improvement evaluations and impairment rating examinations by treating and referred doctors
TCA worked closely with DWC, participating in stakeholder meetings to combat declining participation in the designated doctor program by addressing billing logistics and reimbursement rates. The new rules will go into effect June 1, 2024.
“Doctors of chiropractic are an integral part of the designated doctor program, and these important changes allow us to reach thousands of Texans across the state, especially in rural areas,” said Ryan Bailey, DC, TCA President and a chiropractor from Abilene. “TCA is proud to have played a key role in the adoption of these rule changes by DWC. We thank our designated doctor members and our lobbyists for their hard work on this issue. This is another major win for Texas chiropractors.”
DWC will provide training on the new billing and reimbursement rules in the coming months.
