DWC's Medical-Legal Evaluation Regulations Approved

The Office of Administrative Law has approved the DWC regulations related to the medical-legal evaluation program. Of importance are the following provisions:

• The time frame to schedule a med-legal evaluation is extended by 30 days
• The time frame for scheduling is for both initial and subsequent evaluations
• Allows the parties to agree that an initial evaluation can occur at any office listed with the Medical Director
• Allows a QME or AME to reschedule an evaluation within 60 days of the date of cancellation unless the parties agree to additional time
• Allows for remote health Med-Legal evaluations under certain circumstances
• Provides a definition of remote health evaluations and identification of the office location when a remote evaluation is conducted.

It is also noted that the amendments to section 34 regarding electronic service have been withdrawn.  The DWC plans to initiate an additional 15-day comment period.