The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is postponing or creating online options for several upcoming meetings and events to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
March 26: Stakeholder meeting on SB 1264 data reporting. Status: There will be a webinar instead of an in-person meeting at 1 p.m. March 26 to get input on the collection of data to satisfy the reporting requirement in Senate Bill 1264. Register for webinar.
March 30: Stakeholder meeting on potential 1332 State Innovation Waivers. Status: The meeting will be rescheduled. TDI will provide information soon on a new date and format.
April 9: TDI Compliance Conference. Status: The conference is canceled, and TDI will issue refunds to those who have registered. The agency is planning a series of webinars for continuing education credits at later dates.
TDI’s COVID-19 information page can be found online at: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/news/2020/coronavirus-updates.html.
Workers’ Compensation
For its part the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is taking the following steps regarding operations in light of the situation with COVID-19:
Benefit Review Conferences: As of Monday, March 16, 2020, DWC will hold Benefit Review Conferences by telephone. DWC staff will contact parties to provide details.
Contested Case Hearings: Contested Case Hearings (CCH) scheduled for March 16-27, 2020, will be rescheduled. Beginning March 30, 2020, CCHs will resume and be conducted by telephone. Parties should send exhibits they will offer into evidence to DWC and other parties at least three business days prior to the scheduled CCH. DWC encourages parties to use encrypted email or fax when exchanging evidence.
Designated Doctors Scheduling: Designated doctors should inform DWC if they decline an appointment offer as a precautionary measure related to COVID-19.
Injured Employees: To reschedule a designated doctor exam, contact the designated doctor listed on the appointment notice.
Testing: DWC’s designated doctor and MMI/IR certification testing vendor, PSI, has instituted enhanced procedures and test center closures in certain areas. Please visit the PSI website to find out more.
Telemedicine: Injured employees may receive telemedicine and telehealth services in the Texas workers’ compensation system regardless of geographic location.
Carriers
Austin Representative Boxes: The carrier boxes at the Austin Metro office remain in use. Safety precautions, including disinfectant and strict use of the glass barrier, will be utilized.
First Report of Injury: When reporting a claim, DWC requests that carriers clearly specify if a claim involves COVID19. This can be done in the incident description field on the first report of injury. This will help DWC monitor the impact of this event.
More information can be found online at https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/information/coronavirus.html.
Source: TDI
Topics Workers' Compensation
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