Texas DWC Announces Recent Enforcement Actions

Austin, TX (WorkersCompensation.com) - Commissioner of Workers' Compensation, Ryan Brannan, recently announced final disciplinary actions taken by the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC).

The final actions include administrative penalties ordered against insurance carriers and health care providers in the workers' compensation system. Beginning January 1, 2015, through May 31, 2015, the Commissioner of Workers' Compensation has ordered administrative penalties totaling $803,500 for system participants. The penalties include $588,300 in fines ordered for insurance carriers, $169,700 in fines ordered for health care providers, and $45,500 in fines ordered for other entities.

Violations of the Texas Labor Code by insurance carriers cited in recent orders include failure to accurately and timely pay benefits ordered to an injured employee, failure to accurately and timely notify DWC of termination of benefits, and failure to pay benefits in accordance with a designated doctor examination. Violations cited in orders naming health care providers include improper billing of medical services to an injured employee; issuing improper, unreasonable, or medically unnecessary treatment or medical services to an injured employee; and failure to timely file and/or accurately complete DWC forms, reports, or records. Violations cited in orders naming other entities include failure to timely respond to DWC when ordered to produce requested documents.

Summaries of disciplinary actions are available on the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) website at: https://wwwapps.tdi.state.tx.us/inter/asproot/commish/da/dwcclips2015.asp. 

Specific order summaries also can be viewed by searching by the subject of the order here:http://www.tdi.texas.gov/commish/actions.html.

Share This Article: