Medical Section – Workforce Alabama

The employer/carrier directs care. Except in the case of an emergency, the claimant should be sent to the employer/carrier’s chosen primary care provider, who will treat and recommend referral to a specialist as necessary. The employer/carrier directs the care from the moment the injury notice has been given, not after treatment has been ongoing.

Alabama Department of Workforce Administrative Code 480-5-5-.12

Yes, however, no charge is allowed for the initial bills sent by institutional and non-institutional providers for reimbursement.

Code of Alabama, 1975, §§25-5-77(b) & 12-21-6.1.

Yes, the injured employee shall submit to examination by the employer’s physician at all reasonable times.

Code of Alabama, 1975, §§25-5-77(a)(b).

Not if the treatment was authorized. However, the employer is not liable for medial or surgical treatment obtained by the employee without justification or notice to the employer.

Code of Alabama, 1975 §§25-5-77(g) & 25-5-293 (g)

No. HIPAA law does not preempt state law on workers’ compensation and should not impede the process.

One year from date of service, per the Alabama Department of Workforce Administrative Code 480-5-5-.33.

25 working days from the date of receipt, per the Code of Alabama, 1975, §25-5-77(h) and the Alabama Department of Workforce Administrative Code 480-5-5-.04.

Yes. Refer to the mileage reimbursement document for specific amounts. Contact your adjuster regarding how to submit for reimbursement.

Upon approval of the workers’ compensation claim, the employer is responsible for paying only medical bills associated with the injury in question.

Code of Alabama, 1975 § 25-5-77(a)

Alabama Department of Workforce Administrative Code 480-5-5-.08 lists the services that require certification. The list is not all-inclusive. From a practical standpoint, all medical treatment can be pre-certified. The carrier and provider may mutually agree to procedures that will not require pre-certification.

Yes. Any entity involved in the administration or payment of workers’ compensation claims may implement utilization review. However, they are not required to.

An IME is an independent assessment of the claimant’s physical condition and/or bodily functions performed by a non-treating physician with written report of findings.

This generally occurs prior to return-to-work status and may be requested by employer or employee. It does not equate to utilization review. It is not a second opinion nor a confirmatory evaluation. It is not an impairment rating, as no rating is given. The examination is performed by someone other than the individuals’ family physician or a physician who is treating or has previously treated the claimant for the same complaint.

Code of Alabama, 1975 §25-5-77(b)

The employer or carrier.

Yes.

Contact our examiners for assistance or hire and attorney. The injured worker should contact the Alabama State Bar Association and ask for a referral to an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation.

Two years from the date of injury or two years from the date of the last compensation payment.

If the employer does not have light duty, the injured worker will receive benefits until he reaches MMI or until the employer can accommodate restrictions and possibly return the injured worker in a light duty capacity.

If in the light duty capacity the injured worker received post injury earnings less than pre-injury earnings, the injured worker will receive 66 2/3% of the difference between post injury earnings and pre-injury earnings, subject to the state maximum.

Based upon an approved claim, and after the three-day waiting period, payment will be 66 2/3% of the employee’s average weekly wage, subject to the maximum and minimum. This is also contingent upon the authorized treating physician’s approval of the missed days from work.

AWW is calculated using your earnings for the 52 weeks prior to the injury and reportable on a Federal W-2 form.

If an employee has not been employed for 52 weeks, the employer may base the AWW on a similarly situated employee. AWW is subject to the State maximum at the time of injury.

Earnings during last 52 weeks ÷ 52 weeks = AWW

After the three-day waiting period, the indemnity period or disability period starts on the fourth day you are out of work. Payment of compensation benefits should be paid within 30 days after it becomes due, unless there is a sufficient reason it has not been paid.

Code of Alabama, 1975 §25-5-59 (b)

There is a three-day waiting period. You will receive the three days’ funds back only if you are out of work for a period of time exceeding 21 days.

Yes, no compensation shall be allowed if the employee refuses to submit to or cooperate with a blood or urine test.

Code of Alabama, 1975 §25-5-51

No. Just because an accident wasn’t witnessed doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. A first report of injury must be filed with our department.

Yes, an employer can continue your salary in lieu of workers’ compensation benefits, but the insurance company must still file a WC 3/4 form with the Workers’ Compensation Division showing monies paid. It’s necessary to report to the division that the employer is paying salary in lieu of workers’ compensation benefits.

No, the law does not require notice of the termination of temporary total benefits before they can be stopped.

Code of Alabama, 1975 §25-5-57

Any business that has five or more employees, other than contractors, is required by law to have workers’ compensation coverage. The term “employee” includes all full or part-time employees, officers of a corporation or members of an LLC.

You may obtain workers’ compensation coverage from your local insurance agency. The State of Alabama does not sell workers’ compensation insurance.

Yes, but an employer cannot charge an employee for workers’ compensation.

• Net worth of $5 million
• Current assets to currents liabilities ratio of one or greater
• Positive net income for the past three years

There’s no security required, except that the self insured employer must belong to the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Self Insurers Guaranty Association.

The security amount cannot be less than the greater of the following:

1. The sum total of the two highest years of workers’ compensation insurance premiums paid by the applicant during the preceding three years.
2.  The sum total of the two highest years of incurred workers’ compensation claims losses during the preceding three years.
3. The excess insurance retention amount.
4. $500,000

Security amount is paid at a rate of $15 per thousand. This amount is paid for four years, which at that point the employer is deemed to have reached parity.

For example, a $500,000 security amount would be $500 x $15 = $7,500. Paid for four years would be: $7,500 x 4 years = $30,000.

A self insurer must have and maintain specific excess insurance coverage with a retention amount of $250,000 or greater.

A medical mediation is handled the same as our compensation mediations, except the issues to be mediated are medical issues and not settlement of compensation. If the parties agree to a resolution of the medical issues in question, the parties shall sign a binding mediation agreement.

All medication can be pre-certified to insure medical necessity is met. The employer can initiate background checks and surveillance if the situation warrants it. The physician may be contacted concerning possible addiction or asked to perform random unannounced drug screens.

Employees may request a medical mediation through this Division, or the employee or his attorney may petition the court. The employer/carrier may act on our recommendation or petition the court.

Pursuant to the Code of Alabama, 1975, §25-5-77(i)(5) we offer medical dispute resolution. Once we receive an opinion from one of our independent medical experts on the disputed issue or issues, we will prepare a non-binding recommendation in writing.

Yes.