OAR 436-010-0005: Temporary rule language in effect until 10/04/2026. Definitions

(1) Unless a term is specifically defined elsewhere in these rules or the context otherwise requires, the definitions of ORS chapter 656 are hereby incorporated by reference and made part of these rules. (2) “Administrative review” means any decision making process of the director requested by a party aggrieved with an action taken under these rules except the hearing process described in OAR 436-001. (3) “Attending physician” has the same meaning as described in ORS 656.005(12)(b). See Appendix A “Matrix for Health Care Provider Types.” (4) “Board” means the Workers’ Compensation Board and includes its Hearings Division. (5) “Chart note” means a notation made in chronological order in a medical record in which the medical service provider records information such as subjective and objective findings, diagnosis, treatment rendered, treatment objectives, and return-to-work goals and status. (6) “Come-along provider” means a primary care physician, chiropractic physician, physician associate or a nurse practitioner who is not a managed care organization (MCO) panel provider and who is authorized to continue to treat the worker when the worker becomes enrolled in an MCO. (See OAR 436-015-0070.) (7) “Date stamp” means to stamp or display the initial receipt date and the recipient’s name on a paper or electronic document, regardless of whether the document is printed or displayed electronically. (8) “Days” means calendar days. (9) “Direct control and supervision” means the physician, physician associate, or nurse practitioner is on the same premises, at the same time, as the person providing a medical service ordered by the physician. The physician can modify, terminate, extend, or take over the medical service at any time. (10) “Direct medical sequela” means a condition that is clearly established medically and originates or stems from an accepted condition. For example: The accepted condition is low back strain with herniated disc at L4-5. The worker develops permanent weakness in the leg and foot due to the accepted condition. The weakness is considered a “direct medical sequela.” (11) “Director” means the director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services or the director’s designee. (12) “Division” means the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. (13) “Eligible worker” means a worker who has filed a claim or who has an accepted claim and whose employer is located in an MCO’s authorized geographical service area, covered by an insurer that has a contract with that MCO. (14) “Enrolled” means an eligible worker has received notification from the insurer that the worker is being required to treat under the provisions of a managed care organization (MCO). However, a worker may not be enrolled who would otherwise be subject to an MCO contract if the worker’s primary residence is more than 100 miles outside the managed care organization’s certified geographical service area. (15) “Health care practitioner or health care provider” has the same meaning as a “medical service provider.” (16) “Home health care” means necessary medical and medically related services provided in the patient’s home environment. These services may include, but are not limited to, nursing care, medication administration, personal hygiene, or assistance with mobility and transportation. (17) “Hospital” means an institution licensed by the State of Oregon as a hospital. (18) “Initial claim” means the first open period on the claim immediately following the original filing of the occupational injury or disease claim until the worker is first declared to be medically stationary by an attending physician. For nondisabling claims, the “initial claim” means the first period of medical treatment immediately following the original filing of the occupational injury or disease claim ending when the attending physician does not anticipate further improvement or need for medical treatment, or there is an absence of treatment for an extended period. (19) “Insurer” means the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation; an insurer authorized under ORS chapter 731 to transact workers’ compensation insurance in the state; or, an employer or employer group that has been certified under ORS 656.430 that meets the qualifications of a self-insured employer under ORS 656.407. (20) “Interim medical benefits” means those services provided under ORS 656.247 on initial claims with dates of injury on or after January 1, 2002 that are not denied within 14 days of the employer’s notice of the claim. (21) “Mailed or mailing date” means the date a document is postmarked. Requests submitted by facsimile or “fax” are considered mailed as of the date printed on the banner automatically produced by the transmitting fax machine. Hand-delivered requests will be considered mailed as of the date stamped by the division. Phone or in-person requests, where allowed under these rules, will be considered mailed as of the date of the request. (22) “Managed care organization” or “MCO” means an organization formed to provide medical services and certified in accordance with OAR chapter 436, division 015. (23) “Medical evidence” includes, but is not limited to: expert written testimony; written statements; written opinions, sworn affidavits, and testimony of medical professionals; records, reports, documents, laboratory, X-ray and test results authored, produced, generated, or verified by medical professionals; and medical research and reference material used, produced, or verified by medical professionals who are physicians or medical record reviewers in the particular case under consideration. (24) “Medical provider” means a medical service provider, a hospital, a medical clinic, or a vendor of medical services. (25) “Medical service” means any medical treatment or any medical, surgical, diagnostic, chiropractic, dental, hospital, nursing, ambulances, or other related services; drugs, medicine, crutches, prosthetic appliances, braces, and supports; and where necessary, physical restorative services. (26) “Medical service provider” means a person duly licensed to practice one or more of the healing arts. (27) “Medical treatment ” means the management and care of a patient for the purpose of combating disease, injury, or disorder. Restrictions on activities are not considered treatment unless the primary purpose of the restrictions is to improve the worker’s condition through conservative care. (28) “Parties” mean the worker, insurer, MCO, attending physician, and other medical provider, unless a specific limitation or exception is expressly provided for in the statute. (29) “Patient” means the same as worker as defined in ORS 656.005(28). (30) “Physical capacity evaluation” means an objective, directly observed, measurement of a worker’s ability to perform a variety of physical tasks combined with subjective analyses of abilities by worker and evaluator. Physical tolerance screening, Blankenship’s Functional Capacity Evaluation, and Functional Capacity Assessment have the same meaning as Physical Capacity Evaluation. (31) “Physical restorative services ” means those services prescribed by the attending physician to address permanent loss of physical function due to hemiplegia or a spinal cord injury, or to address residuals of a severe head injury. Services are designed to restore and maintain the patient’s highest functional ability consistent with the patient’s condition. (32) “Report” means medical information transmitted in written form containing relevant subjective or objective findings. Reports may take the form of brief or complete narrative reports, a treatment plan, a closing examination report, or any forms as prescribed by the director. (33) “Residual functional capacity” means a patient’s remaining ability to perform work-related activities. A residual functional capacity evaluation includes, but is not limited to, capability for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, walking, sitting, climbing, balancing, bending/stooping, twisting, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching, and the number of hours per day the patient can perform each activity. (34) “Specialist physician” means a licensed physician who qualifies as an attending physician and who examines a patient at the request of the attending physician to aid in evaluation of disability, diagnosis, or provide temporary specialized treatment. A specialist physician may provide specialized treatment for the compensable injury or illness and give advice or an opinion regarding the treatment being rendered, or considered, for a patient’s compensable injury. (35) “Work capacity evaluation” means a physical capacity evaluation with special emphasis on the ability to perform a variety of vocationally oriented tasks based on specific job demands. Work Tolerance Screening has the same meaning as Work Capacity Evaluation. [Publications referenced are available from the agency.] [ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.]