OAR 436-010-0210: Temporary rule language in effect until 10/04/2026. Attending Physician, Nurse Practitioner, and Temporary Disability Authorization

(1) An attending physician is primarily responsible for the patient’s care, authorizes temporary disability, and prescribes and monitors ancillary care and specialized care. (a) No later than five days after becoming a patient’s attending physician, the provider must notify the insurer using Form 827. Regardless of whether Form 827 is filed, the facts of the case and the actions of the provider determine if the provider is the attending physician. (b) Type A and type B attending physicians may authorize temporary disability and manage medical services subject to the limitations of ORS chapter 656 or a managed care organization contract. (See Appendix A “Matrix for Health Care Provider Types” [Attached]) (c) Except for emergency services, or otherwise provided for by statute or these rules, all treatments and medical services must be approved by the worker’s attending physician. (2) Chiropractic Physicians and Naturopathic Physicians (Type B providers). (a) Prior to providing any compensable medical service or authorizing temporary disability benefits under ORS 656.245, a type B provider must certify to the director that the provider has reviewed a packet of materials provided by the director. (b) Type B providers may assume the role of attending physician for a cumulative total of 60 days or 18 visits, whichever occurs first, from the first visit on the initial claim with any type B provider. (c) Type B providers may authorize payment of temporary disability compensation for a period not to exceed 30 days from the date of the first visit on the initial claim to any type B provider. (d) Except for chiropractic physicians serving as the attending physician at the time of claim closure, type B providers may not make findings regarding the worker’s impairment for the purpose of evaluating the worker’s disability. (3) Physician Associates. Prior to providing any compensable medical service or authorizing temporary disability benefits under ORS 656.245, a physician associate must certify to the director that the provider has reviewed a packet of materials provided by the director. (4) Nurse Practitioners. Prior to providing any compensable medical service or authorizing temporary disability benefits under ORS 656.245, a nurse practitioner must review a packet of materials provided by the division and complete the statement of authorization. (See www.oregonwcdoc.info) Once the nurse practitioner has completed the statement of authorization, the division will assign an authorized nurse practitioner number. (5) Emergency Room Physicians. Emergency room physicians may authorize temporary disability for no more than 14 days when they refer the patient to a primary care physician. If an emergency room physician sees a patient in the physician’s private practice apart from their duties as an emergency room physician, the physician may be the attending physician. (6) Unlicensed to Provide Medical Services. Attending physicians may prescribe services to be carried out by persons not licensed to provide a medical service or treat independently. These services must be rendered under the physician’s direct control and supervision. Home health care provided by a patient’s family member is not required to be provided under the direct control and supervision of the attending physician if the family member demonstrates competency to the satisfaction of the attending physician. (7) Out-of-State Attending Physicians. The worker may choose an attending physician outside the state of Oregon with the approval of the insurer. When the insurer receives the worker’s request or becomes aware of the worker’s request to treat with an out-of-state attending physician, the insurer must give the worker written notice of approval or disapproval of the worker’s choice of attending physician within 14 days. If an approved out-of-state attending physician does not comply with OAR 436-009 or 436-010, the insurer may withdraw approval of the attending physician. (a) If the insurer approves the worker’s choice of out-of-state attending physician, the insurer must immediately notify the worker and the physician in writing of the following: (A) The Oregon medical fee and payment rules, OAR 436-009; (B) The manner in which the out-of-state physician may provide compensable medical treatment or services to Oregon workers; and (C) That the insurer cannot pay bills for compensable services above the Oregon fee schedule. (b) If the insurer disapproves the worker’s out-of-state attending physician or withdraws a prior approval, the insurer must send the worker written notice that: (A) Clearly states the reasons for the disapproval or withdrawal of the prior approval, for example, the out-of-state physician’s refusal to comply with OAR 436-009 and 436-010; (B) Identifies at least two other physicians of the same healing art and specialty in the same area that the insurer would approve; (C) Informs the worker that if the worker disagrees with the disapproval or withdrawal, the worker may request approval from the director under OAR 436-010-0220; and (D) Informs the worker that the worker may be liable for payment of services provided after the date of notification if the worker receives further medical services from the disapproved or no longer approved out-of-state physician. (c) If the insurer withdraws approval of the out-of-state attending physician, the insurer must notify the physician of the following in writing: (A) The reasons for withdrawing the approval; (B) That any future services provided by that physician will not be paid by the insurer; and (C) That the worker may be liable for payment of services provided after the date of notification. (d) The worker or worker’s representative may request approval from the director under OAR 436-010-0220 if the worker disagrees with the insurer’s decision to: (A) Disapprove an out-of-state attending physician; or (B) Withdraw the approval of the out-of-state attending physician. [ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.]