OAR 438-012-0030: Insurer Recommendation of Reopening or Denial of Claim Voluntarily Reopening

(1) Except as provided in section (3) of this rule, for “worsened condition” claims that have been determined to be compensable as defined under OAR 438-012-0001(3) and "post-aggravation rights" new medical condition or omitted medical condition claims that have been determined to be compensable as defined under 438-012-0001(4), the Own Motion insurer shall, within 30 days after the claimed condition has been determined to be compensable as defined under 438-012-0001(3) or 438-012-0001(4), either: (a) Voluntarily reopen the Own Motion claim, including any "post-aggravation rights" new medical condition or omitted medical condition claim, under ORS 656.278(5) to provide benefits allowable under 656.278; or (b) Submit to the Board a written recommendation as to whether the Own Motion claim, including any "post-aggravation rights" new medical condition or omitted medical condition claim, should be reopened or not reopened, on a form prescribed by the Board, accompanied by the required evidence supporting the recommendation. The Own Motion insurer shall supply all information and evidence required by the form, which should be marked as exhibits, arranged in chronological order, and accompanied by an exhibit list. Copies of the recommendation form and any supporting evidence shall be mailed to the claimant and the claimant's attorney, if any. (2) Except as provided in section (3) of this rule, for medical benefit claims under OAR 438-012-0001(2)(c), the Own Motion insurer shall, within 60 days after receiving the Own Motion claim, either: (a) Voluntarily reopen the Own Motion claim under ORS 656.278(5) to provide benefits allowable under ORS 656.278 or to grant additional medical or hospital care to the claimant; or (b) Submit to the Board a written recommendation as to whether the Own Motion claim should be reopened or not reopened, on a form prescribed by the Board, accompanied by the required evidence supporting the recommendation. The Own Motion insurer shall supply all information and evidence required by the form, which should be marked as exhibits, arranged in chronological order, and accompanied by an exhibit list. Copies of the recommendation form and any supporting evidence shall be mailed to the claimant and the claimant's attorney, if any. (3) In extraordinary circumstances, the Board may grant the insurer an extension for submission of its recommendation. (4) In all cases when the Own Motion insurer voluntarily reopens the claim under ORS 656.278(5), the insurer shall issue a 3501 Form to the claimant with copies to the claimant's attorney, if any, and the Workers' Compensation Division. The form shall be as prescribed by the Director.