OAR 438-012-0060: Board Review of Insurer Closure; Referral for Medical Arbiter Evaluation

(1) The request for Board review of the insurer's claim closure pursuant to OAR 438-012-0055 shall be in writing, signed by the claimant or the claimant's attorney, and should include, but is not limited to, the following information: (a) The claimant's name and mailing address; (b) A statement that Board review is requested, and the reason(s) for the request for review; reasons for requesting review may include, but are not limited to: (A) Disagreement with the medically stationary determination; (B) Disagreement with the temporary disability compensation awarded, including rate of payment and/or dates awarded; and/or (C) Disagreement with permanent disability compensation awarded, if the claim was reopened for a "post-aggravation rights" new medical condition claim and/or omitted medical condition claim. If the claimant disagrees with the impairment used in rating of the claimant's permanent disability for such a claim, the claimant may request appointment of a medical arbiter; (c) The name of the insurer; and (d) A copy of the Notice of Closure (Form 2066). (2) To be considered, the request must be filed with the Board within 60 days after the mailing date of the notice of closure, or within 180 days after the mailing date if the claimant establishes good cause for the failure to file the request within 60 days after the mailing date. The Board shall notify all parties that review has been requested. (3) Within 14 days after notification from the Board that a review has been requested, the insurer shall submit to the Board and to the claimant or, if represented, to the claimant’s attorney legible copies of all evidence that pertains to the claimant's compensable condition at the time of closure, including any evidence relating to permanent disability. Such evidence should be marked as exhibits, arranged in chronological order, and accompanied by an exhibit list. The insurer may also submit written arguments at this time, with copies to the claimant or the claimant's attorney, if any. (4) The claimant may submit additional evidence and written argument to the Board, with copies to the insurer or its attorney, if any. To be considered, such evidence and argument must be submitted within 21 days from the date the insurer mails the evidence pursuant to section (3) of this rule. (5) No additional written argument may be submitted unless authorized by the Board. (6) After the claimant requests Board review of a Notice of Closure of a “post-aggravation rights” new medical condition(s) or omitted medical condition(s) claim issued under OAR 438-012-0055, the Board may refer the claim to the Director for appointment of a medical arbiter to evaluate permanent disability attributable to the claimant’s “post-aggravation rights” new medical condition(s) or omitted medical condition(s) if: (a) The claimant objects to the impairment findings used to rate impairment regarding the “post-aggravation rights” new medical condition(s) or omitted medical condition(s) and requests appointment of a medical arbiter; (b) The issue of permanent disability rating regarding the “post-aggravation rights” new medical condition(s) or omitted medical condition(s) is raised and the Board determines that insufficient medical information is available to determine disability; or (c) The insurer objects to the impairment findings used to rate impairment regarding the “post-aggravation rights” new medical condition(s) or omitted medical condition(s) and requests appointment of a medical arbiter. (7) The Board may refer a matter to the Hearings Division for an evidentiary hearing and recommended findings of fact and conclusions. (8) The Board may refer a disagreement regarding the rating of the claimant's permanent disability for a "post-aggravation rights" new or omitted medical condition to the Workers' Compensation Division for an evaluation and recommendation based on the record presented to the Board. (9) The Board shall issue its order within a reasonable time after receipt of all evidence and argument from the parties and any recommendations from the Hearings Division or the Workers' Compensation Division.