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DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES,

WORKERS' COMPENSATION DIVISION










 

DIVISION 60
CLAIMS ADMINISTRATION

436-060-0001
Authority for Rules
These rules are promulgated under the director's authority contained in ORS 656.210(2), 656.262(11), 656.264, 656.265(6), 656.325, 656.331, and 656.726(4).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.210(2), 656.262(11), 656.264, 656.265(6), 656.325, 656.331, 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.210(2), 656.262(11), 656.264, 656.265(6), 656.325, 656.331, 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCB 18-1975, f. 12-19-75, ef. 1-1-76; WCD 6-1978(Admin), f. & ef. 4-27-78; WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0001, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02
436-060-0002
Purpose
The purpose of these rules is to prescribe uniform standards by which insurers shall process workers' compensation claims under ORS 656.726(4). The director has charged the Workers' Compensation Division with the administration and enforcement of the applicable statutes, these rules, and all bulletins pertaining to claims processing. Failure to process claims in accordance with these rules will subject insurers to civil penalty under ORS 656.745; to penalties payable to the claimant under ORS 656.262(11); and, to sanctions under ORS 656.447.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.262(11), 656.447, 656.704, 656.726(4) & 656.745

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.262(11), 656.447, 656.704, 656.726(4) & 656.745

Hist.: WCD 6-1978(Admin), f. & ef. 4-27-78; WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0008, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 12-1992, f. 6-12-92, cert. ef. 7-1-92; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
436-060-0003
Applicability of Rules
(1) These rules govern claims processing and carry out the provisions of:
(a) ORS 656.210. Temporary total disability;
(b) ORS 656.212. Temporary partial disability;
(c) ORS 656.230. Lump sum payments;
(d) ORS 656.262. Responsibility for processing and payment of compensation, sight drafts, claimant’s duty to cooperate with an investigation, acceptance and denial and reporting of claims, and penalties for payment delays;
(e) ORS 656.264. Required reporting of information to the director;
(f) ORS 656.265. Notices of accidents from workers;
(g) ORS 656.268. Insurer claim closures, insurer recovery of overpayments;
(h) ORS 656.273 Aggravation for worsened conditions, procedures, limitations, additional compensation;
(i) ORS 656.277 Request for reclassification of nondisabling claim, nondisabling claim procedure;
(j) ORS 656.307. Determination of responsibility for compensation payments;
(k) ORS 656.325. Required medical examinations, suspension of compensation, injurious practices, claimant’s duty to reduce disability, and reduction of benefits for failure to participate in rehabilitation;
(l) ORS 656.331. Notice to worker’s attorney; and,
(m) ORS 656.726(4). The director’s powers and duties generally.
(2) The applicability of these rules is subject to ORS 656.202.
(3) The director may waive procedural rules as justice requires, unless otherwise obligated by statute.
Stat. Auth: ORS 656.210, 656.212, 656.230, 656.262, 656.264, 656.265, 656.268, 656.273, 656.277, 656.307, 656.325, 656.331, 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCD 6-1978(Admin), f. & ef. 4-27-78; WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0003, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 1-1992, f. 1-13-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 1-1994(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-1-94; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 10-1995(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-18-95; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 14-1996(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 5-31-96; WCD 17-1996(Temp), f. 8-5-96, cert. ef. 8-12-96; WCD 21-1996, f. 10-18-96, cert. ef. 11-27-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0005
Definitions
For the purpose of these rules unless
the context requires otherwise:
(1) “Aggravation”
means an actual worsening of the compensable condition(s) after the last award or
arrangement of compensation, that is established by medical evidence supported by
objective findings, and otherwise satisfies the statutory requirements of ORS 656.273.
(2) “Authorized nurse
practitioner” means a nurse practitioner authorized to provide compensable
medical services under ORS 656.245 and OAR 436-010.
(3) “Designated Paying
Agent” means the insurer temporarily ordered responsible to pay compensation
for a compensable injury under ORS 656.307.
(4) “Director”
means the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services or the director’s
designee, unless the context requires otherwise.
(5) “Disposition”
or “claim disposition” means the written agreement under ORS 656.236
in which a claimant agrees to release rights, or agrees to release an insurer or
self-insured employer from obligations, under ORS 656.001 to 656.794, except for
medical services, in an accepted claim. The term “compromise and release”
has the same meaning.
(6) “Division”
means the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Department of Consumer and
Business Services.
(7) “Employer”
means a subject employer under ORS 656.023.
(8) “Employment on
call” means sporadic, unscheduled employment at the call of an employer without
recourse if the worker is unavailable.
(9) “Health insurance,”
under ORS 731.162, means all insurance against bodily injury, illness or disability,
and the resultant expenses, except for workers’ compensation coverage.
(10) “Inpatient”
means an injured worker who is admitted to a hospital before and extending past
midnight for treatment and lodging.
(11) “Insurer”
means the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation; an insurer authorized under
ORS Chapter 731 to transact workers’ compensation insurance in Oregon; or,
an employer or employer group certified under ORS 656.430 that it meets the qualifications
of a self-insured employer under ORS 656.407.
(12) “Lump sum”
means the payment of all or any part of a permanent partial disability award in
one payment.
(13) “Physical rehabilitation
program” means any services provided to an injured worker to prevent the injury
from causing continuing disability.
(14) “Service company”
means the contracted agent for an insurer authorized to process claims and make
payment of compensation on behalf of the insurer.
(15) “Suspension of
compensation” means:
(a) No temporary disability,
permanent total disability, or medical and related service benefits will accrue
or be payable during the period of suspension; and
(b) Vocational assistance
and payment of permanent partial disability benefits will be stayed during the period
of suspension.
(16) “Written”
and its variations mean that which is expressed in writing, including electronic
transmission.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.704
& 656.726(4)
Hist.: WCD 6-1978(Admin),
f. & ef. 4-27-78; WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin),
f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered
from 436-054-0005, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987,
f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp),
f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD
1-1992, f. 1-3-92, cert. ef. 2-1-922; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94;
WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02;
WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 13-2003(Temp), f. 12-15-03, cert.
ef. 1-1-04 thru 2-28-04; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f.
10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 7-2015,
f. 10-12-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0006
Administrative Review
Any orders issued by the division in carrying out the director's authority to enforce ORS chapter 656 and these rules are considered orders of the director.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCD 6-1978(Admin), f. & ef. 4-27-78; WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0010, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02
436-060-0008
Administrative Review and Contested Cases
(1) Any party as defined by ORS 656.005, including an assigned claims agent as a designated processing agent under ORS 656.054, aggrieved by an action taken under these rules in which a worker’s right to compensation or the amount thereof is directly in issue, may request a hearing by the Hearings Division of the Workers’ Compensation Board in accordance with ORS chapter 656 and the Board’s Rules of Practice and Procedure for Contested Cases under the Workers’ Compensation Law except where otherwise provided in ORS chapter 656.
(2) Contested case hearings of Sanctions and Civil Penalties: Any party as described in section (1) aggrieved by a proposed order or proposed assessment of civil penalty of the director issued under ORS 656.254, 656.735, 656.745 or 656.750 may request a hearing by the Hearings Division of the Workers’ Compensation Board in accordance with ORS 656.740.
(a) The request for hearing must be sent in writing to the Administrator of the Workers’ Compensation Division. No hearing will be granted unless the request specifies the grounds upon which the person requesting the hearing contests the proposed order or assessment.
(b) The aggrieved person must file a hearing request with the Administrator of the Workers’ Compensation Division within 60 days after the mailing of the proposed order or assessment. No hearing will be granted unless the request for hearing is mailed or delivered to the administrator within 60 days of the mailing date of the proposed order or assessment.
(3) Hearings before an administrative law judge: Under ORS 656.704(2), any party that disagrees with an action or order of the director under these rules, other than as described in section (2), may request a hearing by filing a request for hearing as provided in OAR 436-001-0019 within 30 days of the mailing date of the order or notice of action. OAR 436-001 applies to the hearing.
(4) Administrative review by the director or designee: Any party aggrieved by an action taken under these rules by another person except as described in sections (1) through (3) above may request administrative review by the division on behalf of the director. The process for administrative review of such matters will be as follows:
(a) The request for administrative review must be made in writing to the Administrator of the Workers’ Compensation Division within 90 days of the action. No administrative review will be granted unless the request specifies the grounds upon which the action is contested and is mailed or delivered to the administrator within 90 days of the contested action unless the director or the director’s designee determines that there was good cause for delay or that substantial injustice may otherwise result.
(b) In the course of the review, the division may request or allow such input or information from the parties that the division deems helpful.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704, 656.726(4) & 656.745

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.245, 656.260, 656.704, 656.726(4) & 656.740(1)

Hist.: WCD 6-1978(Admin), f. & ef. 4-27-78, WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0998, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 12-2003, f. 12-4-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 10-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0009
Access to Department of Consumer and Business Services Workers' Compensation Claim File Records
(1) Under ORS 192.430 and OAR 440-005-0015(1)
the director, as custodian of public records, promulgates this rule to protect the
integrity of claim file records and prevent interference with the regular discharge
of the department’s duties.
(2) The department rules
on Access of Public Records, Fees for Record Search and Copies of Public Records
are found in OAR 440-005. Payment of fees for access to records must be made in
advance unless the director determines otherwise. Workers and insurers of record,
their legal representatives and service companies shall receive a first copy of
any document free. Additional copies shall be provided at the rates set forth in
OAR 440-005.
(3) Any person has a right
to inspect nonexempt public records. The statutory right to “inspect”
encompasses a right to examine original records. It does not include a right to
request blind searches for records not known to exist. The director will retain
or destroy records according to retention schedules published by the Secretary of
State, Archives Division.
(4) Under ORS 192.502(20)
workers’ compensation claims records are exempt from public disclosure. Access
to workers’ compensation claims records will be granted at the sole discretion
of the director in accordance with this rule, under the following circumstances:
(a) When necessary for insurers,
self-insured employers and service companies and their legal representatives for
the sole purpose of processing workers’ compensation claims. The division
will accept a request by telephone or facsimile transmission, but such request must
include the claimant’s social security number and insurer claim number in
addition to the information required in section (7).
(b) When necessary for the
director, other governmental agencies of this state or the United States to carry
out their duties, functions or powers.
(c) When the disclosure is
made in such a manner that the disclosed information cannot be used to identify
any worker who is the subject of a claim. Such circumstances include when workers’
compensation claims file information is required by a public or private research
organization in order to contact injured workers in order to conduct its research.
The director may enter into such agreements with such institutions or persons as
are necessary to secure the confidentiality of the disclosed records.
(d) When a worker or the
worker’s representative requests review of the workers’ claim record.
(5) The director may release
workers’ compensation claims records to persons other than those described
in section (4) when the director determines such release is in the public interest.
(a) For the purpose of these
rules, a “public interest” exists when the conditions set forth in ORS
192.502(20) and subsections (4)(a) through (d) of this rule have been met. The determination
whether the request to release workers’ compensation claims records meets
those conditions shall be at the sole discretion of the director.
(b) The director may enter
into written agreements as necessary to ensure that the recipient of workers’
compensation claims records under this section uses or provides the information
to others only in accordance with these rules and the agreement with the director.
The director may terminate such agreements at any time the director determines that
one or more of the conditions of the agreement have been violated.
(6) The director may deny
or revoke access to workers’ compensation claims records at any time the director
determines such access is no longer in the public interest or is being used in a
manner which violates these rules or any law of the State of Oregon or the United
States.
(7) Requests to inspect or
obtain copies of workers’ compensation claim records must be made in writing
or in person and must include:
(a) The name, address and
telephone number of the requester;
(b) The reason for requesting
the records;
(c) A specific identification
of the public record(s) required and the format in which they are required;
(d) The number of copies
required;
(e) The account number of
the requester, when applicable.
(8) Except as prescribed
in subsections (4)(a) through (d), a person must submit to the division an attorney
retainer agreement or release signed by the claimant in order to inspect or obtain
copies of workers’ compensation claims records. The director may refuse to
honor any release that the director determines is likely to result in disclosed
records being used in a manner contrary to these rules. Upon request, the director
will review proposed release forms to determine whether the proposed release is
consistent with the law and this rule.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 192.502, 656.704 &
656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.704
& 656.726(4)
Hist.: WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89,
cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96,
cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04
cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05,
cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09,
cert. ef. 1-1-10; WCD 7-2015, f. 10-12-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0010
Reporting Requirements
(1) A subject employer must accept notice
of a claim for workers’ compensation benefits from an injured worker or the
worker’s representative. The employer must provide a copy of the “Report
of Job Injury or Illness,” Form 801, to the worker immediately upon request;
the form must be readily available for workers to report their injuries. Proper
use of this form satisfies ORS 656.265.
(2) A “Worker’s
and Health Care Provider’s Report for Workers’ Compensation Claims,”
Form 827, signed by the worker, is written notice of an accident, that may involve
a compensable injury under ORS 656.265. The signed Form 827 shall start the claim
process, but shall not relieve the worker or employer of the responsibility of filing
a Form 801. If a worker reports a claim electronically the insurer may require the
worker to sign a medical release form, so the insurer can obtain medical records
under OAR 436-010-0240, necessary to process the claim.
(3) Employers, except self-insured
employers, must report the claim to their insurers no later than five days after
notice or knowledge of any claim or accident, that may result in a compensable injury.
The employer’s knowledge date is the earliest of the date the employer (any
supervisor or manager) first knew of a claim, or of when the employer has enough
facts to reasonably conclude that workers’ compensation liability is a possibility.
The report must provide the information requested on the Form 801, and include,
but not be limited to, the worker’s name, address, and Social Security number,
the employer’s legal name and address, and the data specified by ORS 656.262
and 656.265.
(4) For the purpose of this
section, “first aid” means any treatment provided by a person who does
not require a license in order to provide the service. If an injured worker requires
only first aid, no notice need be given the insurer, unless the worker chooses to
file a claim. If a worker signs a Form 801, the claim must be reported to the insurer.
If the person must be licensed to legally provide the treatment or if a bill for
the service will result, notice must be given to the insurer. When the worker requires
only first aid and chooses not to file a claim, the employer must maintain records
showing the name of the worker, the date, nature of the injury and first aid provided,
for five years. These records shall be open to inspection by the director, or any
party or its representative. If an employer subsequently learns that such an injury
has resulted in medical services, disability or death, the date of that knowledge
will be considered as the date on which the employer received notice or knowledge
of the claim for the purposes of processing under ORS 656.262.
(5) The director may assess
a civil penalty against an employer delinquent in reporting claims to its insurer
in excess of ten percent of the employer’s total claims during any quarter.
(6) An employer intentionally
or repeatedly paying compensation in lieu of reporting to its insurer claims or
accidents that may result in a compensable injury claim may be assessed a civil
penalty by the director.
(7) The insurer must process
and file claims and reports required by the director in compliance with ORS chapter
656, WCD administrative rules, and WCD bulletins. Such filings shall not be made
by computer-printed forms, facsimile transmission (FAX), electronic data interchange
(EDI), or other electronic means, unless specifically authorized by the director.
(8) When an insurer receives
a claim and the insurer does not provide insurance coverage for the worker’s
employer on the date of injury, the insurer may check for other coverage or forward
it to the director. The insurer must do one or the other within three days of determining
they did not provide coverage on the date of injury. If the insurer finds that another
insurer provides coverage, the insurer must send the claim to the correct insurer
within the same three day period. If the insurer cannot find coverage, the insurer
must forward the claim to the director within the same three-day period.
(9) The insurer or self-insured
employer and service company, if any, must be identified on all insurer generated
workers’ compensation forms, including insurer name, service company name
(if applicable), and the mailing address and phone number of the location responsible
for processing the claim.
(10) The insurer must file
all disabling claims with the director within 14 days of the insurer’s initial
decision either to accept or deny the claim. To meet this filing requirement, the
Insurer’s Report, Form 1502, accompanied by the Form 801, or its electronic
equivalent, is to be submitted to the director. However, when the Form 801 is not
available within a time frame that would allow a timely filing, a Form 1502, accompanied
by a signed Form 827 when available, will satisfy the initial reporting requirement.
If the Form 801 is not submitted at the time of the initial filing of the claim,
the Form 801 must be submitted within 30 days from the filing of the Form 1502.
A Form 801 prepared by the insurer in place of obtaining the form from the employer/worker
does not satisfy the requirement to file the Form 801, unless the employer/worker
cannot be located, or the form cannot be obtained from the employer/worker due to
lack of cooperation, or the form is computer-printed based upon information obtained
from the employer and worker. The insurer must submit copies of all acceptance or
denial notices not previously submitted to the director with the Form 1502. Form
1502 is used to report claim status and activity to the director.
(11) When submitting a Form
1502 the minimum data elements an insurer must provide are the worker’s legal
name, Social Security number, insurer’s claim number, date of injury, and
the employer’s legal name.
(12) When submitting an initial
compensability decision Form 1502, the insurer must report:
(a) The status of the claim;
(b) Reason for filing;
(c) Whether first payment
of compensation was timely, if applicable;
(d) Whether the claim was
accepted or denied timely; and
(e) Any Managed Care Organization
(MCO) enrollment, and the date of enrollment, if applicable.
(13) The insurer must file
an additional Form 1502 with the director within 14 days of:
(a) The date of any reopening
of the claim;
(b) Changes in the acceptance
or disability status;
(c) Any litigation order
or insurer’s decision that causes reopening of the claim or changes the acceptance
or disability status;
(d) MCO enrollment that occurs
after the initial Form 1502 has been filed;
(e) The insurer’s knowledge
that a previous Form 1502 contained erroneous information;
(f) The date of any denial;
or
(g) The date the first payment
of temporary disability was issued.
(14) A nondisabling claim
must be reported to the director only if it is denied, in part or whole. It must
be reported to the director within 14 days of the date of denial. A nondisabling
claim that becomes disabling must be reported to the director within 14 days of
the date of the status change.
(15) If the insurer voluntarily
reopens a qualified claim under ORS 656.278, it must file a Form 3501 with the director
within 14 days of the date the insurer reopens the claim.
(16) The insurer must report
a new medical condition reopening on the Form 1502 if the claim cannot be closed
within 14 days of the first to occur: acceptance of the new condition, or the insurer’s
knowledge that interim temporary disability compensation is due and payable.
(17) New condition claims
that are ready to be closed within 14 days must be reported on the “Insurer
Notice of Closure Summary,” Form 1503, at the time the insurer closes the
claim. The “Modified Notice of Acceptance” and “Updated Notice
of Acceptance at Closure” letter must accompany the Form 1503.
(18) If, after receiving
a claim from a worker or from someone other than the worker on the worker’s
behalf, the insurer receives written communication from the worker stating the worker
never intended to file a claim and wants the claim “withdrawn,” the
insurer must submit a Form 1502 with a copy of the worker’s communication
to the director, if the claim had previously been reported.
(19) The director may issue
a civil penalty against any insurer delinquent in reporting or in submitting Forms
801, 1502, 1503 or 1644 with a late or error ratio in excess of twenty percent during
any quarter. For the purposes of this section, a claim or form shall be deemed to
have been reported or submitted timely according to the provisions of ORS 656.726(4).
(20) Insurers must make an
annual report to the director reporting attorney fees, attorney salaries, and all
other costs of legal services paid under ORS chapter 656. The report must be submitted
on forms furnished by the director for that purpose. Reports for each calendar year
must be filed not later than March 1 of the following year.
(21) If an insurer elects
to process and pay supplemental disability benefits, under ORS 656.210(5)(a), the
insurer does not need to inform the director of their election. The insurer must
request reimbursement, under OAR 436-060-0500, by filing Form 3504 “Supplemental
Disability Benefits Quarterly Reimbursement Request” with the director for
any quarter during which they processed and paid supplemental disability benefits.
If an insurer elects not to process and pay supplemental disability benefits, the
insurer must submit Form 3530, “Supplemental Disability Election Notification,”
to the director. The election remains in effect for all supplemental disability
claims the insurer receives until the insurer changes its election. The election
is made by the insurer and applies to all service companies an insurer may use for
processing claims.
(22) An insurer may change
its election made under section (21):
(a) Annually and
(b) Once after the division
completes its first audit of supplemental disability payments made by the insurer.
[ED. NOTE: Forms referenced are available
from the agency.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.262,
656.264, 656.265(6), 656.704, 656.726(4), 656.745
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.210,
656.262, 656.264, 656.265, 656.704, 656.726(4)
Hist.: WCD 1-1980(Admin),
f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin),
f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0100, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin),
f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89,
cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f.
11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 1-1992, f. 1-3-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 7-1994,
f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001,
f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 9-2003(Temp),
f. 8-29-03, cert. ef. 9-2-03 thru 2-28-04; WCD 11-2003(Temp), f. & cert. ef.
9-22-03 thru 2-28-03; WCD 13-2003(Temp), f. 12-15-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04 thru 2-28-04;
WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05;
WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 10-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08;
WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10;
WCD 7-2015, f. 10-12-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0012
Notices and Correspondence Following
the Death of a Worker
(1) If a worker is deceased, regardless
of the cause of death, an insurer must:
(a) Address all future notices
and correspondence to the worker’s estate or qualified beneficiaries;
(b) Provide a written notice
of acceptance or denial of a claim to the estate of the worker; and
(c) Issue a Notice of Closure,
when applicable, to the estate of the worker. The insurer must mail the worker’s
copy of the Notice of Closure to the worker’s last known address. The insurer
may mail copies of the Notice of Closure to any known or potential beneficiaries.
(2) Other notices required
under this chapter intended for the worker are not required when the worker is deceased.
Stat. Auth: ORS 656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.262,
656.264, 656.268
Hist.: WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09,
cert. ef. 1-1-10; WCD 7-2015, f. 10-12-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0015
Required Notice and Information
(1) When an injured worker’s attorney
has given written notice of representation, prior or simultaneous written notice
must be given to the worker’s attorney under ORS 656.331 when:
(a) The director or insurer
requests the worker to submit to a medical examination;
(b) The insurer contacts
the worker regarding any matter which may result in denial, reduction or termination
of the worker’s benefits; or
(c) The insurer contacts
the worker regarding any matter relating to disposition of a claim under ORS 656.236.
(2) The director shall assess
a civil penalty against an insurer who intentionally or repeatedly fails to give
notice as required under section (1) of this rule.
(3) The insurer or the service
company must provide the pamphlet, “What Happens if I’m Hurt on the
Job?,” Form 1138, to every injured worker who has a disabling claim with the
first time-loss check or earliest written correspondence. For nondisabling claims,
the information page, “A Guide for Workers Hurt on the Job,” Form 3283,
may be provided in lieu of Form 1138, unless the worker specifically requests Form
1138.
(4) The insurer must provide
Form 3283 to their insured employers. The employer must provide the Form 3283 to
the worker at the time a worker files a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
The Form 3283 may be printed on the back of the Form 801.
(5) The insurer must provide
the “Notice to Worker,” Form 3058, or its equivalent to the worker with
the initial notice of acceptance on the claim under OAR 436-060-0140(7). For the
purpose of this rule, an equivalent to the Form 3058 must include all of the statutory
and rule requirements.
(6) Additional notices the
insurer must send to a worker are contained in OAR 436-060-0018, 436-060-0030, 436-060-0035,
436-060-0095, 436-060-0105, 436-060-0135, 436-060-0140, and 436-060-0180.
(7) When an insurer changes
claims processing locations, service companies, or self-administration, the insurer
must provide at least 10 days prior notice to workers with open or active claims,
their attorneys, and attending physicians. The notice must provide the name of a
contact person, telephone number, and mailing address of the new claim processor.
(8) The insurer must provide
the worker an explanation of any change in the wage used that differs from what
was initially reported in writing to the insurer. Prior to claim closure on a disabling
claim, the insurer must send the worker a notice documenting the wage upon which
benefits were based. Work disability, if applicable, will be determined when the
claim is closed. The notice must also explain how the worker can appeal the insurer’s
wage calculation if the worker disagrees with the wage.
[ED. NOTE: Forms referenced are available
from the agency.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.331,
656.704, 656.726(4) & 656.745
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.331,
656.704 & 656.726(4)
Hist.: WCD 8-1985(Admin),
f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp),
f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD
7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96;
WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02;
WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05;
WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 10-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08;
WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10;
WCD 7-2015, f. 10-12-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0017
Release of Claim Document
(1) For the purpose of this rule:
(a) “Documents”
include, but are not limited to, medical records, vocational records, written and
automated payment ledgers for both time loss and medical services, payroll records,
recorded statements, insurer generated records (insurer generated records exclude
a claim examiner’s generated file notes, such as documentation or justification
concerning setting or adjusting reserves, claims management strategy, or any privileged
communications), all forms required to be filed with the director, notices of closure,
electronic transmissions, and correspondence between the insurer, service providers,
claimant, the division or the Workers’ Compensation Board.
(b) “Possession”
means documents making up, or relating to, the insurer’s claim record on the
date of mailing the documents to the claimant, claimant’s attorney or claimant’s
beneficiary. Any documents that have been received by the insurer five or more working
days prior to the date of mailing shall be considered as part of the insurer’s
claim record even though the documents may not have yet reached the insurer’s
claim file.
(2) The insurer must date
stamp each document upon receipt with the date it is received. The date stamp must
include the month, day, year of receipt, and name of the company, unless the document
already contains the date information and name of recipient company, as in faxes,
e-mail and other electronically transmitted communications.
(3) A request for copies
of claim documents must be submitted to the insurer, self-insured employer, or their
respective service company, and copied simultaneously to defense counsel, if known.
(4) The insurer must furnish,
without cost, legible copies of documents in its possession relating to a claim,
upon request of the claimant, claimant’s attorney or claimant’s beneficiary,
at times other than those provided for under ORS 656.268 and OAR chapter 438, as
provided in this rule. Except as provided in OAR 436-060-0180, an initial request
by anyone other than the claimant or claimant’s beneficiary must be accompanied
by a worker signed attorney retention agreement or a medical release signed by the
worker. The signed medical release must be in a form or format as the director may
provide by bulletin. Information not otherwise available through this release, but
relevant to the claim, may only be obtained in compliance with applicable state
or federal laws. Upon the request of the claimant’s attorney, a request for
documents shall be considered an ongoing request for future documents received and
generated by the insurer for 180 days after the initial mailing date under section
(7) or until a hearing is requested before the Workers’ Compensation Board.
The insurer must provide such new documents to claimant’s attorney every 30
days, unless specific documents are requested sooner by the attorney. Such documents
must be provided within the time frame of section (7).
(5) Once a hearing is requested
before the Workers’ Compensation Board, the release of documents is controlled
by OAR chapter 438. This rule applies subsequently if the hearing request is withdrawn
or when the hearing record is closed, provided a request for documents is renewed.
(6) Upon request, the entire
health information record in the possession of the insurer will be provided to the
worker or the worker’s representative. This includes records from all healthcare
providers, except that the following may be withheld:
(a) Information that was
obtained from someone other than a healthcare provider under a promise of confidentiality
and access to the information would likely reveal the source of the information,
(b) Psychotherapy notes,
(c) Information compiled
for use in a civil, criminal, or administration action or proceeding; and
(d) Other reasons specified
by federal regulation.
(7) The insurer must furnish
copies of documents within the following time frames:
(a) The documents of open
and closed files, or microfilmed files must be mailed within 14 days of receipt
of a request, and copies of documents of archived files within 30 days of receipt
of a request.
(b) If a claim is lost or
has been destroyed, the insurer must so notify the requester in writing within 14
days of receiving the request for claim documents. The insurer must reconstruct
and mail the file within 30 days from the date of the lost or destroyed file notice.
(c) If no documents are in
the insurer’s possession at the time the request is received, the 14 days
within which to provide copies of documents starts when the insurer does receive
some documentation on the claim if that occurs within 90 days of receipt of the
request.
(d) Documents are deemed
mailed when addressed to the last known address of the claimant, claimant’s
beneficiary, or claimant’s attorney and deposited in the U.S. Mail.
(8) The documents must be
mailed directly to the claimant’s or beneficiary’s attorney, when the
claimant or beneficiary is represented. If the documents have been requested by
the claimant or beneficiary, the insurer must inform the claimant or beneficiary
of the mailing of the documents to the attorney. The insurer is not required to
furnish copies to both the claimant or beneficiary and the attorney. However, if
a claimant or beneficiary changes attorneys, the insurer must furnish the new attorney
copies upon request.
(9) The director may assess
a civil penalty against an insurer who fails to furnish documents as required under
this rule. The matrix attached to these rules in Appendix “A” will be
used in assessing penalties.
(10) Rule violation complaints
about release of requested claims documents must be in writing, mailed or delivered
to the division within 180 days of the request for documents, and must include a
copy of the request submitted under section (3). When notified by the director that
a complaint has been filed, the insurer must respond in writing to the division.
The response must be mailed or delivered to the director within 14 days of the mailing
date of the division’s inquiry letter. A copy of the response, including any
attachments, must be sent simultaneously to the requester of claim documents. If
the division does not receive a timely response or the insurer provides an inadequate
response (e.g. failing to answer specific questions or provide requested documents),
a civil penalty may be assessed under OAR 436-060-0200 against the insurer. Assessment
of a penalty does not relieve the insurer of the obligation to provide a response.
[ED. NOTE: Appendices referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of appendices.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.360,
656.362, 656.704, 656.726(4) & 656.745
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.704
& 656.726(4)
Hist.: WCD 3-1991, f. 4-18-91,
cert. ef. 6-1-91; WCD 1-1992, f. 1-3-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94,
cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01,
cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04
cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05,
cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; ;WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09,
cert. ef. 1-1-10; WCD 7-2015, f. 10-12-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0018
Nondisabling/Disabling Reclassification
(1) When the insurer changes the classification of an accepted claim, the insurer must submit an “Insurer’s Report,” Form 440-1502, indicating a change in status, to the director within 14 days from the date of the new classification. A notice of change of classification must be communicated by issuing a Modified Notice of Acceptance. This notice must include an explanation of the change in status and must be sent to the director, the worker, and the worker’s attorney if the worker is represented. If the claim qualifies for closure, the insurer must close the claim under ORS 656.268(5).
(2) The insurer must reclassify a nondisabling claim to disabling within 14 days of receiving information that any condition already accepted meets the disabling criteria in this rule. A claim is disabling if any of the following criteria apply:
(a) Temporary disability is due and payable; or
(b) The worker is medically stationary within one year of the date of injury and the worker will be entitled to an award of permanent disability; or
(c) The worker is not medically stationary, but there is a reasonable expectation that the worker will be entitled to an award of permanent disability when the worker does become medically stationary.
(3) Under ORS 656.262(6)(b)(F) and (7)(a) the insurer must issue a Modified Notice of Acceptance and change the classification from nondisabling to disabling upon acceptance of a new or omitted condition that meets the disabling criteria in this rule.
(4) If a claim has been classified as nondisabling for one year or less after the date of acceptance and the worker believes the claim was or has become disabling, the worker may request reclassification by submitting a written request for review of the classification status to the insurer under ORS 656.277.
(5) Within 14 days of the worker’s request, the insurer must review the claim and,
(a) If the classification is changed to disabling, provide notice under this rule; or
(b) If the insurer believes evidence supports denying the worker’s request to reclassify the claim, the insurer must send a Notice of Refusal to Reclassify to the worker and the worker’s attorney, if the worker is represented. The notice must include the following statement, in bold print:
“If you disagree with this Notice of Refusal to Reclassify, you must appeal by contacting the Workers’ Compensation Division within sixty (60) days of the mailing of this notice or you will lose your right to appeal. The address and telephone number of the Workers’ Compensation Division are: [INSURER: Insert current address and telephone number of the Workers’ Compensation Division, Appellate Review Unit, here.].”
(6) A worker dissatisfied with the decision in the Notice of Refusal to Reclassify may appeal to the director. Such appeal must be made no later than the 60th day after the Notice is mailed. The appeal must include a copy of the insurer’s Notice of Refusal to Reclassify.
(7) For claims that are reclassified from nondisabling to disabling within one year from the date of acceptance, the aggravation rights begin with the first valid closure of the claim.
(8) For claims that are not reclassified from nondisabling to disabling within one year from the date of acceptance, the aggravation rights continue to run from the date of injury.
(9) When a claim has been classified as nondisabling for at least one year after the date of acceptance, a worker who believes the claim was or has become disabling may submit a claim for aggravation according to the provisions of ORS 656.273.
(10) Failure of the insurer or self-insured employer to respond timely to a request for reclassification may result in the assessment of penalties under OAR 436-060-0200 or attorney fees under ORS 656.386(3).
(11) Notwithstanding (12), once a claim has been accepted and classified as disabling for more than one year from date of acceptance, all aspects of the claim are classified as disabling and remain disabling. Any additional conditions or aggravations subsequently accepted must be processed according to provisions governing disabling claims, including closure under ORS 656.268.
(12) If a claim has been classified as disabling and the insurer determines the criteria for a disabling claim were never satisfied, the insurer may reclassify the claim to nondisabling. The insurer must notify the worker and the worker’s representative, if applicable, by issuing a Modified Notice of Acceptance.
(a) The Modified Notice of Acceptance must advise the worker that he or she has 60 days from the date of the notice to appeal the decision.
(b) Appeals of such reclassification decisions are made to the Appellate Review Unit for issuance of a Director’s Review order.
(13) The worker’s appeal must be in writing. The worker may use the form specified by the director for requesting review of the insurer’s claim classification decision.
(14) The worker’s appeal under section (6) or (12) must be copied to the insurer.
(15) A worker need not be represented by an attorney to appeal the insurer’s classification decision.
(16) The director will acknowledge receipt of the request in writing to the injured worker, the worker’s attorney, if any, and the insurer, and initiate the review.
(17) Within 14 days of the director’s acknowledgement, the insurer must provide the director and all other parties with the complete medical record and all official actions and notices on the claim. The director may impose penalties against an insurer under OAR 436-060-0200 if the insurer fails to provide claim documents in a timely manner.
(18) Within the same 14 days, the worker may submit any additional evidence for the director to consider. Copies must be provided to all other parties at the same time.
(19) After receiving and reviewing the required documents, the director will issue a Director’s Review order.
(20) The worker and the insurer have 30 days from the mailing date of the Director’s Review order to appeal the director’s decision to the Hearings Division of the Workers’ Compensation Board.
(21) The director may reconsider, abate, or withdraw any Director’s Review order before the order becomes final by operation of law.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.268, 656.726

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.210, 656.212, 656.214, 656.262, 656.268, 656. 273, 656.277, 656.745, 656.726,

Hist.: WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04, cert. ef. 2-29-04, Renumbered from 436-030-0045; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 10-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0019
Determining and Paying the Three Day Waiting Period
(1) Under ORS 656.210 and 656.212, the three day waiting period is three consecutive calendar days beginning with the first day the worker loses time or wages from work as a result of the compensable injury, subject to the following:
(a) If the worker leaves work but returns and completes the work shift without loss of wages, that day shall not be considered the first day of the three day waiting period.
(b) If the worker leaves work but returns and completes the work shift and receives reduced wages, that day shall be considered the first day of the three day waiting period.
(c) If the worker does not complete the work shift, that day shall be considered the first day of the three day waiting period even if there is no loss of wages. For the purpose of this rule, an attending physician's or authorized nurse practitioner's authorization of temporary disability is not required to begin the waiting period; however, the waiting period would not be due and payable unless authorized.
(2) Under ORS 656.210(3), no disability payment is due the worker for temporary total disability suffered during the first three calendar days after the worker leaves work as a result of a compensable injury, unless the worker is totally disabled after the injury and the total disability continues for a period of 14 consecutive days or unless the worker is admitted as an inpatient to a hospital within 14 days of the first onset of total disability. For the purpose of this rule, admittance as an inpatient to a hospital can be any time following the date of the injury, but must be within 14 days of the first onset of total disability to waive the three day waiting period.
(3) If compensation is due and payable for the three day waiting period, the worker must be paid for one-half day for the initial work day lost if the worker leaves the job during the first half of the shift and does not return to complete the shift. No compensation is due for the initial day of the waiting period if the worker leaves the job during the second half of the shift.
(4) If a worker is employed with varying days off or cyclic work schedules, the three day waiting period shall be determined using the work schedule of the week the worker begins losing time or wages as a result of the injury. If the worker is no longer employed with the employer at injury or does not have an established schedule when the worker begins losing time/wages, the three day waiting period and scheduled days off shall be based on the work schedule of the week the worker was injured.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.210, 656.212, 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.210 & 656.212

Hist.: WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 9-2003(Temp), f. 8-29-03, cert. ef. 9-2-03 thru 2-28-04; WCD 11-2003(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-22-03 thru 2-28-03; WCD 13-2003(Temp), f. 12-15-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04 thru 2-28-04; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05
436-060-0020
Payment of Temporary Total Disability Compensation
(1) An employer may pay compensation under ORS 656.262(4) with the approval of the insurer under ORS 656.262(13). Making such payments does not constitute a waiver or transfer of the insurer’s duty to determine the worker’s entitlement to benefits, or responsibility for the claim to ensure timely benefit payments. The employer must provide adequate payment documentation as the insurer may require to meet its responsibilities.
(2) Under ORS 656.005(30), no temporary disability is due and payable for any period of time in which the person has withdrawn from the workforce. For the purpose of this rule, a person who has withdrawn from the workforce, includes, but is not limited to:
(a) A person who, prior to reopening under ORS 656.267, 656.273 or 656.278, was not working and had not made reasonable efforts to obtain employment, unless such efforts would be futile as a result of the compensable injury.
(b) A person who was a full time student for at least six months in the 52 weeks prior to injury elects to return to school full time, unless the person can establish a prior customary pattern of working while attending school. For purposes of this subsection, “full time” is defined as twelve or more quarter hours or the equivalent.
(3) No temporary disability is due and payable for any period of time where the insurer has requested from the worker’s attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner verification of the worker’s inability to work and the physician or authorized nurse practitioner cannot verify it under ORS 656.262(4)(d), unless the worker has been unable to receive treatment for reasons beyond the worker’s control. Before withholding temporary disability under this section, the insurer must inquire of the worker whether a reason beyond the worker’s control prevented the worker from receiving treatment. If no valid reason is found or the worker refuses to respond or cannot be located, the insurer must document its file regarding those findings. The insurer must provide the division a copy of the documentation within 20 days, if requested. If the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner is unable to verify the worker’s inability to work, the insurer may stop temporary disability payments and, in place of the scheduled payment, must send the worker an explanation for stopping the temporary disability payments. When verification of temporary disability is received from the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner, the insurer must pay temporary disability within 14 days of receiving the verification of any authorized period of time loss, unless otherwise denied.
(4) Authorization from the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner may be oral or written. The insurer at claim closure, or the division at reconsideration of the claim closure, may infer authorization from such medical records as a surgery report or hospitalization record that reasonably reflects an inability to work because of the compensable claim, or from a medical report or chart note generated at the time of, and indicating, the worker’s inability to work. No compensation is due and payable after the worker’s attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner ceases to authorize temporary disability or for any period of time not authorized by the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner under ORS 656.262(4)(g).
(5) An insurer may suspend temporary disability benefits without authorization from the division under ORS 656.262(4)(e) when all of the following circumstances apply:
(a) The worker has missed a regularly scheduled appointment with the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner.
(b) The insurer has sent a certified letter to the worker and a letter to the worker’s attorney, at least ten days in advance of a rescheduled appointment, stating that the appointment has been rescheduled with the worker’s attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner; stating the time and date of the appointment; and giving the following notice, in prominent or bold face type:
“You must attend this appointment. If there is any reason you cannot attend, you must tell us before the date of the appointment. If you do not attend, your temporary disability benefits will be suspended without further notice, as provided by ORS 656.262(4)(e).”
(c) The insurer verifies that the worker has missed the rescheduled appointment.
(d) The insurer sends a letter to the worker, the worker’s attorney and the division giving the date of the regularly scheduled appointment that was missed, the date of the rescheduled appointment that was missed, the date of the letter being the day benefits are suspended, and the following notice, in prominent or bold face type:
“Since you missed a regular appointment with your doctor, we arranged a new appointment. We notified you of the new appointment by certified mail and warned you that your benefits would be suspended if you failed to attend. Since you failed to attend the new appointment, your temporary disability benefits have been suspended. In order to resume your benefits, you must schedule and attend an appointment with your doctor who must verify your continued inability to work.”
(6) If temporary disability benefits end because the insurer or employer:
(a) Speaks by telephone with the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner, or the attending physician’s or authorized nurse practitioner’s office, and negotiates a verbal release of the worker to return to any type of work as a result, when no return to work was previously authorized; and
(b) The worker has not already been informed of the release by the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner or returned to work; then
(c) The insurer must:
(A) Document the facts;
(B) Communicate the release to the worker by mail within 7 days. The communication to the worker of the negotiated return to work release may be contained in an offer of modified employment; and
(C) Advise the worker of their reinstatement rights under ORS chapter 659A.
(7) When concurrent temporary disability is due the worker as a result of two or more accepted claims, the insurers may petition the division to make a pro rata distribution of compensation due under ORS 656.210 and 656.212. The insurer must provide a copy of the request to the worker, and the worker’s attorney if represented. The division’s pro rata order shall not apply to any periods of interim compensation payable under ORS 656.262 and also does not apply to benefits under ORS 656.214 and 656.245. Claims subject to the pro rata order approved by the division must be closed under OAR 436-030 and ORS 656.268, when appropriate. The insurers shall not unilaterally prorate temporary disability without the approval of the division, except as provided in section (8) of this rule. The division may order one of the insurers to pay the entire amount of temporary disability due or make a pro rata distribution between two or more of the insurers. The pro rata distribution ordered by the division shall be effective only for benefits due as of the date all claims involved are in an accepted status. The order pro rating compensation will not apply to periods where any claim involved is in a deferred status.
(8) When concurrent temporary disability is due the worker as a result of two or more accepted claims involving the same worker, the same employer and the same insurer, the insurer may make a pro rata distribution of compensation due under ORS 656.210 and 656.212 without an order by the division. The worker must receive compensation at the highest temporary disability rate of the claims involved.
(9) If a closure under ORS 656.268 has been found to be premature and there was an open ended authorization of temporary disability at the time of closure, the insurer must begin payments under ORS 656.262, including retroactive periods, and pay temporary disability for as long as authorization exists or until there are other lawful bases to terminate temporary disability.
(10) If a denied claim has been determined to be compensable, the insurer must begin temporary disability payments under ORS 656.262, including retroactive periods, if the time loss authorization was open ended at the time of denial, and there are no other lawful bases to terminate temporary disability.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.210(2), 656.245, 656.262, 656.307(1)(c), 656.704, 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.210, 656.212, 656.262, 656.307, 656.704, 656.726(4), (OL 2009, ch. 526)

Hist.: WCB 12-1970, f. 9-21-70, ef. 10-25-70; 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0212, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90, Former sec. (6), (7), (8), (9) & (10) Renumbered to 436-060-0025(1) - (10); WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 10-1995(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-18-95; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 14-1996(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 5-31-96; WCD 21-1996, f. 10-18-96, cert. ef. 11-27-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 13-2003(Temp), f. 12-15-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04 thru 2-28-04; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0025
Rate of Temporary Disability Compensation
(1) The rate of compensation shall be based on the wage of the worker at the time of injury, except in the case of an occupational disease, for which the rate of compensation will be based on the wage as outlined in ORS 656.210(2)(d)(B). Employers shall not continue to pay wages in lieu of statutory temporary total disability payments due. However, under ORS 656.018(6) the employer is not precluded from supplementing the amount of temporary total disability paid the worker. Employers must separately identify workers’ compensation benefits from other payments and shall not have payroll deductions withheld from such benefits.
(2) Notwithstanding section (1), under ORS 656.262(4)(b), a self-insured employer may continue the same wage with normal deductions withheld (e.g. taxes, medical, and other voluntary deductions) at the same pay interval that the worker received at the time of injury. If the pay interval or amount of wage changes (excluding wage increases), the worker must be paid temporary disability as otherwise prescribed by the workers’ compensation law. The claim shall be classified as disabling. The rate of temporary total disability that would have otherwise been paid had continued wages not occurred and the period of disability will be reported to the division.
(3) The rate of compensation for regularly employed workers shall be computed as outlined in ORS 656.210 and this rule. “Regularly employed” means actual employment or availability for such employment.
(a) Monthly wages shall be divided by 4.35 to determine weekly wages. Seasonal workers paid monthly must have their weekly wages determined under OAR 436-060-0025(5).
(b) For workers employed through union hall call board insurers must compute the rate of compensation on the basis of a five-day work week at 40 hours a week, regardless of the number of days actually worked per week.
(4) The insurer shall resolve wage disputes by contacting the employer to confirm the correct wage and then contacting the worker with that information. If the worker does not agree with the wage calculated by the insurer, the worker may request a hearing with the Hearings Division of the Workers’ Compensation Board.
(5) The rate of compensation for workers regularly employed, but paid on other than a daily or weekly basis, or employed with unscheduled, irregular or no earnings shall be computed on the wages determined by this rule.
(a) For workers employed seasonally, on call, paid hourly, paid by piece work or with varying hours, shifts or wages:
(A) Insurers must use the worker’s average weekly earnings with the employer at injury for the 52 weeks prior to the date of injury. For workers with multiple employers at the time of injury who qualify under ORS 656.210(2)(b) and OAR 436-060-0035, insurers shall average all earnings for the 52 weeks prior to the date of injury. For workers employed less than 52 weeks or where extended gaps exist, insurers must use the actual weeks of employment (excluding any extended gaps) with the employer at injury or all earnings, if the worker qualifies under ORS 656.210(2)(b) and OAR 436-060-0035, up to the previous 52 weeks. For the purpose of this rule, gaps shall not be added together and must be considered on a claim-by-claim basis; the determination of whether a gap is extended must be made in light of its length and of the circumstances of the individual employment relationship itself, including whether the parties contemplated that such gaps would occur when they formed the relationship. For workers employed less than four weeks, insurers shall use the intent of the wage earning agreement as confirmed by the employer and the worker. For the purpose of this section, the wage earning agreement may be either oral or in writing.
(B)(i) Where there has been a change in the wage earning agreement due only to a pay increase or decrease during the 52 weeks prior to the date of injury, insurers must use the worker’s average weekly hours worked for the 52 week period, or lesser period as required in (5)(a)(A) of this section, multiplied by the wage at injury to determine the worker’s current average weekly earnings.
(ii) Where there has been a change in the wage earning agreement due to a change of hours worked, change of job duties, or for other reasons either with or without a pay increase or decrease, during the 52 weeks prior to the date of injury, insurers must average earnings for the weeks worked under the most recent wage earning agreement, calculated by the method described in (5)(a)(A).
(iii) For workers employed less than four weeks under a changed wage earning agreement as described in this subsection, insurers must use the intent of the most recent wage earning agreement as confirmed by the employer and the worker.
(iv) For determining benefits under this rule for occupational disease claims, in place of “the date of injury,” insurers must use the wage at the date of disability if the worker was working at the time of medical verification of the inability to work. If the worker was not working due to the injury at the time of medical verification of the inability to work insurers must use the wage at the date of last regular employment.
(b) For workers employed through a temporary service provider on a “temporary basis,” or a worker-leasing company as defined in OAR 436-050, insurers will determine the weekly wage by the method provided in subsection (a) of this section. However, each job assignment shall not be considered a new wage earning agreement.
(c) For workers paid salary plus considerations (e.g. rent, utilities, food, etc.) insurers must compute the rate on salary only if the considerations continue during the period the worker is disabled due to the injury. If the considerations do not continue, the insurer must use salary plus a reasonable value of those considerations. Expenses incurred due to the job and reimbursed by the employer (e.g. meals, lodging, per diem, equipment rental) are not considered part of the wage.
(d) Earnings from a second job will be considered for calculating temporary partial disability only to the extent that the post-injury income from the second job exceeds the pre-injury income from the second job (i.e., increased hours or increased wage).
(e) For workers employed where tips are a part of the worker’s earnings insurers must use the wages actually paid, plus the amount of tips required to be reported by the employer under section 6053 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, or the amount of actual tips reported by the worker, whichever amount is greater.
(f) Insurers shall consider overtime hours only when the worker worked overtime on a regular basis. Overtime earnings must be included in the computation at the overtime rate. For example, if the worker worked one day of overtime per month, use 40 hours at regular wage and two hours at the overtime wage to compute the weekly rate. If overtime varies in hours worked per day or week, use the averaging method described in subsection (a). One-half day or more will be considered a full day when determining the number of days worked per week.
(g) Bonus pay shall be considered only when provided as part of the written or verbal employment contract as a means to increase the worker’s wages. End-of-the-year and other one time bonuses paid at the employer’s discretion shall not be included in the calculation of compensation.
(h) Incentive pay shall be considered only when regularly earned. If incentive pay earnings vary, use the averaging method described in subsection (a).
(i) Covered workers with no wage earnings such as volunteers, jail inmates, etc., must have their benefits computed on the same assumed wage as that upon which the employer’s premium is based.
(j) For workers paid by commission only or commission plus wages insurers must use the worker’s average commission earnings for previous 52 weeks, if available. For workers without 52 weeks of earnings, insurers must use the assumed wage on which premium is based. Any regular wage in addition to commission must be included in the wage from which compensation is computed.
(k) For workers who are sole proprietors, partners, officers of corporations, or limited liability company members including managers, insurers must use the assumed wage on which the employer’s premium is based.
(l) For school teachers or workers paid in a like manner, insurers must use the worker’s annual salary divided by 52 weeks to arrive at weekly wage. Temporary disability benefits shall extend over the calendar year.
(m) For workers with cyclic schedules, insurers must average the hours of the entire cycle to determine the weekly wage. For purposes of temporary disability payments, the cycle shall be considered to have no scheduled days off. For example: A worker who works ten hours for seven days, has seven scheduled days off, then repeats the cycle, is considered to have a 14 day cycle. The weekly wage and payment schedule would be based on 35 hours a week with no scheduled days off.
(6) When a working shift extends into another calendar day, the date of injury shall be the date used for payroll purposes by the employer.
[ED. NOTE: Forms referenced are available from the agency.]

[Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.210(2), 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.210, 656.704, 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCB 12-1970, f. 9-21-70, ef. 10-25-70; 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0212, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90, Renumbered from 436-060-0020 former sections (6), (7), (8), (9) & (10); WCD 1-1992, f. 1-3-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 21-1996, f. 10-18-96, cert. ef. 11-27-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0030
Payment of Temporary Partial Disability Compensation
(1) The amount of temporary partial disability compensation due a worker shall be determined by:
(a) Subtracting post-injury wage earnings by the worker from any kind of work from
(b) The wage used to compute the rate of compensation at the time of injury; then
(c) Dividing the difference by the wage earnings used in subsection (b) to arrive at the percentage of loss of wages; then
(d) Multiplying the current temporary total disability compensation rate by the percentage of loss of wages in subsection (c).
(2) Notwithstanding section (1), for workers whose rate of compensation is based on an assumed wage, "post-injury wage earnings" will be that proportion of the assumed wage which the hours worked during the period of temporary partial disability represent as a percentage of the hours worked prior to the injury.
(3) An insurer shall cease paying temporary total disability compensation and start paying temporary partial disability compensation under section (1) from the date an injured worker begins wage earning employment, prior to claim closure, unless the worker refuses modified work under ORS 656.268(4)(c)(A) through (F). If the worker is with a new employer and upon request of the insurer to provide wage information, it shall be the worker's responsibility to provide documented evidence of the amount of any wages being earned. Failure to do so shall be cause for the insurer to assume that post-injury wages are the same as or higher than the worker's wages at time of injury.
(4) For the purpose of section (5) of this rule:
(a) "Commute" means the lesser of the distance traveled from the worker's residence at the time of injury to the work site or the worker's residence at the time of the modified work offer to the work site;
(b) "Where the worker was injured" means the location where the worker customarily reported or worked at the time of injury; and
(c) "Temporary employees" has the same meaning as defined in OAR 436-050-0420.
(5) Under ORS 656.325(5)(a), an insurer shall cease paying temporary total disability compensation and start paying temporary partial disability compensation under section (1) as if the worker had begun the employment when an injured worker fails to begin wage earning employment, under the following conditions:
(a) The employer or insurer:
(A) Notifies the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner of the physical tasks to be performed by the injured worker;
(B) Notifies the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner of the location of the modified work offer; and
(C) Asks the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner if the worker can, as a result of the compensable injury, physically commute to and perform the job.
(b) The attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner agrees the employment appears to be within the worker's capabilities and the commute is within the physical capacity of the worker; and
(c) The employer or insurer has confirmed the offer of employment in writing to the worker stating:
(A) The beginning time, date and place;
(B) The duration of the job, if known;
(C) The wages;
(D) An accurate description of the physical requirements of the job;
(E) That the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner has found the job to be within the worker's capabilities and the commute within the worker's physical capacity;
(F) The worker's right to refuse the offer of employment without termination of temporary total disability if any of the following conditions apply:
(i) The offer is at a site more than 50 miles from where the worker was injured, unless the work site is less than 50 miles from the worker's residence, or the intent of the employer and worker at the time of hire or as established by the employment pattern prior to the injury was that the job involved multiple or mobile work sites and the worker could be assigned to any such site. Examples of such sites include, but are not limited to logging, trucking, construction workers, and temporary employees;
(ii) The offer is not with the employer at injury;
(iii) The offer is not at a work site of the employer at injury;
(iv) The offer is not consistent with existing written shift change policy or common practice of the employer at injury or aggravation; or
(v) The offer is not consistent with an existing shift change provision of an applicable union contract; and
(G) The following notice, in prominent or bold face type:
"If you refuse this offer of work for any of the reasons listed in this notice, you should write to the insurer or employer and tell them your reason(s) for refusing the job. If the insurer reduces or stops your temporary total disability and you disagree with that action, you have the right to request a hearing. To request a hearing you must send a letter objecting to the insurer's action(s) to the Worker's Compensation Board, 2601 25th Street SE, Suite 150, Salem, Oregon 97302-1282."
(6) Under ORS 656.325(5)(b), the insurer shall cease paying temporary total disability compensation and start paying temporary partial disability compensation under section (1) as if the worker had begun the employment when the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner approves employment in a modified job that would have been offered to the worker if the worker had not been terminated from employment for violation of work rules or other disciplinary reasons, under the following conditions:
(a) The employer has a written policy of offering modified work to injured workers;
(b) The insurer has written documentation of the hours available to work and the wages that would have been paid if the worker had returned to work in order to determine the amount of temporary partial disability compensation under section (1);
(c) The attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner has been notified by the employer or insurer of the physical tasks to be performed by the injured worker; and
(d) The attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner agrees the employment appears to be within the worker's capabilities.
(7) Under ORS 656.325(5)(c), the insurer shall cease paying temporary total disability compensation and start paying temporary partial disability compensation under section (1) as if the worker had begun the employment when the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner approves employment in a modified job whether or not such a job is available if the worker is a person present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws, under the following conditions:
(a) The insurer has written documentation of the hours available to work and the wages that would have been paid if the worker had returned to work in order to determine the amount of temporary partial disability compensation under section (1);
(b) The attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner has been notified by the employer or insurer of the physical tasks that would have been performed by the injured worker; and
(c) The attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner agrees the employment appears to be within the worker's capabilities.
(8) Temporary partial disability must be paid at the full temporary total disability rate as of the date a modified job no longer exists or the job offer is withdrawn by the employer. This includes, but is not limited to, termination of temporary employment, layoff or plant closure. A worker who has been released to and doing modified work at the same wage as at the time of injury from the onset of the claim shall be included in this section. For the purpose of this rule, when a worker who has been doing modified work quits the job or the employer terminates the worker for violation of work rules or other disciplinary reasons it is not a withdrawal of a job offer by the employer, but shall be considered the same as the worker refusing wage earning employment under ORS 656.325(5)(a). This section does not apply to those situations described in sections (5), (6), and (7) of this rule.
(9) When the worker's disability is partial only and temporary in character, temporary partial disability compensation under ORS 656.212 shall continue until:
(a) The attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner verifies that the worker can no longer perform the modified job and is again temporarily totally disabled;
(b) The compensation is terminated by order of the division or by claim closure by the insurer under ORS 656.268; or
(c) The compensation is lawfully suspended, withheld or terminated for any other reason.
(10) In determining failure on the part of the worker in section (5) and for purposes of subsection (1)(a), "post-injury wages" are the wages the worker could have earned by accepting a job offer, or actual wages earned, whichever is greater, and any unemployment, sick or vacation leave payments received.
(11) If temporary disability benefits end because the insurer or employer:
(a) Speaks by telephone with the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner, or the attending physician's or authorized nurse practitioner's office, and negotiates a verbal release of the worker to return to any type of work as a result, when no return to work was previously authorized; and
(b) The worker has not already been informed of the release by the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner or returned to work; then
(c) The insurer must:
(A) Document the facts;
(B) Communicate the release to the worker by mail within 7 days; the communication to the worker of the negotiated return to work release may be contained in an offer of modified employment; and
(C) Advise the worker of their reinstatement rights under ORS chapter 659A.
(12) The insurer must provide the injured worker and the worker's attorney a written notice of the reasons for changes in the compensation rate, and the method of computation, whenever a change is made.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.212, 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.212, 656.325(5), 656.704, 656.726(2) & Ch. 865(12) (4)(c) OL 2001

Hist.: WCD 6-1978(Admin), f. & ef. 4-27-78; WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0222, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 1-1992, f. 1-3-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 1-1994(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-1-94; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 10-1995(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-18-95; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 21-1996, f. 10-18-96, cert. ef. 11-27-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 13-2003(Temp), f. 12-15-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04 thru 2-28-04; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
436-060-0035
Supplemental Disability for Workers with Multiple Jobs at the Time of Injury
(1) For the purpose of this rule:
(a) “Assigned processing
administrator” is the company or business that the director has selected and
authorized to process and pay supplemental disability benefits on behalf of the
director, when the insurer has elected not to process and pay these benefits.
(b) “Primary job”
means the job at which the injury occurred.
(c) “Secondary job”
means any other job(s) held by the worker in Oregon subject employment at the time
of injury.
(d) “Temporary disability”
means wage loss replacement for the primary job.
(e) “Supplemental disability”
means wage loss replacement for the secondary job(s) that exceeds the temporary
disability, up to, but not exceeding, the maximum established by ORS 656.210.
(f) “Verifiable documentation”
means information that provides:
(A) Identification of the
Oregon subject employer(s) and the time period that establishes the worker held
the secondary job, in addition to the primary job, at the time of injury; and
(B) Adequate information
to calculate the average weekly wage in accordance with OAR 436-060-0025.
(g) “Insurer”
includes service company.
(2) The insurer shall establish
the temporary disability rate by multiplying the weekly wage, determined under OAR
436-060-0025, from the primary employer by 66 2/3% (.6667). If the result meets
or exceeds the maximum temporary disability rate, the worker is not eligible for
supplemental disability benefits.
(3) Within five business
days of receiving notice or knowledge of employment in addition to the primary job
on a claim on which the temporary disability rate for the primary job does not meet
or exceed the maximum rate, the insurer must:
(a) Send the worker an initial
notice informing the worker what type of information the insurer or the assigned
processing administrator must receive to determine the worker’s eligibility
for supplemental disability.
(b) Clearly advise the worker,
in the initial notice, that the insurer must receive verifiable documentation within
60 days of the mailing date of the notice or the worker shall be found ineligible
for supplemental disability.
(c) Copy the assigned processing
administrator, if the insurer has elected not to process and pay supplemental disability
benefits. The notice must contain the name, address, and telephone number of the
assigned processing administrator, and must clearly advise the worker that the verifiable
documentation must be sent to the assigned processing administrator.
(4) The initial notice in
section (3) must inform the worker that if the verifiable documentation is not received,
the insurer will determine the worker’s temporary disability rate based only
on the job at which the injury occurred. Any delay in the payment of a higher disability
rate because of the worker’s failure to provide verifiable documentation under
this paragraph will not result in a penalty under ORS 656.262(11).
(5) Within 14 days of receiving
the worker’s verifiable documentation, the insurer or the assigned processing
administrator must determine the worker’s eligibility for supplemental disability
and must communicate the decision to the worker and the worker’s representative,
if any, in writing. The letter must also advise the worker why he/she is not eligible
when that is the decision and how to appeal the decision, if the worker disagrees
with the decision.
(6) A worker is eligible
if:
(a) The worker was employed
at the secondary job by an Oregon subject employer at the time of the injury,
(b) The worker provides notification
of a secondary job to the insurer within 30 days of the insurer’s receipt
of the initial claim, and
(c) The worker’s temporary
disability rate from wages at the primary job does not meet or exceed the maximum
rate under section (2) of this rule.
(7) The insurer or the assigned
processing administrator must calculate supplemental disability for an eligible
worker by adding all earnings the worker received from all subject employment, except
the assumed wage from secondary employment for Oregon subject volunteers, under
ORS 656.210(2)(a)(B). In no case shall an eligible worker receive less compensation
than would be paid if based solely on wages from the primary employer.
(8) If the temporary disability
rate from the primary employer does not meet or exceed the maximum rate, the insurer
or the assigned processing administrator must combine the weekly wages, determined
under OAR 436-060-0025, for each employer and multiply by 66 2/3% (.6667) to establish
the combined disability rate up to the maximum rate. This is the base amount on
which the worker’s combined benefits will be calculated.
(9) No three-day waiting
period applies to supplemental disability benefits.
(10) The worker’s scheduled
days off for the job at which the injury occurred shall be used to calculate and
pay supplemental disability.
(11) To establish the combined
partial disability benefits when the worker has post injury wages from either job,
the insurer or the assigned processing administrator must use all post injury wages
from both primary and all secondary employers. The insurer or the assigned processing
administrator must calculate the amount due the worker based on the combined wages
at injury and combined post injury wages using the temporary partial disability
calculation in OAR 436-060-0030. The insurer or the assigned processing administrator
must then calculate the amount due from the primary job based only on the primary
wages at injury and the primary post injury wages. That amount shall be subtracted
from the amount due the worker; the remainder is the supplemental disability amount.
(12) If the worker receives
post injury wages from the secondary job equal to or greater than the secondary
wages at the time of injury, no supplemental disability is due.
(13) If the worker returns
to a job not held at the time of the injury, the insurer or the assigned processing
administrator must process supplemental disability under the same terms, conditions
and limitations as OAR 436-060-0030.
(14) Supplemental disability
may be due on a nondisabling claim even if temporary disability is not due from
the primary job. The nondisabling claim will not change to disabling status due
to payment of supplemental disability. When supplemental disability payments cease
on a nondisabling claim, the insurer or the assigned processing administrator must
send the worker written notice advising the worker that their supplemental disability
payments have stopped and of the worker’s right to appeal that action to the
Workers’ Compensation Board within 60 days of the notice, if the worker disagrees.
(15) If the insurer has elected
to process and pay supplemental disability under ORS 656.210(5)(a), the insurer
must determine the worker’s on-going entitlement to supplemental disability
and must pay the worker supplemental disability simultaneously with any temporary
disability due. Reimbursement for supplemental disability paid will be made under
OAR 436-060-0500.
(16) If the insurer has elected
not to process and pay supplemental disability, the assigned processing administrator
must determine the worker’s on-going entitlement to supplemental disability
and must pay the worker supplemental disability due once each 14 days.
(17) A worker who is eligible
for supplemental disability under section (5) of this rule has an on-going responsibility
to provide information and documentation to the insurer or the assigned processing
administrator, even if temporary disability is not due from the primary job.
(18) If the insurer has elected
not to process and pay supplemental disability, the insurer must cooperate and communicate
with the assigned processing administrator and both must retain documentation of
shared information, as necessary, to coordinate benefits due.
(19) Supplemental disability
applies to occupational disease claims in the same manner as to injury claims. Supplemental
disability benefits for an occupational disease shall be based on the worker’s
combined primary and secondary wages at the time there is medical verification the
worker is unable to work because of the disability.
(20) When an insurer elects
to pay supplemental disability under ORS 656.210(5)(a) and OAR 436-060-0010(20)
and receive reimbursement under OAR 436-060-0500, the insurer must maintain a record
of supplemental disability paid to the worker, separate from temporary disability
paid as a result of the job at injury.
(21) If a worker disagrees
with the insurer’s or the assigned processing administrator’s decision
about the worker’s eligibility for supplemental disability or the rate of
supplemental disability, the worker may request a hearing before the Hearings Division
of the Workers’ Compensation Board. If the worker chooses to request a hearing
on the insurer’s decision concerning the worker’s eligibility for supplemental
disability, the worker must submit an appeal of the insurer’s or the assigned
processing administrator’s decision within 60 days of the notice in section
(5) of this rule. However, the insurer for the primary job is not required to contact
the secondary job employer. The worker is responsible to provide any necessary documentation.
(22) An insurer who elects
not to process and pay supplemental disability benefits may be sanctioned upon a
worker’s complaint if the insurer delays sending necessary information to
the assigned processing administrator and that delay causes a delay in the worker
receiving supplemental disability benefits.
(23) In the event of a third
party recovery, previously reimbursed supplemental disability benefits are a portion
of the paying agency’s lien.
(24) Remittance on recovered
benefits shall be made to the department in the quarter following the recovery in
amounts determined in accordance with ORS 656.591 and ORS 656.593.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.210, 656.704 &
656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.210,
656.325(5), 656.704, 656.726(4)
Hist.: WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01,
cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 6-2002(Temp), f. 4-22-02, cert. ef. 5-10-02 thru 11-5-02;
WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 9-2003(Temp), f. 8-29-03, cert. ef.
9-2-03 thru 2-28-04; WCD 11-2003(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-22-03 thru 2-28-03;
WCD 13-2003(Temp), f. 12-15-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04 thru 2-28-04; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04
cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05,
cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2006, f. 6-15-06, cert. ef. 7-1-06; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08,
cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; WCD 7-2015, f. 10-12-15,
cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0040
Payment of Permanent Partial Disability Compensation
(1) Permanent partial disability exceeding $6,000 may be paid monthly by the insurer. If it is paid monthly, it must be paid at 4.35 times the weekly temporary disability rate at the time of closure.
(2) If a claim is reopened as a result of a new medical condition or an aggravation of the worker's accepted condition(s) and temporary disability is due, any permanent partial disability benefits due must continue to be paid concurrently with temporary disability benefits.
(3) If the worker begins a training program after claim closure, the insurer must suspend the payment of any work disability award, but continue to pay any impairment award.
(4) The insurer must stop temporary disability compensation payments and resume any award payments suspended under ORS 656.268(10) upon the worker's completion or ending of the training, unless the worker is not then medically stationary. If no award payment remains due, temporary disability compensation payments must continue pending a subsequent claim closure.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.268(10), 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.268(10), 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0232, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
436-060-0045
Payment of Compensation During Worker Incarceration
(1) A worker is not eligible to receive temporary disability compensation for periods of time during which the worker is incarcerated for commission of a crime. All other compensation benefits must be provided the worker as if the worker were not incarcerated, except as provided in OAR 436-120. For the purpose of this rule:
(a) A worker is incarcerated for commission of a crime when:
(A) In pretrial detention, or
(B) Imprisoned following conviction for a crime.
(b) A worker is not incarcerated if the worker is on parole or work release status.
(2) Temporary disability compensation, if due and payable, must be paid the worker within 14 days of the date the insurer becomes aware the worker is no longer incarcerated.
(3) A worker who is incarcerated shall have the same right to claim closure under ORS 656.268 as a worker who is not incarcerated. Any permanent disability awarded must be paid the same as if the worker were not incarcerated.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.160, 656.704, & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.160, 656.704, & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 19-1990(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-18-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 1-1992, f. 1-3-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05
436-060-0055
Payment of Medical Services on Nondisabling Claims; Employer/Insurer Responsibility
Under ORS 656.262(5) the director will establish the maximum reimbursable amount for medical services. The maximum reimbursable amount will be published annually by Bulletin No. 345. The costs of medical services for nondisabling claims must first be paid by the insurer. Then the insurer may be reimbursed by the employer if the employer so chooses. Such choice does not relieve the employers of their claim reporting requirements or the insurers of their responsibility to determine entitlement to benefits and process the claims accurately and timely. Also, when paid by the employer, such costs cannot in any way be used to affect the employer's experience rating modification or otherwise be charged against the employer. To enable the director to ensure these conditions are met, insurers and employers must comply with the following process and procedures:
(1) Notwithstanding the choice made by the employer under section (2) of this rule, the employer and insurer must process the nondisabling claims in accordance with all statutes and rules governing claims processing. The employer, however, may reimburse the medical service costs paid by the insurer if the employer has chosen to make such payments. The method and manner of reimbursement by the employer shall be as prescribed in section (3) of this rule. In no case, however, shall the employer have less than 30 days to reimburse the insurer.
(2) Prior to the commencement of each policy year, the insurer must send a notice to the insured or prospective insured, advising of the employer's right to reimburse medical service costs up to the maximum amount established by the director on accepted, nondisabling claims. The notice must advise the employer:
(a) Of the procedure for making such payments as outlined in section (3) of this rule;
(b) Of the general impact on the employer if the employer chooses to make such payments;
(c) That the employer is choosing not to participate if the employer does not respond in writing within 30 days of receipt of the insurer's notice;
(d) That the employer's written election to participate in the reimbursement program remains in effect, without further notice from the insurer, until the employer advises otherwise in writing or is no longer insured by the insurer; and
(e) That the employer may participate later in the policy period upon written request to the insurer, however, the earliest reimbursement period shall be the first completed period, established under subsection (3)(a) of this rule, following receipt of the employer's request.
(3) If the employer wishes to make such reimbursement, and so advises the insurer in writing, the procedure for reimbursement shall be:
(a) Within 30 days following each three month period after policy inception or a period mutually agreed upon by the employer and insurer, the insurer must provide the employer with a list of all accepted nondisabling claims for which payments were made during that period and the respective cost of each claim.
(b) The employer, no later than 30 days after receipt of the list, must identify those claims and the dollar amount the employer wishes to pay for that period and reimburse the insurer accordingly.
(c) Failure by the employer to reimburse the insurer within the 30 days allowed by subsection (3)(b) of this rule shall be deemed notice to the insurer that the employer does not wish to make a reimbursement for that period.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (3)(b) of this rule, the employer and insurer may, by written agreement, establish a period in excess of thirty (30) days for the employer to reimburse the insurer.
(e) The insurer shall continue to bill the employer for any payments made on the claims within 27 months of the inception of the policy period. Any further billing and reimbursement will be made only by mutual agreement between the employer and the insurer.
(4) Insurers must maintain records of amounts reimbursed by employers for medical services on nondisabling claims. Insurers, however, shall not modify an employer's experience rating or otherwise make charges against the employer for any medical services reimbursed by the employer. For employers on retrospective rated plans, medical costs paid by the employer on nondisabling claims must be included in the retrospective premium calculation, but the amount paid by the employer shall be applied as credits against the resulting retrospective premium.
(5) If a claim changes from a nondisabling to a disabling claim and the insurer has recovered reimbursement from the employer for medical costs billed by the insurer prior to the change, the insurer shall exclude those amounts reimbursed from any experience rating, or other individual or group rating plans of the employer. If the employer is on a retrospective rated plan, premium calculation shall be as provided in section (4) of this rule.
(6) Insurers who do not comply with the requirements of this rule or in any way prohibit an employer from reimbursing the insurer under section (3) of this rule, shall be subject to a penalty as provided by OAR 436-060-0200(7).
(7) Self-insured employers must maintain records of all amounts paid for medical services on nondisabling claims in accordance with OAR 436-050-0220. When reporting loss data for experience rating, the self-insured may exclude costs for medical services paid on nondisabling claims in amounts not to exceed the maximum amount established by the director.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.262(5), 656.704, 656.726(4) & 656.745

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.262(5), 656.704 & 656.726(4), Ch. 518 OL 2007

Hist.: WCD 10-1987(Temp), f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 4-1988, f. 6-27-88, cert. ef. 7-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 10-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08
436-060-0060
Lump Sum Payment of Permanent Partial Disability Awards
(1) Under ORS 656.230, in all cases where an award for permanent partial disability does not exceed $6,000, the insurer must pay all of the award to the worker in a lump sum. When the award for permanent partial disability exceeds $6,000, the insurer may approve an application from the worker or worker’s representative for lump sum payment of all or part of the award. The insurer may deny the request for lump sum payment if any of the following apply:
(a) The worker has not waived the right to appeal the adequacy of the award;
(b) The award has not become final by operation of law;
(c) The payment of compensation has been stayed pending a request for hearing or review under ORS 656.313; or
(d) The worker is enrolled and actively engaged in training according to the rules adopted pursuant to ORS 656.340 and 656.726. For dates of injury prior to January 1, 2005, the insurer may not approve a request for lump sum payment of unscheduled permanent disability. For dates of injury on or after January 1, 2005, the insurer may not approve a request for lump sum payment of work disability when the worker:
(A) Has been found eligible for a vocational training program and will start the program within 30 days of the date of the decision on the lump sum request;
(B) Is actively enrolled and engaged in a vocational training program under OAR 436-120; or
(C) Has temporarily withdrawn from such a program.
(2) When an insurer receives a request for a lump sum application from the worker or the worker’s representative, the insurer must send the lump sum application, Form 1174, to the requestor within ten business days.
(3) For the purpose of this rule, each opening of the claim is considered a separate claim and any subsequent permanent partial disability award from a claim reopening is a new and separate award. Additional award of permanent partial disability obtained through the appeal process is considered part of the total cumulative award for the open period of that claim.
(4) If the insurer agrees with the worker’s request for lump sum payment of a permanent partial disability award in excess of $6,000, they must make the lump sum payment within 14 days of receipt of the signed application.
(5) If the insurer disagrees with the worker’s request for lump sum payment of a permanent partial disability award in excess of $6,000, the insurer must respond to the requestor within 14 days of receiving the request explaining the reason for denying the lump sum request.
(6) A lump sum payment ordered in a litigation order or which is a part of a Claim Disposition Agreement under ORS 656.236 does not require further approval by the insurer .
(7) When a partial payment is approved by the insurer , it shall be in addition to the regularly scheduled monthly payment. The remaining balance shall be paid under ORS 656.216. Denial or partial approval of a request does not prevent another request by the worker for a lump sum payment of all or part of any remainder of the award, provided additional information is submitted.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.230, 656.704, 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCB 6-1966, f. & ef. 6-24-66; WCB 5-1974, f. 2-13-74, ef. 3-11-74; WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0250, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 10-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09
436-060-0095
Medical Examinations; Suspension of Compensation; and Insurer Medical Examination Notice
(1) The division will suspend compensation by order under conditions set forth in this rule. The worker must have the opportunity to dispute the suspension of compensation prior to issuance of the order. The worker is not entitled to compensation during or for the period of suspension when the worker refuses or fails to submit to, or otherwise obstructs, an independent medical examination reasonably requested by the insurer or the director under ORS 656.325(1). Compensation will be suspended until the examination has been completed. The conditions of the examination shall be consistent with conditions described in OAR 436-010-0265. Any action of a friend or family member which obstructs the examination shall be considered an obstruction of the examination by the worker for the purpose of this rule. The division may determine whether special circumstances exist that would not warrant suspension of compensation for failure to attend or obstruction of the examination.
(2) The division will consider requests to authorize suspension of benefits on accepted claims, deferred claims and on denied claims in which the worker has appealed the insurer’s denial.
(3) A worker must submit to independent medical examinations reasonably requested by the insurer or the director. The insurer may request no more than three separate independent medical examinations for each open period of a claim, except as provided under OAR 436-010. Examinations after the worker’s claim is closed are subject to limitations in ORS 656.268(8).
(4) The insurer may contract with a third party to schedule independent medical examinations. If the third party notifies the worker of a scheduled examination on behalf of the insurer, the appointment notice is required to be sent on the insurer’s stationery and must conform with the requirements of OAR 436-060-0095(5).
(5) If an examination is scheduled by the insurer or by another party at the request of the insurer, the worker and the worker’s attorney shall be simultaneously notified in writing of the scheduled medical examination under ORS 656.331. The notice shall be sent at least 10 days prior to the examination. The notice sent for each appointment, including those which have been rescheduled, must contain the following:
(a) The name of the examiner or facility;
(b) A statement of the specific purpose for the examination and, identification of the medical specialties of the examiners;
(c) The date, time and place of the examination;
(d) The first and last name of the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner and verification that the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner was informed of the examination by, at least, a copy of the appointment notice, or a statement that there is no attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner, whichever is appropriate;
(e) If applicable, confirmation that the director has approved the examination;
(f) That the reasonable cost of public transportation or use of a private vehicle will be reimbursed and that, when necessary, reasonable cost of child care, meals, lodging and other related services will be reimbursed. A request for reimbursement must be accompanied by a sales slip, receipt or other evidence necessary to support the request. Should an advance of these costs be necessary for attendance, a request for advancement must be made in sufficient time to ensure a timely appearance;
(g) That an amount will be paid equivalent to net lost wages for the period during which it is necessary to be absent from work to attend the medical examination if benefits are not received under ORS 656.210(4) during the absence;
(h) That the worker has the right to have an observer present at the examination, but the observer may not be compensated in any way for attending the exam; however, for a psychological examination, the notice must explain that an observer is allowed to be present only if the examination provider approves the presence of an observer; and
(i) The following notice in prominent or bold face type:
“You must attend this examination. If there is any reason you cannot attend, you must tell the insurer as soon as possible before the date of the examination. If you fail to attend and do not have a good reason for not attending, or you fail to cooperate with the examination, your workers’ compensation benefits may be suspended in accordance with the workers’ compensation law and rules, ORS 656.325 and OAR 436-060. You may be charged a $100 penalty if you fail to attend without a good reason or if you fail to notify the insurer before the examination. The penalty is taken out of future benefits.
If you object to the location of this appointment you must contact the Workers’ Compensation Division at 1-800-452-0288 or 503-947-7585 within six business days of the mailing date of this notice. If you have questions about your rights or responsibilities, you may call the Workers’ Compensation Division at 1-800-452-0288 or 503-947-7585 or the Ombudsman for Injured Workers at 1-800-927-1271.”
(6) The insurer must include with each appointment notice it sends to the worker:
(a) A form for requesting reimbursement; and
(b) The director’s brochure, Form 440-3923, “Important Information about Independent Medical Exams.”
(7) Child care costs reimbursed at the rate prescribed by the State of Oregon Department of Human Services, comply with this rule.
(8) The request for suspension must be sent to the division. A copy of the request, including all attachments, must be sent simultaneously to the worker and the worker’s attorney by registered or certified mail or by personal service as for a summons. The request must include the following information:
(a) That the insurer requests suspension of benefits under ORS 656.325 and OAR 436-060-0095;
(b) The claim status and any accepted or newly claimed conditions;
(c) What specific actions of the worker prompted the request;
(d) The dates of any prior independent medical examinations the worker has attended in the current open period of the claim and the names of the examining physicians or facilities, or a statement that there have been no prior examinations, whichever is appropriate;
(e) A copy of any approvals given by the director for more than three independent medical examinations, or a statement that no approval was necessary, whichever is appropriate;
(f) Any reasons given by the worker for failing to comply, whether or not the insurer considers the reasons invalid, or a statement that the worker has not given any reasons, whichever is appropriate;
(g) The date and with whom failure to comply was verified. Any written verification of the worker’s refusal to attend the exam received by the insurer from the worker or the worker’s representative will be sufficient documentation with which to request suspension;
(h) A copy of the letter required in section (5) and a copy of any written verification received under subsection (8)(g);
(i) Any other information which supports the request; and
(j) The following notice in prominent or bold face type:
“Notice to worker: If you think this request to suspend your compensation is wrong, you should immediately write to the Workers’ Compensation Division, 350 Winter Street NE, PO Box 14480, Salem, Oregon 97309-0405. Your letter must be mailed within 10 days of the mailing date of this request. If the division grants this request, you may lose all or part of your benefits. If your claim has not yet been accepted, your future benefits, if any, will be jeopardized.”
(9) If the division consents to suspend compensation, the suspension shall be effective from the date the worker fails to attend an examination or such other date the division deems appropriate until the date the worker undergoes an examination scheduled by the insurer or director. Any delay in requesting consent for suspension may result in authorization being denied or the date of authorization being modified.
(10) The insurer must assist the worker in meeting requirements necessary for the resumption of compensation payments. When the worker has undergone the independent medical examination, the insurer must verify the worker’s participation and reinstate compensation effective the date of the worker’s compliance.
(11) If the worker makes no effort to reinstate compensation in an accepted claim within 60 days of the mailing date of the consent to suspend order, the insurer must close the claim under OAR 436-030-0034(7).
(12) If the division denies the insurer’s request for suspension of compensation, it shall promptly notify the insurer of the reason for denial. Failure to comply with one or more of the requirements addressed in this rule may be grounds for denial of the insurer’s request.
(13) The division may also take the following actions concerning the suspension of compensation:
(a) Modify or set aside the order of consent before or after filing of a request for hearing.
(b) Order payment of compensation previously suspended where the division finds the suspension to have been made in error.
(c) Reevaluate the necessity of continuing a suspension.
(14) An order becomes final unless, within 60 days after the date of mailing of the order, a party files a request for hearing on the order with the Hearings Division of the Workers’ Compensation Board.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.325, 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.325, 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94, Renumbered from 436-060-0085(1),(2),(4); WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2000, f. 12-22-00, cert. ef. 1-1-01; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 13-2003(Temp), f. 12-15-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04 thru 2-28-04; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2006, f. 6-15-06, cert. ef. 7-1-06; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; WCD 1-2011, f. 3-1-11, cert. ef. 4-1-11
436-060-0105
Suspension of Compensation for Insanitary or Injurious Practices, Refusal of Treatment or Failure to Participate in Rehabilitation; Reduction of Benefits
(1) The division will suspend compensation by order under conditions set forth in this rule. The worker must have the opportunity to dispute the suspension of compensation prior to issuance of the order. The worker is not entitled to compensation during or for the period of suspension under ORS 656.325(2) when the worker commits insanitary or injurious acts which imperil or retard recovery; refuses to submit to medical or surgical treatment reasonably required to promote recovery; or fails or refuses to participate in a physical rehabilitation program.
(2) The insurer must demand in writing the worker either immediately cease actions which imperil or retard recovery or immediately begin to change the inappropriate behavior and participate in activities needed to help the worker recover from the injury. Such actions include insanitary or injurious practices, refusing essential medical or surgical treatment, or failing to participate in a physical rehabilitation program. Each time the insurer sends such a notice to the worker, the written demand must contain the following information, and a copy shall be sent simultaneously to the worker’s attorney and attending physician:
(a) A description of the unacceptable actions;
(b) Why such conduct is inappropriate, including the fact that the conduct is harmful or retards the worker’s recovery, as appropriate;
(c) The date by which the inappropriate actions must stop, or the date by which compliance is expected, including what the worker must specifically do to comply; and,
(d) The following notice of the consequences should the worker fail to correct the problem, in prominent or bold face type:
“If you continue to do insanitary or injurious acts beyond the date in this letter, or fail to consent to the medical or surgical treatment which is needed to help you recover from your injury, or fail to participate in physical rehabilitation needed to help you recover as much as possible from your injury, then we will request the suspension of your workers’ compensation benefits. In addition, you may also have any permanent disability award reduced in accordance with ORS 656.325 and OAR 436-060.”
(3) For the purposes of this rule, failure or refusal to accept medical treatment means the worker fails or refuses to remain under a physician’s or authorized nurse practitioner’s care or abide by a treatment regimen. A treatment regimen includes, but is not limited to a prescribed diet, exercise program, medication or other activity prescribed by the physician or authorized nurse practitioner that is designed to help the worker reach maximum recovery and become medically stationary.
(4) The insurer must verify whether the worker complied with the request for cooperation on the date specified in subsection (2)(c). If the worker initially agrees to comply, or complies and then refuses or fails to continue doing so, the insurer is not required to send further notice before requesting suspension of compensation.
(5) The request for suspension must be sent to the division. A copy of the request, including all attachments, must be sent simultaneously to the worker and the worker’s attorney by registered or certified mail or by personal service as for a summons. The request must include the following information:
(a) That the request for suspension is made in accordance with ORS 656.325 and OAR 436-060-0105;
(b) A description of the actions of the worker that prompted the request, including whether such actions continue;
(c) Any reasons offered by the worker to explain the behavior, or a statement that the worker has not provided any reasons, whichever is appropriate;
(d) How, when, and with whom the worker’s failure or refusal was verified;
(e) A copy of the letter required in section (2);
(f) Any other relevant information including, but not limited to; chart notes, surgical or physical therapy recommendations/prescriptions, and all physician or authorized nurse practitioner recommendations; and
(g) The following notice in prominent or bold face type:
“Notice to worker: If you think this request to suspend your compensation is wrong, you should immediately write to the Workers’ Compensation Division, 350 Winter Street NE, PO Box 14480, Salem, Oregon 97309-0405. Your letter must be mailed within 10 days of the mailing date of this request. If the division authorizes suspension of your compensation and you do not correct your unacceptable actions or show us a good reason why they should be considered acceptable, we will close your claim.”
(6) Any delay in obtaining confirmation or in requesting consent for suspension of compensation may result in authorization being denied or the date of authorization being modified by the date of actual confirmation or the date the request is received by the division.
(7) If the division concurs with the request, it shall issue an order suspending compensation from a date established under section (5) until the worker complies with the insurer’s request for cooperation. Where the worker is suspended for a pattern of noncooperation, the division may require the worker to demonstrate cooperation before restoring compensation.
(8) The insurer must monitor the claim to determine if and when the worker complies with the insurer’s requests. When cooperation resumes, payment of compensation must resume effective the date cooperation was resumed.
(9) The insurer must make all reasonable efforts to assist the worker to restore benefits when the worker demonstrates the willingness to make such efforts.
(10) If the worker makes no effort to reinstate benefits within 60 days of the mailing date of the consent order, the insurer must close the claim under OAR 436-030-0034.
(11) If the division denies the insurer’s request for suspension of compensation, it shall promptly notify the insurer of the reason for denial. The insurer’s failure to comply with one or more of the requirements addressed in this rule may be grounds for denial of the insurer’s request.
(12) The division may also take the following actions concerning the suspension of compensation:
(a) Modify or set aside the order of consent before or after filing of a request for hearing.
(b) Order payment of compensation previously suspended where the division finds the suspension to have been made in error.
(c) Reevaluate the necessity of continuing a suspension.
(13) An order becomes final unless, within 60 days after the date of mailing of the order, a party files a request for hearing on the order with the Hearings Division of the Workers’ Compensation Board.
(14) The director may reduce any benefits awarded the worker under ORS 656.268 when the worker has unreasonably failed to follow medical advice, or failed to participate in a physical rehabilitation or vocational assistance program prescribed for the worker under ORS chapter 656 and OAR chapter 436. Such benefits must be reduced by the amount of the increased disability reasonably attributable to the worker’s failure to cooperate. When an insurer submits a request to reduce benefits under this section, the insurer must:
(a) Specify the basis for the request;
(b) Include all supporting documentation;
(c) Send a copy of the request, including the supporting documentation, to the worker and the worker’s representative, if any, by certified mail; and
(d) Include the following notice in prominent or bold face type:
“Notice to worker: If you think this request to reduce your compensation is wrong, you should immediately write to the Workers’ Compensation Division, 350 Winter Street NE, PO Box 14480, Salem, Oregon 97309-0405. Your letter must be mailed within 10 days of the mailing date of this request. If the division grants this request, you may lose all or part of your benefits.”
(15) The division shall promptly make a decision on a request to reduce benefits and notify the parties of the decision. The insurer’s failure to comply with one or more of the requirements addressed in this rule may be grounds for denial of the request to reduce benefits.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.325, 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.325, 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94, Renumbered from 436-060-0085(1),(2),(4),(5); WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2000, f. 12-22-00, cert. ef. 1-1-01; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 13-2003(Temp), f. 12-15-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04 thru 2-28-04; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0135
Injured Worker, Worker Representative Responsible to Assist in Investigation; Suspension of Compensation and Notice to Worker
(1) When the worker refuses or fails to cooperate in an investigation of an initial claim for compensation, a claim for a new medical condition, a claim for an omitted medical condition, or an aggravation claim as required by ORS 656.262(14), the division will suspend compensation under ORS 656.262(15) by order under conditions set forth in this rule. The division may determine whether special circumstances exist that would not warrant suspension of compensation for failure to cooperate with an investigation. The worker must have the opportunity to submit information disputing the insurer’s request for suspension of compensation prior to issuance of the order.
(2) A worker must submit to and fully cooperate with personal and telephonic interviews and other formal or informal information gathering techniques reasonably requested by the insurer. For the purposes of this rule, “personal and telephonic interviews” may be audio or video taped by one or more of the parties if prior written notice is given of the intent to record or tape an interview.
(3) The division will consider requests for suspension of benefits under ORS 656.262(15) only after the insurer has notified the injured worker in writing of the worker’s obligation to cooperate as required by section (4) of this rule and only in claims where there has been no acceptance or denial issued.
(4) For suspension of benefits to be granted under this rule, the insurer must notify the worker in writing that an interview or deposition has been scheduled, or of other investigation requirements, and must give the worker at least 14 days to cooperate. The notice must be sent to the worker and copied to the worker’s attorney, if represented, and must advise the worker of the date, time and place of the interview and/or any other reasonable investigation requirements. If the insurer contracts with a third party, such as an investigation firm, to investigate the claim, the notice shall be on the insurer’s stationery and must conform with the requirements of this section. The notice must inform the worker that the interview, deposition, or any other investigation requirements are related to the worker’s compensation claim. The notice must also contain the following statement in prominent or bold face type:
“The workers’ compensation law requires injured workers to cooperate and assist the insurer or self-insured employer in the investigation of claims for compensation. Injured workers are required to submit to and fully cooperate with personal and telephonic interviews and other formal or informal information gathering techniques. If you fail to reasonably cooperate with the investigation of this claim, payment of your compensation benefits may be suspended and your claim may be denied in accordance with ORS 656.262 and OAR 436-060.”
(5) The request for suspension must be sent to the division after the 14 days in section (4) have expired. Any delay in requesting suspension may result in authorization being denied. A copy of the request, including all attachments, must be sent simultaneously to the worker and the worker’s attorney by registered or certified mail or by personal service. The request must include the following information sufficient to show the worker’s failure to cooperate:
(a) That the insurer requests suspension of benefits under ORS 656.262(15) and this rule;
(b) Documentation of the specific actions of the worker or worker’s representative that prompted the request;
(c) Any reasons given by the worker for failure to comply, or a statement that the worker has not given any reasons, whichever is appropriate;
(d) A copy of the notice required in section (4) of this rule; and
(e) All other pertinent information, including, but not limited to, a copy of the claim for a new or omitted condition when that is what the insurer is investigating.
(6) After receiving the insurer’s request as required in section (5) of this rule, the division will promptly notify all parties that the worker’s benefits will be suspended in five working days unless the worker or the worker’s attorney contacts the division by telephone or mails a letter documenting that the failure to cooperate was reasonable or unless the insurer notifies the division that the worker is now cooperating. The notice of the division will also advise that the insurer’s obligation to accept or deny the claim within 60 days is suspended unless the insurer’s request is filed with the division after the 60 days to accept or deny the claim has expired.
(7) If the worker cooperates after the insurer has requested suspension, the insurer must notify the division immediately to withdraw the suspension request. The division will notify all the parties. An order may be issued identifying the dates during which the insurer’s obligation to accept or deny the claim was suspended.
(8) If the worker documents the failure to cooperate was reasonable the division will not suspend payment of compensation. However, an order may be issued identifying the dates during which the insurer’s obligation to accept or deny the claim was suspended.
(9) If the worker has not documented that the failure to cooperate was reasonable, the division will issue an order suspending all or part of the payment of compensation to the worker. The suspension will be effective the fifth working day after notice is provided by the division as required by section (6) of this rule. The suspension of compensation shall remain in effect until the worker cooperates with the investigation. The worker and insurer must notify the division immediately when the worker cooperates with the investigation. If the worker makes no effort to reinstate compensation within 30 days of the date of the notice, the insurer may deny the claim under ORS 656.262(15) and OAR 436-060-0140(10).
(10) Under ORS 656.262(14), an insurer who believes that a worker’s attorney’s unwillingness or unavailability to participate in an interview is unreasonable may notify the director in writing and the division will consider assessment of a civil penalty against the attorney of not more than $1,000. The worker’s attorney must have the opportunity to dispute the allegation prior to the issuance of a penalty. Notice under this section must be sent to the division. A copy of the notice must be sent simultaneously to the worker and the worker’s attorney. Notice to the division by the insurer must contain the following information:
(a) What specific actions of the attorney prompted the request;
(b) Any reasons given by the attorney for failing to participate in the interview; and
(c) A copy of the request for interview sent to the attorney.
(11) Failure to comply with the requirements of this rule will be grounds for denial of the insurer’s request.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.262, 656.704, 656.726(4), OL 2009, ch. 526

Hist.: WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 17-1996(Temp), f. 8-5-96, cert. ef. 8-12-96; WCD 21-1996, f. 10-18-96, cert. ef. 11-27-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 6-2002(Temp), f. 4-22-02, cert. ef. 5-10-02 thru 11-5-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0137
Vocational Evaluations; and Suspension of Compensation
(1) A worker receiving permanent total disability benefits must attend a vocational evaluation reasonably requested by the insurer or the director. The insurer may request no more than three separate vocational evaluations, except as provided under this rule.
(2) When the insurer has obtained the three vocational evaluations allowed under ORS 656.206 and wishes to require the worker to attend an additional evaluation, the insurer must first request authorization from the director. Insurers that fail to first request authorization from the director may be assessed a civil penalty. The process for requesting authorization is as follows:
(a) The insurer must submit a request for authorization to the director in a form and format as prescribed by the director, which includes but is not limited to: the reasons for an additional vocational evaluation; the conditions to be evaluated; dates, times, places, and purposes of previous evaluations; copies of previous vocational evaluation notification letters to the worker; and any other information requested by the director; and
(b) The insurer must provide a copy of the request to the worker and the worker's attorney.
(3) The director will review the request and determine if additional information is needed. Upon receipt of a request for additional information from the director, the parties will have 14 days to respond. If the parties do not provide the requested information, the director will approve or disapprove the request for authorization based on available information.
(4) The director’s decision approving or denying more than three vocational evaluations may be appealed to the Hearings Division of the Workers' Compensation Board within 60 days of the order.
(5) For purposes of determining the number of insurer required vocational evaluations, any evaluations scheduled but not completed are not counted as a statutory vocational evaluation.
(6) The insurer may contract with a third party to schedule vocational evaluations. If the third party notifies the worker of a scheduled evaluation on behalf of the insurer, the third party must send the notice on the insurer’s stationery and the notice must conform with the requirements of OAR 436-060-0137(7).
(7) The notice must be sent to the worker at least 10 days prior to the evaluation. The notice sent for each evaluation, including those which have been rescheduled, must contain the following:
(a) The name of the vocational assistance provider or facility;
(b) A statement of the specific purpose for the evaluation;
(c) The date, time and place of the evaluation;
(d) The first and last name of the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner or a statement that there is no attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner, whichever is appropriate;
(e) If applicable, confirmation that the director has approved the evaluation;
(f) Notice to the worker that the reasonable cost of public transportation or use of a private vehicle will be reimbursed; when necessary, reasonable cost of child care, meals, lodging and other related services will be reimbursed; a request for reimbursement must be accompanied by a sales slip, receipt or other evidence necessary to support the request; should an advance of costs be necessary for attendance, a request for advancement must be made in sufficient time to ensure a timely appearance; and
(g) The following notice in prominent or bold face type:
“You must attend this vocational evaluation. If there is any reason you cannot attend, you must tell the insurer as soon as possible before the date of the evaluation. If you fail to attend or fail to cooperate, or do not have a good reason for not attending, your compensation benefits may be suspended in accordance with the workers’ compensation law and rules, ORS 656.206 and OAR 436-060. If you have questions about your rights or responsibilities, you may call the Workers’ Compensation Division at 1-800-452-0288 or the Ombudsman for Injured Workers at 1-800-927-1271.”
(8) The insurer must pay the costs of the vocational evaluation and related services reasonably necessary to allow the worker to attend the evaluation. Child care costs reimbursed at the rate prescribed by the State of Oregon Department of Human Services, comply with this rule.
(9) When the worker refuses or fails to attend, or otherwise obstructs, a vocational evaluation reasonably requested by the insurer or the director under ORS 656.206, the division may suspend the worker’s compensation.
(10) The insurer must send the request for suspension to the division. A copy of the request, including all attachments, must be sent simultaneously to the worker and the worker’s attorney by registered or certified mail or by personal service. The request must include the following information:
(a) That the insurer requests suspension of benefits under ORS 656.206 and OAR 436-060-0137;
(b) What specific actions of the worker prompted the request;
(c) The dates of any prior vocational evaluations the worker has attended and the names of the vocational assistance provider or facilities, or a statement that there have been no prior evaluations, whichever is appropriate;
(d) A copy of any approvals given by the director for more than three vocational evaluations, or a statement that no approval was necessary, whichever is appropriate;
(e) Any reasons given by the worker for failing to attend, whether or not the insurer considers the reasons invalid, or a statement that the worker has not given any reasons, whichever is appropriate;
(f) The date and with whom failure to comply was verified. Any written verification of the worker’s refusal to attend the vocational evaluation received by the insurer from the worker or the worker’s representative will be sufficient documentation with which to request suspension;
(g) A copy of the letter required in section (7) and a copy of any written verification received under subsection (10)(f);
(h) Any other information which supports the request; and
(i) The following notice in prominent or bold face type:
“Notice to worker: If you think this request to suspend your compensation is wrong, you should immediately write to the Workers’ Compensation Division, 350 Winter Street NE, PO Box 14480, Salem, Oregon 97309-0405. Your letter must be mailed within 10 days of the mailing date of this request. If the division grants this request, you may lose all or part of your benefits.”
(11) If the insurer fails to comply with this rule, the division may deny the request for suspension.
(12) If the division suspends compensation, the suspension will be effective from the date the worker fails to attend a vocational evaluation or such other date the division deems appropriate until the date the worker attends the evaluation. The worker is not entitled to compensation during or for the period of suspension. Any delay in requesting suspension may result in suspension being denied or the date of suspension being modified.
(13) The insurer must assist the worker to meet requirements necessary for the resumption of compensation payments. When the worker has attended the vocational evaluation, the insurer must verify the worker’s participation and resume compensation effective the date of the worker’s compliance.
(14) The division may also:
(a) Modify or set aside the suspension order before or after filing of a request for hearing;
(b) Order payment of compensation previously suspended where the division finds the suspension to have been made in error; or
(c) Reevaluate the necessity of continuing a suspension.
(15) A suspension order becomes final unless, within 60 days after the date of mailing of the order, a party files a request for hearing on the order with the Hearings Division of the Workers’ Compensation Board.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.726

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.206

Hist.: WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0140
Acceptance or Denial of a Claim
(1) The insurer is required to conduct a “reasonable” investigation based on all available information in ascertaining whether to deny a claim. A reasonable investigation is whatever steps a reasonably prudent person with knowledge of the legal standards for determining compensability would take in a good faith effort to ascertain the facts underlying a claim, giving due consideration to the cost of the investigation and the likely value of the claim.
(2) In determining whether an investigation is reasonable, the director will only look at information contained in the insurer’s claim record at the time of denial. The insurer may not rely on any fact not documented in the claim record at the time of denial to establish that an investigation was reasonable.
(3) The insurer must give the claimant written notice of acceptance or denial of a claim within:
(a) 90 days after the employer’s notice or knowledge of an initial claim or the insurer’s receipt of a form 827 signed by the worker or the worker’s representative and the worker’s attending physician indicating an aggravation claim or written notice of a new medical condition claim for claims with a date of injury prior to January 1, 2002; or
(b) 60 days after the employer’s notice or knowledge of an initial claim or the insurer’s receipt of a form 827 signed by the worker or the worker’s representative and the worker’s attending physician indicating an aggravation claim or written notice of a new medical or omitted condition claim for claims with a date of injury on or after January 1, 2002; or
(c) 90 days after the employer’s notice or knowledge of the claim if the worker challenges the location of an independent medical examination under OAR 436-010-0265 and the challenge is upheld, regardless of the date of injury.
(4) The director may assess a penalty against any insurer delinquent in accepting or denying a claim beyond the days required in (3) in excess of 10 percent of their total volume of reported disabling claims during any quarter.
(5) A notice of acceptance must comply with ORS 656.262(6)(b) and the rules of Practice and Procedure for Contested Cases under the Workers’ Compensation Law, OAR chapter 438. It must include a current mailing date, be addressed to the worker, be copied to the worker’s representative, if any, and the worker’s attending physician, and describe to the worker:
(a) What conditions are compensable;
(b) Whether the claim is disabling or nondisabling;
(c) The Expedited Claim Service, of hearing and aggravation rights concerning nondisabling injuries including the right to object to a decision that the injury is nondisabling by requesting the insurer review the status;
(d) The employment reinstatement rights and responsibilities under ORS chapter 659A;
(e) Assistance available to employers from the Reemployment Assistance Program under ORS 656.622;
(f) That claim related expenses paid by the worker must be reimbursed by the insurer when requested in writing and accompanied by sales slips, receipts, or other reasonable written support, for meals, lodging, transportation, prescriptions and other related expenses. The worker must be advised of the two year time limitation to request reimbursement as provided in OAR 436-009-0025(1) and that reimbursement of expenses may be subject to a maximum established rate;
(g) That if the worker believes a condition has been incorrectly omitted from the notice of acceptance, or the notice is otherwise deficient, the worker must first communicate the objection to the insurer in writing specifying either that the worker believes the condition has been incorrectly omitted or why the worker feels the notice is otherwise deficient; and
(h) That if the worker wants the insurer to accept a claim for a new medical condition, the worker must put the request in writing, clearly identify the condition as a new medical condition, and request formal written acceptance of the condition.
(6) On fatal claims, the notice must be addressed “to the estate of” the worker and the requirements in (5)(a) through (h) shall not be included.
(7) The first acceptance issued on the claim must contain the title “Initial Notice of Acceptance” near the top of the notice. Any notice of acceptance must contain all accepted conditions at the time of the notice. When an insurer closes a claim, it must issue an “Updated Notice of Acceptance at Closure” under OAR 436-030-0015. Additionally, when reopening a claim, the notice of acceptance must specify the condition(s) for which the claim is being reopened. Under ORS 656.262(6)(b)(F) the insurer must modify acceptance from time to time as medical or other information changes. An insurer must issue a “Modified Notice of Acceptance” (MNOA) when they:
(a) Accept a new or omitted condition: on a nondisabling claim, while a disabling claim is open or after claim closure;
(b) Accept an aggravation claim;
(c) Change the disabling status of the claim; or
(d) Amend a notice of acceptance, including correcting a clerical error.
(8) Notwithstanding OAR 436-060-0140(7)(d), to correct an omission or error in an “Updated Notice of Acceptance at Closure”(UNOA), under OAR 436-030-0015(1)(c)(D), the insurer must add the word “Corrected” to the UNOA.
(9) When an insurer accepts a new or omitted condition on a closed claim, the insurer must reopen the claim and process it to closure under ORS 656.262 and 656.267.
(10) A notice of denial must comply with the rules of Practice and Procedure for Contested Cases under the Workers’ Compensation Law, OAR chapter 438, and must:
(a) Specify the factual and legal reasons for the denial, including the worker’s right to request a Worker Requested Medical Examination and a specific statement indicating if the denial was based in whole or part on an independent medical examination, under ORS 656.325, and one of the following statements, as appropriate:
(A) “Your attending physician agreed with the independent medical examination report”; or
(B) “Your attending physician did not agree with the independent medical examination report”; or
(C) “Your attending physician has not commented on the independent medical examination report”; and
(b) Inform the worker of the Expedited Claim Service and of the worker’s right to a hearing under ORS 656.283.
(c) If the denial is under ORS 656.262(15), it must inform the worker that a hearing may occur sooner if the worker requests an expedited hearing under ORS 656.291.
(d) If paragraph (10)(a)(B) above applies, the denial notice must also include the division’s Web site address and toll free Infoline number for the worker’s use in obtaining a brochure about the Worker Requested Medical Examination.
(11) The insurer must send notice of the denial to each provider of medical services and health insurance when compensability of any portion of a claim for medical services is denied when any of the following applies:
(a) The denial is sent to the worker;
(b) Within 14 days of receipt of any billings from medical providers not previously notified of the denial. The notice must advise the medical provider of the status of the denial; or
(c) Within 60 days of the date when compensability of the claim has been finally determined or when disposition of the claim has been made. The notification must include the results of the proceedings under ORS 656.236 or 656.289(4) and the amount of any settlement.
(12) The insurer must pay compensation due under ORS 656.262 and 656.273 until the claim is denied, except where there is an issue concerning the timely filing of a notice of accident as provided in ORS 656.265(4). The employer may elect to pay compensation under this section in lieu of the insurer doing so. The insurer must report to the division payments of compensation made by the employer as if the insurer had made the payment.
(13) Compensation payable to a worker or the worker’s beneficiaries while a claim is pending acceptance or denial does not include the costs of medical benefits or burial.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.262, 656.325, 656.704, 656.726(4), OL 2009, ch. 526

Hist.: WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0305, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 12-1992, f. 6-12-92, cert. ef. 7-1-92; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 17-1996(Temp), f. 8-5-96, cert. ef. 8-12-96; WCD 21-1996, f. 10-18-96, cert. ef. 11-27-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 13-2003(Temp), f. 12-15-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04 thru 2-28-04; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 10-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0147
Worker Requested Medical Examination
(1) The director shall determine the worker’s eligibility for a Worker Requested Medical Examination (Exam) under ORS 656.325(1). The worker is eligible for an exam if the worker has made a timely request for a Workers’ Compensation Board hearing on a denial of compensability as required by ORS 656.319(1)(a); and the denial was based on one or more Independent Medical Examination reports with which the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner disagreed.
(2) The worker must submit a request for the exam to the director. A copy of the request must be sent simultaneously to the insurer or self-insured employer. The request must include:
(a) The name, address, and claim identifying information of the injured worker;
(b) A list of physicians, including name(s) and address(es), who have previously provided medical services to the worker on this claim or who have previously provided medical services to the worker related to the claimed condition(s);
(c) The date the worker requested a hearing and a copy of the hearing request;
(d) A copy of the insurer’s denial letter; and
(e) Document(s) that demonstrate that the attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner did not concur with the independent medical examination report(s).
(3) The insurer must, upon written notice from the worker, mail to the director no later than the 14th day following the insurer’s receipt of the worker’s request, the names and addresses of all physicians or nurse practitioners who have:
(a) Acted as attending physician or authorized nurse practitioner;
(b) Provided medical consultations or treatment to the worker;
(c) Examined the worker at an independent medical examination; or
(d) Reviewed the worker’s medical records on this claim. For the purpose of this rule, “Attending Physician” and “Independent Medical Examination” have the meanings defined in OAR 436-010-0005 and 436-010-0265(1), respectively.
(4) Failure to provide the required documentation described in section (3) in a timely manner will subject the insurer to civil penalties under OAR 436-060-0200.
(5) The director will notify all parties in writing of the physician selected, or will provide the worker or the worker’s representative a list of appropriate physicians.
(6) If the director provides a list of physicians, the following applies:
(a) The worker’s or the worker’s representative’s response must be in writing, signed, and received by the director within ten business days of providing the list.
(b) The worker or the worker’s representative may eliminate the name of one physician from the list.
(c) If the worker or the worker’s representative does not respond as provided in this section, the director will select a physician.
(d) The director will notify the parties in writing of the physician selected.
(7) The worker or the worker’s legal representative shall schedule the exam with the selected physician and notify the insurer and the Workers’ Compensation Board of the scheduled exam date within 14 days of the notification date in (6) of this rule. An unrepresented worker may consult with the Injured Worker Ombudsman for assistance.
(8) The insurer must send the physician the worker’s complete medical and diagnostic record on this claim and the original questions asked of the independent medical examination(s) physician(s) no later than 14 days prior to the date of the scheduled exam. If the diagnostic records are not in the insurer’s possession, the insurer must request that the medical provider send the diagnostic records to the selected physician at least 14 days prior to the scheduled exam.
(9) The worker or the worker’s representative shall communicate questions related to the compensability denial in writing to be answered by the physician at the exam to the physician at least 14 days prior to the scheduled date of the exam. An unrepresented worker may consult with the Injured Worker Ombudsman for assistance.
(10) Upon completion of the exam the physician must address the original independent medical examination(s) questions and the questions from the worker or the worker’s representative under section (9) of this rule and send the report to the worker’s legal representative, if any, or the worker, and the insurer within 5 working days.
(11) The insurer must pay the physician selected under this rule in accordance with OAR 436-009. Delivery of medical services to injured workers shall be in accordance with OAR 436-010.
(12) If the worker fails to attend the scheduled Worker Requested Medical Exam, the insurer must pay the physician for the missed examination. The insurer is not required to pay for another examination unless the worker did not attend the missed examination for reasons beyond the worker’s reasonable control.
(13) The insurer must reimburse the worker for all necessary related services under ORS 656.325(1).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704, 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented:ORS 656.325(1), 656.704, 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 10-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0150
Timely Payment of Compensation
(1) Benefits are deemed paid when addressed
to the last known address of the worker or beneficiary and deposited in the U.S.
Mail or when funds are transferred to a financial institution for deposit in the
worker’s or beneficiary’s account by approved electronic equivalent.
Payments due on a weekend or legal holiday under ORS 187.010 and 187.020 may be
paid on the last working day before or the first working day after the weekend or
legal holiday. Subsequent payments may revert back to the payment schedule before
the weekend or legal holiday.
(2) For the purpose of this
rule, legal holidays in the State of Oregon are:
(a) Each Sunday;
(b) New Year’s Day
on January 1;
(c) Martin Luther King, Jr.’s
Birthday on the third Monday in January;
(d) Presidents Day, for the
purpose of commemorating Presidents Washington and Lincoln, on the third Monday
in February;
(e) Memorial Day on the last
Monday in May;
(f) Independence Day on July
4;
(g) Labor Day on the first
Monday in September;
(h) Veterans Day on November
11;
(i) Thanksgiving Day on the
fourth Thursday in November; and
(j) Christmas Day on December
25.
(k) Each time a holiday,
other than Sunday, falls on Sunday, the succeeding Monday is a legal holiday. Each
time a holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday is a legal holiday.
(l) Additional legal holidays
include every day appointed by the Governor as a legal holiday and every day appointed
by the President of the United States as a day of mourning, rejoicing or other special
observance only when the Governor also appoints that day as a holiday.
(3) First payment of time
loss must be timely. An insurer’s performance is in compliance when 90 percent
of payments are timely. The director may assess a penalty against an insurer falling
below these norms during any quarter.
(4) Compensation withheld
under ORS 656.268(13) and (14), and 656.596(2), will not be deemed untimely if the
insurer notifies the worker in writing why benefits are being withheld and the amount
that must be offset before any further benefits are payable.
(5) Timely payment of temporary
disability benefits means the insurer has made payment no later than the 14th day
after:
(a) The date of the employer’s
notice or knowledge of the claim and of the worker’s disability, if the attending
physician or authorized nurse practitioner has authorized temporary disability.
Temporary disability accrued before the date of the employer’s notice or knowledge
of the claim will be due within 14 days of claim acceptance;
(b) The date the attending
physician or authorized nurse practitioner authorizes temporary disability, if the
authorization is more than 14 days after the date of the employer’s notice
or knowledge of the claim and of the worker’s disability;
(c) The start of authorized
vocational training under ORS 656.268(10), if the insurer has previously closed
the claim;
(d) The date the insurer
receives medical evidence supported by objective findings that shows the worker
is unable to work due to a worsening of the compensable condition under ORS 656.273;
(e) The date of any division
order, including, but not limited to, a reconsideration order, that orders payment
of temporary disability. If the insurer has appealed a reconsideration order, the
appeal stays payment of temporary disability benefits except those that accrue from
the date of the order, under ORS 656.313;
(f) The date of a notice
of claim closure issued by the insurer that finds the worker entitled to temporary
disability;
(g) The date a notice of
closure is set aside by a reconsideration order;
(h) The date any litigation
authorizing retroactive temporary disability becomes final. Temporary disability
accruing from the date of the order must begin no later than the 14th day after
the date the order is filed. For the purpose of this rule, the “date the order
is filed” for litigation from the Workers’ Compensation Board is the
signature date, and from the courts, it is the date of the appellate judgment;
(i) The date the division
refers a claim to the insurer for processing under ORS 656.029;
(j) The date the division
refers a noncomplying employer claim to an assigned claims agent under ORS 656.054;
or
(k) The date a claim disposition
is disapproved by the Board or Administrative Law Judge, if temporary disability
benefits are otherwise due;
(l) The date the division
designates a paying agent under ORS 656.307;
(m) The date a claim is reclassified
from nondisabling to disabling, if temporary disability is due and payable; and
(n) The date an insurer voluntarily
rescinds a denial of a disabling claim.
(6) Temporary disability
must be paid to within seven days of the date of payment at least once each 14 days.
When making payments under OAR 436-060-0020(1), the employer may make subsequent
payments of temporary disability concurrently with the payroll schedule of the employer,
rather than at 14-day intervals.
(7) Permanent disability
must be paid no later than the 30th day after:
(a) The date of a notice
of claim closure issued by the insurer;
(b) The date of any litigation
order that orders payment of permanent total disability. Permanent total benefits
accruing from the date of the order must begin no later than the 30th day after
the date the order is filed. For the purpose of this rule, the “date the order
is filed” for litigation from the Workers’ Compensation Board is the
mailing date, and from the courts, it is the date of the appellate judgment;
(c) The date of any division
order, including, but not limited to, a reconsideration order, that orders payment
of compensation for permanent disability;
(d) The date any litigation
authorizing permanent partial disability becomes final;
(e) The date a claim disposition
is disapproved by the Board or Administrative Law Judge, if permanent disability
benefits are otherwise due; or
(f) The date authorized training
ends if the worker is medically stationary and any previous award remains unpaid,
under ORS 656.268(10) and OAR 436-060-0040(2).
(8) Fatal benefits must be
paid no later than the 30th day after:
(a) The date of a notice
of acceptance issued by the insurer; or
(b) The date of any litigation
order which orders fatal benefits. Fatal benefits accruing from the date of the
order must begin no later than the 30th day after the date the order is filed. For
the purpose of this rule, the “date the order is filed” for litigation
from the Workers’ Compensation Board is the mailing date, and from the courts,
it is the date of the appellate judgment.
(9) The insurer must make
subsequent payments of permanent disability and fatal benefits in monthly sequence.
The insurer may adjust monthly payment dates, but must inform the beneficiary before
making the adjustment. No payment period may exceed one month without the division’s
prior approval.
(10)(a) When paying temporary
disability benefits the insurer must notify the worker or beneficiary in writing
of the specific purpose of the payment and the time period that the payment covers.
(b) When issuing the initial
payment of permanent disability or fatal benefits the insurer must notify the worker
or beneficiary in writing of the specific purpose of the payment, the schedule of
future payments, and the time period each payment will cover. The insurer is not
required to provide an explanation in writing with each subsequent permanent disability
or fatal benefit payment.
(c) The insurer must provide
an explanation in writing to the worker or beneficiary when the benefit amount,
time period covered, or payment schedule changes.
(11) The insurer must maintain
records of compensation paid for each claim where benefits are due and payable.
(12) If the worker submits
a request for reimbursement of multiple items and full reimbursement is not made,
the insurer must provide specific reasons for non-payment or reduction of each item.
(13) Payment of a Claim Disposition
Agreement must be made no later than the 14th day after the Board or Administrative
Law Judge mails notice of its approval of the agreement to the parties, unless otherwise
stated in the agreement.
(14) Under ORS 656.126(6),
when Oregon compensation is more than the compensation under another law for the
same injury or occupational disease, or compensation paid the worker under another
law is recovered from the worker for the same injury or occupational disease, the
insurer must pay any unpaid compensation to the worker up to the amount required
by the claim under Oregon law within 14 days of receipt of written documentation
supporting the underpayment of Oregon compensation.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.262(4),
656.268(10), 656.273, 656.278, 656.289, 656.307, 656.313, 656.704, 656.726(4)
Hist.: WCB 9-1966, f. &
ef. 11-14-66; WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81,
ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0310,
5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef.
1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90,
cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 1-1992, f. 1-3-92,
cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96,
cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02
cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 13-2003(Temp), f. 12-15-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04 thru 2-28-04;
WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05;
WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 10-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08;
WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10;
WCD 7-2015, f. 10-12-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0153
Electronic Payment of Compensation
(1) An insurer may pay benefits through
a direct deposit system, automated teller machine card or debit card, or other means
of electronic transfer if the worker voluntarily consents. The worker’s consent
must be obtained prior to initiating electronic payments and may be written or verbal.
The insurer must provide the worker a written confirmation when consent is obtained
verbally. The worker may discontinue receiving electronic payments by notifying
the insurer in writing.
(2) The worker must receive
a copy of the cardholder agreement outlining the terms and conditions under which
an automated teller machine card or debit card has been issued prior to or at the
time the initial electronic payment is made.
(3) The instrument of payment
must be negotiable and payable to the worker for the full amount of the benefit
paid, without cost to the worker. The worker must be able to make an initial withdrawal
of the entire amount of the benefit paid without delay or cost to the worker.
Stat. Auth: ORS 656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.262(4),
84.013
Hist.: WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08,
cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0155
Penalty to Worker for Untimely Processing
(1) Under ORS 656.262(11), the director
may require the insurer to pay an additional amount to the worker as a penalty and
an attorney fee to the worker’s attorney when the insurer unreasonably delays
or unreasonably refuses to pay compensation, attorney fees or costs, or unreasonably
delays acceptance or denial of a claim.
(2) Requests for penalties
and attorney fees under this section must be in writing, stating what benefits,
attorney fees or costs have been delayed or remain unpaid, and mailed or delivered
to the division within 180 days of the alleged violation. Attorney fees will be
awarded under OAR 436-001-0400 to 436-001-0440.
(3) For the purpose of this
section, “violation” is either:
(a) A late payment or the
nonpayment of any single payment due, in which case a request for penalty must be
mailed or delivered to the director within 180 days of the date payment was due;
or
(b) A continuous nonpayment
or underpayment such as with yearly cost of living increases for temporary disability
compensation. In these instances, a request for penalty must be mailed or delivered
to the director within 180 days of the date of the last underpayment. All prior
underpayments will be considered as one violation, regardless of when the first
underpayment occurred.
(4) When notified by the
director that additional amounts may be due the worker as a penalty under this rule,
the insurer must respond in writing to the division. The response must be mailed
or delivered to the division within 21 days of the mailing date of the division’s
inquiry letter, with copies of the response, including any attachments, sent simultaneously
to the worker and the worker’s attorney (if represented). If an insurer fails
to respond or provides an inadequate response (e.g. failing to answer specific questions
or provide requested documents), the director may assess a civil penalty under OAR
436-060-0200. In addition, the director may assess a $50.00 civil penalty under
OAR 436-060-0200 if the insurer does not provide copies of the response to the worker
or attorney timely.
(5) When no written reason
for delay is provided by the insurer as required in section (4) and no reason for
the delay is evident from the worker’s or division’s records, the director
will consider the delay unreasonable, unless the worker has provided insufficient
information to assess a penalty. In such cases, the director may assess a civil
penalty under OAR 436-060-0200.
(6) The director will only
consider a penalty issue where the assessment and payment of additional amounts
described in ORS 656.262(11) is the sole issue of any proceeding between the parties.
If a proceeding on any other issue is initiated before the Hearings Division of
the Workers’ Compensation Board between the same parties before the director
issues an order under this section, and the director is made aware of the proceeding,
jurisdiction over the penalty proceeding before the director will immediately rest
with the Hearings Division and the director will refer the proceedings to the Hearings
Division. If the director has not been made aware of the proceeding before the Hearings
Division and issues a penalty order that becomes final, the director’s penalty
will stand.
(7) The director will use
the matrix attached to these rules in Appendix “B” in assessing penalties.
When there are no “amounts then due” upon which to assess a penalty,
no penalty will be issued under this rule.
(8) Penalties ordered under
this rule must be paid to the worker no later than the 30th day after the date of
the order, unless the order is appealed. If the order is appealed and later upheld,
the penalty will be due within 14 days of the date the order upholding the penalty
becomes final. If the insurer does not pay penalties in a timely manner the insurer
will be subject to civil penalties under OAR 436-060-0200.
(9) Disputes regarding unreasonable
delay or unreasonable refusal to pay compensation, attorney fees or costs or unreasonable
delay in acceptance or denial of a claim may be resolved by the parties. In cases
where the parties wish to resolve such disputes and the assessment and payment of
additional amounts under ORS 656.262(11) is the sole issue of a proceeding between
the parties, and the violation(s) occurred within the last 180 days in accordance
with section (3), then the parties must submit a stipulation to the division for
approval. The stipulation must specify:
(a) The benefits, attorney
fees or costs delayed and the amounts;
(b) The time period(s) involved;
(c) If applicable, the name
of the medical provider(s) and the date(s) of service(s) relating to medical bills;
(d) The amount of the penalty
not to exceed 25 percent of the amount of compensation delayed; and
(e) The attorney fees, if
applicable.
(10) Payment of the penalty
is due within 14 days after the date the division approves the stipulation, unless
otherwise stated in the stipulation. If the insurer does not pay penalties in a
timely manner the insurer will be subject to civil penalties under OAR 436-060-0200.
(11) Any other agreements
between the parties to pay a penalty or attorney fee without a stipulation approved
by the division will not be acknowledged as a violation as it applies to the matrix
attached to these rules.
[ED. NOTE: Appendices referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of appendices.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.262(11),
656.704, 656.726(4) & 656.745
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.262(11),
656.704 & 656.726(4)
Hist.: WCD 9-1990(Temp),
f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD
1-1992, f. 1-3-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94;
WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02;
WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05;
WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08, cert. ef. 1-1-09;
WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; WCD 7-2015, f. 10-12-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0160
Use of Sight Draft to Pay Compensation Prohibited
Insurers shall not use a sight draft to pay any benefits due a worker or beneficiary under ORS Chapter 656. Such benefits include temporary disability, permanent disability and reimbursement of costs paid directly by the worker.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCB 18-1975, f. 12-19-75, ef. 1-1-76; WCD 6-1978(Admin), f. & ef. 4-27-78; WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0315, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02
436-060-0170
Recovery of Overpayment of Benefits
(1) Insurers may recover overpayment of benefits paid to a worker as specified by ORS 656.268(14), unless authority is granted by an Administrative Law Judge or the Workers' Compensation Board.
(2) Insurers may recover an overpayment from any benefits currently due on any claim the worker has with that insurer. Insurers must explain in writing the reason, amount and method of recovery to the worker and the worker's attorney or to the worker's survivors.
(3) When overpaid benefits are offset against monthly permanent partial disability award payments, the recovery shall be from the total amount of the award with the remainder of the award being paid out at 4.35 times the temporary total disability rate and no less than $108.75, starting with the first month's payment.
Stat. Auth.:ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.268(12) & (14), 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; WCD 3-1984(Admin), f. & ef. 4-4-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0320, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05
436-060-0180
Designation and Responsibility of a Paying Agent
(1) For the purpose of this rule:
(a) “Compensable injury” means an accidental injury or damage to a prosthetic appliance, or an occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment with any Oregon employer, and which requires medical services or results in disability or death.
(b) “Exposure” means a specific incident or period during which a compensable injury may have occurred.
(c) “Responsibility” means liability under the law for the acceptance and processing of a compensable claim.
(2) The division will designate by order which insurer must pay a claim if the employers and insurers admit that the claim is otherwise compensable, and where there is an issue regarding:
(a) Which subject employer is the true employer of a worker;
(b) Which of more than one insurer of a certain employer is responsible for payment of compensation to a worker;
(c) Which of two or more employers or their insurers is responsible for paying compensation for one or more on-the-job injuries or occupational diseases; or
(d) Which of two or more employers is responsible when there is joint employment.
(3) With the consent of the Workers’ Compensation Board, Own Motion claims are subject to the provisions of this rule.
(4) Upon learning of any of the situations described in section (2), the insurer must expedite the processing of the claim by immediately investigating the claim to determine responsibility and whether the claim is otherwise compensable. For the purposes of this rule, insurers identified in a potential responsibility dispute under ORS 656.307 must, upon request, share claim related medical reports and other information without charge pertinent to the injury in order to expedite claim processing. The act of the worker applying for compensation benefits from any employer identified as a party to a responsibility dispute shall constitute authorization for the involved insurers to share the pertinent information in accordance with the criteria and restrictions provided in OAR 436-060-0017 and 436-010-0240. No insurer who shares information in accordance with this rule shall bear any legal liability for disclosure of such information.
(5) Upon learning of any of the situations described in section (2), the insurer must immediately notify any other affected insurers of the situation. Such notice must identify the compensable injury and include a copy of all medical reports and other information pertinent to the injury. The notice must identify each period of exposure which the insurer believes responsible for the compensable injury by the following:
(a) Name of employer;
(b) Name of insurer;
(c) Specific date of injury or period of exposure; and
(d) Claim number, if assigned.
(6) Upon deciding that the responsibility for an otherwise compensable injury cannot be determined, the insurer must request designation of a paying agent by writing to the division and sending a copy of the request to the worker and the worker’s representative, if any. The request shall not be contained in or attached to any form or report the insurer is required to submit under OAR 436-060-0010 or in the denial letter to the worker required by OAR 436-060-0140. Such a request, or agreement to designation of a paying agent, is not an admission that the injury is compensably related to that insurer’s claim; it is solely an assertion that the injury is compensable against a subject Oregon employer. The insurer’s written request to the division must contain the following information:
(a) Identification of the compensable injury(ies);
(b) That the insurer is requesting designation of a paying agent under ORS 656.307;
(c) That the insurer acknowledges the injury is otherwise compensable;
(d) That responsibility is the only issue;
(e) Identification of the specific claims or exposures involved by
(A) Employer,
(B) Insurer,
(C) Date of injury or specific period of exposure, and
(D) Claim number, if assigned;
(f) Acknowledgment that medical reports and other material pertinent to the injury have been provided to the other parties; and
(g) Confirmation the worker has been advised of the actions being taken on the worker’s claim.
(7) The division will not designate a paying agent where there remains an issue of whether the injury is compensable against a subject Oregon employer, or if the 60 day appeal period of a denial has expired without a request for hearing being received by the Board or the division receiving a request for a designation of paying agent order, or if an insurer included in the question of responsibility opposes designation of a paying agent because it has received no claim.
(8) When notified by the division that there is a reasonable doubt as to the status of the claim or intent of a denial, the insurer must provide written clarification to the division, the worker, insurers involved and other interested parties within 21 days of the mailing date of the notification. If an insurer fails to respond timely or provides an inadequate response (e.g. failing to answer specific questions or provide requested documents), a civil penalty will be assessed under OAR 436-060-0200.
(9) Insurers receiving notice from the division of a worker’s request for designation of a paying agent must immediately process the request in accordance with sections (4) through (6).
(10) Upon receipt of written acknowledgment from the insurers that the only issue is responsibility for an otherwise compensable injury claim, the division will issue an order designating a paying agent under ORS 656.307. The division will designate the insurer with the lowest compensation considering the following factors:
(a) The claim with the lowest temporary total disability rate.
(b) If the temporary total disability rates and the rates per degree of permanent disability are the same, the earliest claim.
(c) If there is no temporary disability or the temporary total disability rates are the same, but the rates per degree of permanent disability are different, the claim with the lowest rate per degree of permanent disability.
(d) If one or more claims have disposed of benefits in accordance with ORS 656.236(1), the claim providing the lowest compensation not released by the claim disposition agreement.
(e) If one claim is under “Own Motion” jurisdiction, the Own Motion claim, even if not the claim with the lowest temporary total disability rate.
(f) If more than one claim is under “Own Motion” jurisdiction, the Own Motion claim with the lowest temporary total disability rate.
(11) By copy of its order, the division will refer the matter to the Workers’ Compensation Board to set a proceeding under ORS 656.307 to determine which insurer is responsible for paying benefits to the worker.
(12) The designated paying agent must process the claim as an accepted claim through claim closure under OAR 436-030-0015(9) unless relieved of the responsibility by an order of the Administrative Law Judge or resolution through mediation or arbitration under ORS 656.307(6). The parties to an order under this section shall not settle any part of a claim under ORS 656.236 or 656.289, except to resolve the issue of responsibility, unless prior approval and agreement is obtained from all potential responsible insurers. Resolution of a dispute by mediation or arbitration by a private party cannot obligate the Consumer and Business Services Fund without the director’s prior approval. The Consumer and Business Services Fund shall not be obligated when one party declines to participate in a legitimate settlement conference under an ORS 656.307 order. Compensation paid under the order must include all benefits, including medical services, provided for a compensable injury to a subject worker or the worker’s beneficiaries. The payment of temporary disability due must be for periods subsequent to periods of disability already paid by any insurer.
(13) After a paying agent is designated, if any of the insurers determine compensability is or will be an issue at hearing, they must notify the division. Any insurer must notify the division and all parties to the order of any change in claim acceptance status after the designation of a paying agent. When the division receives notification of a change in the acceptance of a claim or notification that compensability is an issue after designation of a paying agent, the division shall order termination of any further benefits due from the original order designating a paying agent.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.307, 656.704, 656.726(4) & 656.745

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.307, 656.308, 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCD 1-1980(Admin), f & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 5-1980(Admin)(Temp), f & ef. 4-29-80; WCD 7-1980(Admin), f. 9-5-80, ef. 10-1-80; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0332, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 9-1990(Temp), f. 6-18-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 1-1992, f. 1-3-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0190
Monetary Adjustments Among Parties and Department of Consumer and Business Services
(1) An order of the director under ORS 656.307 and OAR 436-060-0180 applies only to the period prior to the order of the Administrative Law Judge determining the responsible paying party. Payment of compensation made thereafter shall not be recovered from the Consumer and Business Services Fund, unless the director concludes payment was made before the Administrative Law Judge's order was received by the paying agent designated under OAR 436-060-0180. Any monetary adjustment necessary after the Administrative Law Judge's order shall be handled under OAR 436-060-0195.
(2) When all litigation on the issue of responsibility is final, the insurer ultimately held to be responsible must, prior to paying any compensation, contact any nonresponsible insurer to learn what compensation has already been paid. When contacted by the responsible insurer, the nonresponsible insurer must provide the requested information necessary for the responsible insurer to make a timely payment to the worker, medical providers or others, but in any case no later than 20 days after the date of the notification. Failure to respond to the responsible insurer's inquiry in a timely manner may result in non-reimbursement otherwise due from the responsible insurer or from the Consumer and Business Services Fund.
(3) The responsible insurer must reimburse any nonresponsible insurers for compensation the nonresponsible insurer paid which the responsible insurer is responsible for, but has not already paid within 30 days of receiving sufficient information to adequately determine the benefits paid and the relationship to the condition(s) involved. Any balance remaining due the worker, medical providers or others must be paid in a timely manner under OAR 436-009 and 436-060-0150. Payment of compensation which results in duplicate payment to the worker, medical providers or others as a result of failing to contact the nonresponsible insurer shall not release the responsible insurer from the requirement to reimburse any nonresponsible insurers for its costs.
(4) The division shall direct any necessary monetary adjustment between the parties involved which is not otherwise ordered by the Administrative Law Judge or voluntarily resolved by the parties, but shall not order an insurer to pay compensation over and beyond that required by law, as it relates to the insurer's claim, except in the situation described in section (3). Failure to make monetary adjustments within 30 days of an order by the division will subject the insurer to civil penalties under OAR 436-060-0200. Only compensation paid as a result of an order by the director under OAR 436-060-0180 and consistent with this rule shall be recoverable from the Consumer and Business Services Fund when such compensation is not reimbursed to the nonresponsible insurer by the responsible insurer.
(5) When the division determines improper or untimely claim processing by the designated paying agent has resulted in unnecessary costs, the division may deny reimbursement from the responsible insurer and the Consumer and Business Services Fund.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.307(3), 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCB 5-1970, f. 6-3-70, ef. 6-25-70; WCD 1-1980(Admin), f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 5-1980(Admin)(Temp), f. & ef. 4-29-80; WCD 7-1980(Admin), f. 9-5-80, ef. 10-1-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin), f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0334, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin), f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89, cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 29-1990, f. 11-30-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90; WCD 1-1992, f. 1-3-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96, cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
436-060-0195
Miscellaneous Monetary Adjustments Among Insurers
(1) The director may order monetary adjustments between insurers under authority provided by ORS 656.726(4) and 656.202 where a claimant has a right to compensation, but there is a dispute between insurers that does not fall under the director’s authority in ORS 656.307 and OAR 436-060-0190. Any failure to obtain reimbursement from an insurer under this rule shall not be recoverable from the Consumer and Business Services Fund. The purpose of this rule is to ensure the claimant properly receives all compensation due under the workers’ compensation law, but is not unduly compensated for more than the law intended.
(2) When any litigation on issues in question is final, insurers must make any necessary monetary adjustments among themselves consistent with the determination of coverage for compensation paid to the worker, medical providers and others for which they are responsible and payment has not already been made, within 30 days of receiving sufficient information to adequately determine the benefits paid and the relationship to the condition(s) involved. Any balance due after making such adjustments must be paid in a timely manner to the worker, medical providers and others under OAR 436-009 and 436-060-0150.
(3) The division may direct any necessary monetary adjustment between parties, but shall not order an insurer to pay compensation over and beyond that required by law, as it relates to the insurer’s claim, except where an insurer unduly compensates a claimant while having knowledge such compensation has already been paid by another insurer. Notwithstanding, each insurer has its own independent obligation to process its claim and pay interim compensation due until the claim is either accepted or denied. When notified by the division that a dispute over monetary adjustment exists the insurer must provide a written response to questions or issues raised, including supporting documentation, to the division, insurers involved and other interested parties within 21 days of the mailing date of the notification.
(4) Failure to respond to the division’s inquiries or make monetary adjustments within 30 days of an order by the division will subject the insurer to civil penalties under OAR 436-060-0200.
(5) When the division determines improper or untimely claim processing by an insurer resulted in unnecessary costs, the division may deny monetary adjustment between the insurers.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704, 656.726(4) & 656.745

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.704 & 656.726(4)

Hist.: WCD 1-1992, f. 1-3-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02 ; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0200
Assessment of Civil Penalties
(1) The director through the division
and under ORS 656.745 will assess a civil penalty against an employer or insurer
that intentionally or repeatedly induces claimants for compensation to fail to report
accidental injuries, causes employees to collect accidental injury claims as off-the-job
injury claims, persuades claimants to accept less than the compensation due or makes
it necessary for claimants to resort to proceedings against the employer to secure
compensation due.
(2) A penalty under section
(1) will only be assessed after all litigation on the matter has become final by
operation of the law. For the purpose of section (1):
(a) “Intentionally”
means the employer or insurer acted with a conscious objective to cause any result
described in ORS 656.745(1) or to engage in the conduct described in that section;
and
(b) “Repeatedly”
means more than once in any twelve month period.
(3) Under ORS 656.745, the
director may assess a civil penalty against an employer or insurer that does not
comply with rules and orders of the director regarding reports or other requirements
necessary to carry out the purposes of the Workers’ Compensation Law. Except
as provided in ORS 656.780, the director may assess a civil penalty against a service
company only for claims processing violations identified in the director’s
annual audits of claims processing performance. The director may assess only one
penalty for each separate violation by an employer, insurer, or service company
identified in an annual audit.
(4) The director may assess
a civil penalty up to $2,000 to an employer or insurer that does not meet the time
frame requirements in OAR 436-060-0010, 436-060-0017, 436-060-0018, 436-060-0030,
436-060-0060, 436-060-0147, 436-060-0155 and 436-060-0180. The director may assess
a civil penalty up to $2,000 to a service company failing to meet the time frame
requirements, only for violations identified in the director’s annual audits
of claims processing performance. The director may assess only one penalty for each
separate violation by an employer, insurer, or service company identified in an
annual audit.
(5) An insurer that willfully
violates OAR 436-060-0160 will be assessed a civil penalty of up to $2,000.
(6) An insurer that does
not accurately report timeliness of first payment information to the division may
be assessed a civil penalty by the director of $500 for reporting inaccurate information
plus $50 for each violation, or $10,000 in the aggregate for all violations within
any three month period. The director may assess this civil penalty to the service
company processing the insurer’s claims if the violations were identified
in the director’s annual audits of claims processing performance. The director
may assess only one penalty for each separate violation by an insurer or service
company identified in an annual audit. For the purposes of this section, a violation
consists of each situation where a first payment was reported to have been made
timely, but was found upon audit to have actually been late.
(7) Notwithstanding section
(3) of this rule, an employer, insurer, or service company that does not comply
with the claims processing requirements of ORS chapter 656, and rules and orders
of the director may be assessed a civil penalty of up to $2,000 for each violation
or $10,000 in the aggregate for all violations within any three month period.
(8) Any employer or insurer
that misrepresents themselves in any manner to obtain workers’ compensation
claims records from the director, or that uses such records in a manner contrary
to these rules, is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each occurrence. In
addition, the director may suspend or revoke an employer’s or insurer’s
access to workers’ compensation claims records for such time as the director
may determine. Any other person determined to have misrepresented themselves or
who uses records in a manner contrary to these rules will have access to these records
suspended or revoked for such time as the director may determine.
(9) For the purpose of section
(7), statutory claims processing requirements include but are not limited to, ORS
656.202, 656.210, 656.212, 656.228, 656.234, 656.236, 656.245, 656.262, 656.263,
656.264, 656.265, 656.268, 656.273, 656.307, 656.313, 656.325, 656.331, and 656.335.
(10) In arriving at the amount
of penalty, the division may consider, but is not limited to:
(a) The ratio of the volume
of violations to the volume of claims reported, or
(b) The ratio of the volume
of violations to the average volume of violations for all insurers or self-insured
employers, and
(c) Prior performance in
meeting the requirements outlined in this section.
(11) Insurer performance
data is reviewed every quarter based on reports submitted by the insurer during
the previous calendar quarter. Civil penalties will be issued for each of the performance
areas where the percentages fall below the acceptable standards of performance as
set forth in these rules. The standard for reporting claims to the division will
allow insurers to report claims by filing a Form 1502 accompanied by a Form 827
where the Form 801 is not available. Penalties will be issued in accordance with
the matrix set forth in Appendix “C.”
(12) Under ORS 656.262(14),
an injured worker’s attorney that is not willing or available to participate
in an interview at a time reasonably chosen by the insurer within 14 days of the
request for interview may be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 if the
director finds the attorney’s actions unreasonable.
[ED. NOTE: Appendices referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of appendices.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704
& 656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.202,
656.210, 656.212, 656.228, 656.234, 656.236, 656.245, 656.262, 656.263, 656.264,
656.265, 656.268, 656.273, 656.307, 656.313, 656.325, 656.331, 656.335, 656.704,
656.726(4) & 656.745, OL 2009, ch. 526
Hist.: WCD 1-1980(Admin),
f. & ef. 1-11-80; WCD 6-1981(Admin), f. 12-23-81, ef. 1-1-82; WCD 8-1983(Admin),
f. 12-29-83, ef. 1-1-84; Renumbered from 436-054-0981, 5-1-85; WCD 8-1985(Admin),
f. 12-12-85, ef. 1-1-86; WCD 4-1987, f. 12-18-87, ef. 1-1-88; WCD 6-1989, f. 12-22-89,
cert. ef. 1-1-90; WCD 3-1991, f. 4-18-91, cert. ef. 6-1-91; WCD 1-1992, f. 1-3-92,
cert. ef. 2-1-92; WCD 7-1994, f. 8-11-94, cert. ef. 8-28-94; WCD 5-1996, f. 2-6-96,
cert. ef. 2-12-96; WCD 21-1996, f. 10-18-96, cert. ef. 11-27-96; WCD 11-2001, f.
11-30-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 2-2004,
f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04, cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005,
f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; WCD 7-2015,
f. 10-12-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0400
Penalty and Attorney Fee for Untimely Payment of Disputed Claims Settlement
(1) If the insurer fails to pay amounts due on a disputed claims settlement within five business days of receipt of notice from the worker that the payment is late, the worker or worker’s attorney may request penalties and attorney fees.
(2) Requests for penalties and attorney fees under this section must be in writing, state what payments were delayed or remain unpaid, and mailed or delivered to the division within 180 days of the date of notice to the insurer. In order to be awarded an attorney fee the attorney must submit a signed, current retainer agreement.
(3) When notified by the director that a penalty or attorney fees have been requested under this rule, the insurer must respond in writing to the division. The response must be mailed or delivered to the division within 14 days of the date of the division’s inquiry letter, with copies of the response, including any attachments, sent simultaneously to the worker and the worker’s attorney (if represented). If an insurer fails to respond, provides an inadequate response (e.g. fails to answer specific questions or provide requested documents), or fails to timely provide copies of the response to the worker or attorney, civil penalties may be assessed under OAR 436-060-0200.
(4) The penalty and fee will be based on the amounts allocated to the worker and the attorney in the settlement agreement as prescribed in ORS 656.262(12)(b). Penalties will be issued in accordance with the matrix set forth in Appendix “D.”
(5) Penalties and attorney fees ordered under this rule must be paid to the worker and attorney no later than the 30th day after the date of the order, unless the order is appealed. If the order is appealed and later upheld, the penalty and attorney fee will be due within 14 days of the date the order upholding the penalty becomes final. Failure to pay penalties and attorney fees in a timely manner will subject the insurer to civil penalties under OAR 436-060-0200.
[ED. NOTE: Appendices referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of appendices.]
Stat. Auth: ORS 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.262, OL 2009, ch. 526

Hist.: WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10
436-060-0500
Reimbursement of Supplemental Disability for Workers with Multiple Jobs at the Time of Injury
(1) When an insurer elects to pay supplemental
disability due a worker with multiple jobs at the time of injury, the director shall
pay reimbursement of the supplemental amount quarterly, after receipt and approval
of documentation of compensation paid by the insurer or the service company. The
director will reimburse the insurer, in care of a service company, if applicable.
(2) Requests for reimbursement
must be submitted on Form 3504, “Supplemental Disability Benefits Quarterly
Reimbursement Request,” and must include at least:
(a) Identification and address
of the insurer responsible for processing the claim;
(b) The worker's name, WCD
file number, date of injury, social security number, and the insurer claim number;
(c) Whether the claim is
disabling or nondisabling;
(d) The primary and secondary
employer’s legal names;
(e) The primary and secondary
employer’s WCD registration numbers;
(f) The weekly wage of all
jobs at the time of the injury separated by employer;
(g) The dates for the period(s)
of supplemental disability due and payable to the worker. Dates must be inclusive
(e.g., 1-16-02 through 1-26-02);
(h) The amount of supplemental
disability paid for the periods in (2)(g);
(i) The quarter and year
in which the payment was made;
(j) A signed payment certification
statement verifying the payments; and
(k) Any other information
the director requires.
(3) In addition to the supplemental
disability reimbursement, the division shall calculate and the insurer shall be
paid an administrative fee based on the annual claim processing administrative cost
factor, as published in Bulletin 316.
(4) Periodically the division
will audit the physical file of the insurer responsible for processing the claim
to validate the amount reimbursed. Reimbursement will be disallowed and repayment
will be required if, upon such audit, it is found:
(a) Payments exceeded statutory
amounts due, excluding reasonable overpayments, as determined by the division;
(b) Compensation has been
paid as a result of untimely or inaccurate claims processing; or
(c) Payments of compensation
have not been documented, as required by OAR 436-050.
(5) Supplemental disability
benefits due subject workers of an employer who is in a noncomplying status as defined
in ORS 656.052 are not eligible for separate reimbursement under this rule, but
remain a cost recoverable from the employer as provided by ORS 656.054(2).
(6) Claim Dispositions or
Stipulated Settlements, under ORS 656.236 or 656.289 which include amounts for supplemental
disability benefits due to multiple jobs, are not eligible to receive reimbursement
from the Workers’ Benefit Fund unless made with the prior written approval
of the director.
(a) Requests for written
approval of proposed dispositions must include:
(A) A copy of the proposed
disposition or settlement that specifies the amount of the proposed contribution
to be made from the Workers’ Benefit Fund;
(B) A statement from the
insurer indicating how the amount of the contribution was calculated; and
(C) Any other information
required by the director.
(b) The director will not
approve the disposition for reimbursement if the proposed contribution exceeds a
reasonable projection of that claim’s future liability to the Workers’
Benefit Fund.
[Publications: Publications referenced
are available from the agency.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.704,
656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.210,
656.704, 656.726(4)
Hist.: WCD 11-2001, f. 11-30-01,
cert. ef. 1-1-02; WCD 10-2002, f. 10-2-02 cert. ef. 11-1-02; WCD 9-2003(Temp), f.
8-29-03, cert. ef. 9-2-03 thru 2-28-04; WCD 11-2003(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-22-03
thru 2-28-03; WCD 2-2004, f. 2-19-04 cert. ef. 2-29-04; WCD 9-2004, f. 10-26-04,
cert. ef. 1-1-05; WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 5-2008, f. 12-15-08,
cert. ef. 1-1-09; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; WCD 7-2015, f. 10-12-15,
cert. ef. 1-1-16
436-060-0510
Reimbursement of Permanent Total Disability Benefits from the Workers' Benefit Fund
(1) The insurer may request reimbursement of permanent total disability benefits paid after the date of the notice of closure under ORS 656.206(6)(a).
(2) Requests for reimbursement must be filed within one year of the mailing date of the final order upholding the notice of closure and include:
(a) Sufficient information to identify the insurer and the injured worker;
(b) The net dollar amount of permanent total disability benefits paid (“Net dollar amount” means the total compensation paid less any recoveries, including, but not limited to, third party recovery or amounts reimbursable from the Retroactive Program or Reopened Claims Program.); and
(c) A statement certifying that payment has been made.
(3) If any of the monies are due under the Retroactive Program or Reopened Claims Program, any reimbursement request must be submitted under OAR 436-075 or 436-045, respectively.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 656.726

Stats. Implemented: ORS 656.206, 656.605

Hist.: WCD 8-2005, f. 12-6-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10


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