New York: Web tool aids compliance with diagnostic testing regs

Physicians and injured workers wondering whether they need to use a diagnostic testing network may now turn to their computers. The Workers' Compensation Board announced the new web tool after last year's adoption of DTN regulations.

The new rules govern the mandatory use of network radiologists and other specialists for MRIs and other diagnostic tests. The new web look-up tool was announced in December.

"Board representatives conducted extensive outreach to understand the network relationships and what information would be most useful to medical providers and injured workers," according to a statement. "Board IT staff then developed the look-up function, which is now available to anyone through the board's website."

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Claim administrators that require injured workers to use their DTNs must provide the board with information about their mandatory DTNs. The information will be posted on the board's website and used with the look-up tool. First, administrators must register for access to a self-service application where they can select their DTN from a list of DTNs registered with the board.

"Claim administrators must report any changes to their list of DTNs, such as new or removed DTN contracts, to the board via the self-service application within 20 days of the effective date of the change," the board said. "The DTNs must also provide current contact information (email, telephone, and website) to the board to ensure the accuracy of the DTN look-up application and compliance with the DTN regulations."

"DTNs must report any changes to their contact information within 20 days of the effective date of the change. Failure of a claim administrator or DTN to timely supply accurate information and keep this information up-to-date may interfere with the claim administrator's ability to require an injured worker to use a DTN."

The look-up tool is not replacing the claim administrator's responsibility to notify injured workers and physicians of the existence of a DTN, the board noted.

"Injured workers, medical providers and staff may search by claim administrator to determine if it has contracted with a DTN. Some claim administrators may list more than one DTN," the board said.

Generally, the injured worker can go to any of the listed DTNs associated with the claim administrator unless it includes special instructions in the look-up tool about which DTN to use. If the claim administrator does not appear in the look-up tool, it has not registered its mandatory use of a DTN with the board. In that case, injured workers may obtain diagnostic tests from a provider of their choice.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

January 18, 2013

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