New medical fee schedule adopted for workers' comp

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  • New medical fee schedule
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OKLAHOMA CITY – The state Legislature has approved a proposed new workers’ compensation medical fee schedule submitted by the Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) which will go into effect July 1.

The Medical Fee Schedule, proposed in House Joint Resolution 1028, sets the maximum allowable rates of reimbursement for hospitals and medical services treating workers’ compensation injuries.

“This is the first update of the state’s fee schedule since 2012, and the first of what should become a regular, bi-annual update,” said Commissioner Jordan Russell, who shepherded the schedule through the update process.

The 2020 Medical Fee Schedule is available on the WCC’s website 2020 Medical Fee Schedule. Questions about the new fee schedule can be emailed to fee schedule @wcc.ok.gov.

“In 2019 the Legislature enabled us to contract with an objective, outside entity to review the maximum fees medical professionals can charge in work injury cases and to update the codes assigned to each medical procedure,” said Commissioner Mark Liotta, chairman of the WCC. Since September 2019, the WCC worked with consulting firm FAIR Health to review and update the fee schedule. To ensure an impartial review, FAIR Health “developed a data-driven approach through regional and nationwide comparisons of Oklahoma’s existing rates. They compared market information from a variety of sources, including public and private payers,” Liotta said.

“The WCC provided two 30-day public comment periods to gather information from community stakeholders and to ensure we heard from all affected parties,” said Commissioner Megan Tilly. The first public comment period was held to assess the previous fee schedule and to identify areas which needed improvement. The second public comment period was held to receive input regarding the proposed fee schedule before its adoption by the three commissioners of the WCC and submission to the Legislature.

Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system was overhauled in 2013 through the Administrative Workers’ Compensation Act (Act). The WCC became fully operational for work injury cases on or after Feb. 1, 2014. The WCC provides a forum for work injury hearings and appeals, ensures compliance with relevant statutes by employers, and regulates organizations who wish to self-fund their workers’ compensation obligations.