The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) is accepting public comment, and has scheduled public hearings, on several rules proposals.  Comment deadline is Monday August 16, 2010.

Dr. Donald Patrick will join the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation as the Medical Advisor effective July 12, 2010.

The Texas Workers’ Compensation Rulebook Supplement 2010-01 containing rules adopted by the Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation is available online from the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC). The supplement can be printed from the TDI website at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/ rules/supplements.html

The Texas Department of Insurance (Department) is accepting public comment on the proposed amendments to 28 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §§12.1, 12.2, 12.4, 12.5, and 12.6; 12.101 - 12.106, 12.108, 12.110; 12.201, 12.202, and 12.204 - 12.208; 12.301 - 12.303, 12.402 - 12.406, 12.501, and 12.502 regarding Independent Review Organizations (IROs).  The proposal was published in the June 11, 2010 issue of the Texas Register (35 TexReg 4859) and may be viewed at http://texinfo.library.unt.edu /Texasregister/html/2010/jun-1 1/PROPOSED/28.INSURANCE.html#1 06 or through the Department’s website at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/ru les/2010/parules.html.

A recent publication offered some insightful and useful quotes and statistics regarding the Texas Workers Compensation System.  These quotes are in no particular order, and includes excerpts from a history of the Texas Workers' Compensation system.

In a comprehensive and detailed ruling published on June 11, the Connecticut State Board of Chiropractic Examiners states "After a careful and thorough review of all the testimony and documentary evidence admitted at the hearing, the Board concludes that there is sufficient evidence to establish that a stroke or a cervical arterial dissection is NOT a risk or side effect of a joint mobilization, manipulation or adjustment of the cervical spine."

Want to see who the Department of Workers Compensation has recently disciplined?  You'll find their press release in this article.

The Texas Register has reported new or amended TBCE Rules.  They are reported in full in this article.

A new brown bag series with all dates and cities are reported in this article.  These are free, informative and brief. 

The free sessions will provide information on the roles and responsibilities of the TDI-DWC and the OIEC and their unique relationship as two separate state agencies co-located in the field offices.