Code of Colorado Regulations
1100 - Department of Labor and Employment
1101 - Division of Workers' Compensation
7 CCR 1101-3 Rules 1-17 - Rules 1 - 17: RULES OF PROCEDURE (Rule 17 exhibits published separately)
7 CCR 1101-3-17-17 - Medical Treatment Guidelines

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024

17-1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The Director adopts the Medical Treatment Guidelines pursuant to § 8-42-101 (3.5)(a)(II). The purpose of these Guidelines is to comply with § 8-40-102(1) and assure the quick and efficient delivery of disability and medical benefits to injured workers at a reasonable cost to employers, without the necessity of any litigation.

17-2. USE OF THE MEDICAL TREATMENT GUIDELINES

(A) All health care providers shall use the Medical Treatment Guidelines promulgated by the Director, as required by § 8-42-101(3)(B).

(B) Payers shall routinely and regularly review claims to ensure that care is consistent with the Division's Medical Treatment Guidelines.

17-3. PROVIDER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

(A) The health care provider shall prepare a diagnosis-based treatment plan that includes specific treatment goals with expected time frames for completion in all cases where treatment falling within the purview of the Medical Treatment Guidelines continues beyond 6 weeks.

(B) Within 14 days of request by any party, the provider shall supply a copy of the treatment plan both to the patient and to the payer. Should the patient otherwise require care that deviates from the Medical Treatment Guidelines, the provider shall supply the patient and the payer with a written explanation of the medical necessity for such care.

17-4. PROCEDURE FOR QUESTIONING CARE

(A) The Medical Treatment Guidelines set forth reasonable medical care for high cost or high frequency categories of occupational injury or disease. However, the Division recognizes reasonable medical care may include deviations from the Guidelines in individual cases.

The provider shall request Prior Authorization if the proposed treatment falls outside the Medical Treatment Guidelines or if the Guidelines or Division Rules require Prior Authorization for a proposed treatment. The provider may submit a Notification to Treat to receive a guarantee of payment.

(B) Rule 16 governs the contest of a request for Prior Authorization or a claim for payment.

17-5. EXHIBITS TO RULE 17

(A) Exhibit 1 - Low Back Pain

(B) Exhibit 2A - Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

(C) Exhibit 2B - Moderate/Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

(D) Exhibit 3 - Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

(E) Exhibit 4 - Shoulder Injury

(F) Exhibit 5 - Cumulative Trauma Conditions

(G) Exhibit 6 - Lower Extremity

(H) Exhibit 7 - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome / Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

(I) Exhibit 8 - Cervical Spine Injury

(J) Exhibit 9 - Chronic Pain Disorder

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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