(A) The retirement board shall appoint an
independent physician to serve as chair of the medical review board and as
medical advisor to the retirement board. The chair so appointed shall:
(1) Request and review medical evidence from
the applicant or applicant's attending physicians and other relevant sources
regarding the nature, findings, extent, treatment, duration and functional
limitations imposed by the conditions the applicant's
attending physician claims as disabling.
Any medical evidence or other information submitted by or on
behalf of an applicant or recipient that is determined by the chair of the
medical review board to not be objective or pertinent to the applicant's or
recipient's claimed medical condition will not be considered, including
duplicate records, internet articles or medical records not related to the
current application or reexamination.
(2) Assign and oversee competent and
impartial independent medical examiners to conduct the medical examinations and
tests the chair deems necessary and appropriate to the evaluation of an
application. Examinations will be assigned only for conditions listed as
disabling by the attending physician and supported by
objective medical evidence. The independent medical examiners shall
provide written reports of their findings and conclusions as to whether
applicants are mentally or physically incapacitated from the performance of
regular duties for a period of at least twelve months from the date the
completed application was received.
(3) Review the reports of the independent
medical examiners. Once the chair is satisfied that no further examinations or
tests are needed, a recommendation shall be submitted to the retirement board
if the chair concurs with the conclusions of the independent medical examiner
or examiners that an applicant is or will be mentally or physically
incapacitated from regular duties for a period of at least twelve
months.
(4) If the chair reviews
the conclusions of the independent medical examiners and concludes that an
applicant or recipient is not incapacitated from the performance of regular
duties or will not remain incapacitated for at least twelve months, the chair
shall convene a panel of three or more members of the medical review board who
shall review the application, medical evidence, and reports of the independent
medical examiners. The panel may request medical evidence or obtain such
further examinations and tests as it may deem necessary and appropriate and may
direct delay of consideration of an application for treatment.
(5) Submit to the retirement board a report
summarizing the conclusions and recommendations of the panels of the medical
review board members.
(6) Attend
and participate in hearings pursuant to rule
3307:1-7-05
of the Administrative Code as the medical advisor to the retirement
board.
(7) Recommend to the
retirement board independent physicians from a wide range of medical expertise
and specialties to serve as members of the medical review board.
(B) The retirement board shall
designate independent physicians to serve as members of the medical review
board.