Protocols and Standards of Treatment

Protocols and standards of treatment for compensable injury shall be adopted pursuant to W.C.C.-R.P. 6.3(1) and may be updated or modified from time to time. They shall be maintained in the office of the administrator of the Medical Advisory Board. Rule 6.7. Impartial Medical Examiners and Independent Health Care Review Teams. - The following rules apply to the selection of physicians for impartial medical examiner positions and for physicians/health care providers who wish to participate on comprehensive health care review teams. The Medical Advisory Board may limit the number of impartial medical examiners in each specialty. (A) Qualifications. (1) The applicant/physician shall be Board Certified, if applicable, in a medical specialty certified by one of the following organizations: the American Board of Medical Specialties; the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists; or the American Board of Physician Specialties. Board-qualified physicians can obtain a provisional appointment for a period of five (5) years after completion of her/his medical training. (2) The applicant/physician/health care provider who seeks appointment as an impartial medical examiner must be willing and able to see employees subject to petitions before the Workers' Compensation Court within three (3) weeks of their appointment by the court and to render a written report, as described in subsection (C)(3) herein, to the office of the administrator of the Medical Advisory Board within a period of three (3) weeks. (B) Application. (1) The applicant/physician/health care provider must complete a form, the most current form is located on the Rhode Island Judiciary's website at www.courts.ri.gov under the heading of Forms, Workers' Compensation Court, detailing a record of prior achievements, hospital staff appointments (where applicable), and an explanation of any past disciplinary action (where applicable). A current curriculum vitae (CV) must be attached. (2) Applications should be mailed to the Medical Advisory Board, Attn.: Office of the Administrator, Workers' Compensation Court, One Dorrance Plaza, Providence, RI 02903. (3) Each health care provider approved by the Medical Advisory Board as an impartial medical examiner shall apply for renewal every two (2) years on a form supplied by the Medical Advisory Board. A current CV shall be submitted with the renewal application. Page 26 of 35 February 2024 (C) Requirements. (1) Upon approval, each impartial medical examiner will be sworn in by the chief judge of the Workers' Compensation Court or the chief judge's designee. (2) Billing for impartial medical examinations scheduled by the court or the Medical Advisory Board shall be in accordance with the fee schedule established by the chief judge, with the advice of the Medical Advisory Board. (3) Reports shall be issued in the format set forth on Form MAB05, the most current form is located on the Judiciary's website at www.courts.ri.gov under the heading of Forms, Workers' Compensation Court.