The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) held their Carrier Quarterly meeting on July 22nd, sharing several carrier updates, including its announcement of a new AI Innovation Office, implementation of remote interpreter services for hearings, increased audit and enforcement efforts, and an update on current rulemaking activity.
AI Innovation Office
The DWC announced the creation of a new Deputy Commissioner role for AI, Innovation and Integration, led by former Hearings Deputy Commissioner Alan Craddock. Commissioner Jeff Nelson said the new office will focus on agency efficiency, reduced administrative burden, internal process improvement, and monitoring the use of artificial intelligence in the workers’ compensation system.
Remote Interpreters Program
The DWC is preparing to implement remote interpreter services for contested case hearings using Zoom, with initial implementation expected in some field offices by the end of July. The agency expects the change to reduce continuances, improve interpreter access, and minimize travel-related delays.
Rulemaking and Audit Updates
The DWC discussed its proposal to replace the current MD Guidelines’ return-to-work duration with ODG by MCG’ return-to-work guidelines, citing rising subscription costs and the benefit of a single guideline source. Public feedback is encouraged during the formal comment period through August 31, with a public stakeholder meeting scheduled for August 24.
The DWC continues to advance a separate proposal to transition Texas from the AMA Guides 4th Edition to the AMA Guides 6th Edition (2025) for impairment ratings. Comments on the informal draft rule are due August 13, with a stakeholder meeting scheduled for August 12.
Also of note, DWC will be ramping up audit and enforcement efforts on death benefit and lifetime income benefit claims. DWC plans to audit these kinds of claims annually to more quickly identify underpayments and encourage more frequent carrier self-auditing. Carriers were notified that if they identify and correct underpayments before receiving an audit notice, they will not face enforcement penalties for those corrections.
Designated Doctors will also be seeing an increase in oversight efforts from the DWC. The DWC noted physician availability was the reported reason for about 86% of rescheduled exams; as a result, DWC will soon begin distributing scorecards to Designated Doctors to monitor Form-069 timeliness and reschedule rates.
The next quarterly meeting is expected to be scheduled in October. The complete agenda, slide deck and audio recording of the meeting is available on the DWC website.
